3 Reasons to get excited about Wendy Wus new river cruise boat – the Victoria Mekong

One of the most recognised names in the travel industry, Wendy Wu Tours, will be launching their brand new river cruise boat in December 2019, giving you the opportunity to sail up and down the Mekong Delta, in luxury, as part of a wider escorted tour.

Youll enjoy cruising to destinations along a Vietnam and Cambodia-based itinerary, in 4 star quality, with a spacious cabin and gourmet meals. When you reach each port, youll have the chance to stroll around with the tour guide, take exploratory trips on rickshaws and electric bikes, as well as visit temples, farms and iconic places of interest.

Youll spend 3 or 4 nights on the boat, relaxing and makingthe most of its high quality services. Today were going to look at what makesthis boat different, whats included on the tours associated with it, and thesort of experiences you can expect to have.

1. The boat itself offers state of the art features

One of the biggest complaints cruise aficionados make isabout the size of the cabins. You wont be complaining on the Victoria Mekong.For a cabin, its very spacious, fitted with contemporary furnishings, anensuite bathroom, and best of all youll have your own personal balcony! Youllbe able to watch life on the riverbanks of the Mekong from the privacy of yourown personal outdoor space as you drift lazily past.

Of course, there are plenty of communal areas too; allperfect for socialising with other passengers. Theres a sundeck, a lounge areawith a bar, and the restaurant, where youll get a taste of southeast Asianfood, as prepared by the on board chefs.

To give you an idea of what to expect, dishes in this partof the world are fresh and aromatic, often with rice or noodles as a base andpacked full of flavour. Ginger, lemongrass, lime, soy and coriander arecommonly used, as are mint and basil. The seafood here is exceptional. Therewill also be international cuisine, should you prefer something more familiar.

You wont get bored traveling between destinations, as theVictoria Mekong is equipped with facilities to keep you entertained. Theres apool and a games room, not to mention a spa centre, where you can book yourselfin for a massage or a treatment. Entertainment will also be provided in theform of heritage music and dance evenings, as well as talks on the areas youregoing to visit.

2. Your cruise is part of an exciting wider itinerary

Wendy Wu is currently offering 4 different tours that include the Victoria Mekong cruise as part of them; each of them slightly different. Lets take a look at the main tour which Wendy Wu feature: the places you could see on your travels:

Classic Mekong

This is a 17 day trip, that will take you to all the destinations on the shorter Mekong Experience, but also to Hoi an and Hanoi as well. In Hoi an, which is a famous stop along the ancient Silk Road, youll cross the iconic pink Japanese covered bridge, visit the Chau Ong Pagoda and enjoy a relaxing cup of Chai in the Reaching Out Tea House.

In Hanoi, also know as Paris of the Orient, youll visitthe Temple of Literature and the Museum, as well as walk around the 1930sFrench-inspired architecture. Youll take a step even further back in time,when you walk down around the Old Quarter, as some of the buildings here dateback to the 13th century. Youll be able to buy some interesting gifts from themerchants here, who sell artisan products made form silk, wood and silver.

No trip to Hoi an is complete without taking in a little ofthe history of Ho Chi Minh, credited with being the father of modern Vietnam.He gave Vietnam its Independence Day from the French in 1945. Youll visit hismausoleum, the Humble House on Stilts and the One Pillar Pagoda, all of whichhave a connection with the man himself.

This spectacular trip ends with a cruise around theimpressively picturesque Halong bay, where youll see caves, grottos, islands,the border with China, and the beautiful rock formations for which Halong Bayis famous. Youll stay on board and enjoy cocktails on the deck at sundown,before heading into the restaurant for your on board evening meal.

3. Off the beaten track experiences

Want a southeast Asian experience thats a bit out ofordinary and a great story to tell everyone back home? Wendy Wus Mekongexperiences will provide that. In Saigon, youll visit the Noir Resturant,where youll eat in the dark and be guided by visually impaired waiters throughyour meal.

In Siem Reap, after having explored the stilt houses ofKampong Phluk and the floating village of Chong Kneas, youll visit a Khmerfamily in their home and receive a cooking lesson from them, giving you thechance to learn how to prepare some traditional Khmer recipes.

Came on holiday to relax? Then youll be surprised to learn youll be having a go at some traditional farming techniques! In Tra Que village, in Hoi an, youll visit a community farm and learn about how the land is prepared, crop growing and the harvest, before having a go at raking and seeding. When you fly back to the UK, the seeds that were sewn in Vietnam will begin growing, leaving a little legacy of your trip for others to enjoy. Youll enjoy your authentic egg coffee afterwards as well.

Weve worked with Wendy Wu for many years. We are currently taking bookings for tours that include cruises on the Victoria Mekong when in launches in December. If youre ready to book, or you have some more questions, please get in touch with our staff. Wed be happy to help.