Inside $5.5M cruise ship that carries wealthy tourists on the Mekong River

The cruise was launched in 2019 by Victoria Mekong Cruises, a joint venture between Thien Minh, a Vietnamese hospitality group, and Wendy Wu Tours, a U.K. travel company.

The cruise departs from Victoria Can Tho Resort and carries tourists to some hidden gems in An Giang before heading to the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh.

Pham Huu Nghia, CEO of Victoria Mekong Cruise Company, said most guests are from wealthy countries such as Australia and the U.K.

In this picture is a suite that has a bedroom and living area, each with large picture windows.

The vessel has 16 cabins on the so-called River Deck, 17 on the Panorama Deck and two suites.

Each has a French window and private balcony that allow guests to admire people’s daily life on the Mekong River.

Interiors inside the 45-square-meter suite.

A three-day tour from Can Tho to Tan Chau in An Giang in a suite costs VND36.8 million (US$1,470) during the high season from October to March.

Deluxe river and panorama rooms cost VND17.8 and VND19.8 million.

Foreign tourists in the swimming pool on board.

A lounge bar onboard where guests are entertained with don ca tai tu (traditional southern Vietnamese music) performances at night.

Guests are offered free mineral water, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and local beers all day.

Foreign tourists enjoy a don ca tai tu performance.

Alison, an Australian tourist who was with her husband on a tour in early April, said they were visiting Vietnam for three weeks and this was her first cruise on the Mekong.

"Great experience and beautiful landscapes. The vessel is so large with modern facilities."

The ship has a mini theater with 3,000 movies.

The restaurant where guests are served Asian and western foods.

There is a small library on board.

The rooftop skydeck for guests to enjoy cocktails and admire sunrises and sunsets.

During the three-day-two-night journey, guests are taken by small boats to the Long Xuyen floating market, An Giang Market and Tiger Islet before heading to the border town of Tan Chau to explore a Cham silk weaving village and fish farming village on the Hau River.

Those choosing a longer trip go on to Phnom Penh in Cambodia.

Rod Drake (R) from Australia drinks cocktails with a friend on the rooftop skydeck at sunset.

He said: “The cruise is modern and large with good quality service. It’s really great to enjoy sunset views from here.”

A golf putting green on the skydeck.