Viking to Launch New Ship for Mekong River Cruises

Image: The Viking Tonle. (Photo Credit: Viking Cruises Media)
Image: The Viking Tonle. (Photo Credit: Viking Cruises Media)
Noreen Kompanik
by Noreen Kompanik
Last updated: 12:50 PM ET, Tue November 14, 2023

Viking announced the addition of a new ship to its river fleet in Southeast Asia. Designed for the Mekong River, the Viking Tonle will join its sister ship, the Viking Saigon, which debuted in 2022, sailing between Kampong Cham, Cambodia and Mỹ Tho, Vietnam, as part of Viking's popular 15-day Magnificent Mekong itinerary.

The ship is under construction and scheduled to debut in October 2025. To meet the strong demand for its Mekong River voyages, Viking has added sailing dates in 2025 and has opened the 2026 season for booking.

"The rich history and culture of Vietnam and Cambodia have always made the Mekong River a fascinating destination for our guests," said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. "With the addition of an identical sister ship in 2025, we look forward to introducing even more curious travelers to the treasures of this fantastic region in the years to come."

Built specifically to navigate the Mekong River, the new three-deck Viking Tonle will host 80 guests in 40 outside staterooms. Featuring the clean Scandinavian design for which Viking is known, all staterooms have hotel-style beds and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with a Veranda or French Balcony. Guests will also enjoy a spa and fitness center, pool and open-air sky bar on its upper deck.

During the 15-day journey, guests will explore the cultural treasures of Vietnam and Cambodia with 16 guided tours.

Hotel stays in Hanoi, Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) bracket an eight-day Mekong River voyage. Guests can explore the Old Quarter of Hanoi and attend a performance by Apsara dancers, taste the distinctive fresh ingredients from bustling markets and local restaurants, wander the Khmer temple complex of Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit Ta Prohm, where jungle vines embrace ancient ruins and see the sights of Phnom Penh by cyclo rickshaw.

On the river portion of the itinerary, guests can discover silk towns, fishing villages, monasteries and floating markets.

Through November 30, 2023, Viking is offering its Explorers Sale with a $25 deposit, reduced airfare, and special fares on select ocean, expedition and river voyages, including the Magnificent Mekong itinerary.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

Get To Know Us Better

Agent At Home

Helping leisure selling travel agents successfully manage their at-home business.

Subscribe For Free

Agent Specialization: Group Travel

Laurence Pinckney

Laurence Pinckney

CEO of Zenbiz Travel, LLC

About Me
Agent At Home

Helping leisure selling travel agents successfully manage their at-home business.

Subscribe For Free

Agent Specialization: Group Travel

Laurence Pinckney

Laurence Pinckney

CEO of Zenbiz Travel, LLC

About Me

Become A Travel Expert

RSVP Today: Romance, Weddings & Honeymoons Expo - Sept 13-14Virtual Travel Events is the leading virtual event platform for travel advisors and travel industry...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Sarasota Specialist ProgramRelax and do nothing, enjoy a vibrant arts scene or take part in a wide range of action-packed outdoor...
Start Learning: Become a Tokyo SpecialistYou will learn not only about some of Tokyo’s newest attractions but also how to make the best...
RSVP Today: Romance, Weddings & Honeymoons Expo - Sept 13-14Virtual Travel Events is the leading virtual event platform for travel advisors and travel industry...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Sarasota Specialist ProgramRelax and do nothing, enjoy a vibrant arts scene or take part in a wide range of action-packed outdoor...
Start Learning: Become a Tokyo SpecialistYou will learn not only about some of Tokyo’s newest attractions but also how to make the best...