Viking to Build New Mekong River Cruise Ship: Viking Tonle
Viking Tonle will be an identical sister ship to Viking Saigon (rendering), and they both sail exotic Mekong Rover itineraries.
Viking expanded its river fleet in Southeast Asia with the new Viking Tonle. This 80-passenger cruise ship joins the identical Viking Saigon, which debuted in 2022, for magical Mekong River cruises in Cambodia and Vietnam.
A Mekong River cruise offers so many incredible and memorable experiences. Doing a trip on a small ship while sailing to remote villages to interact with residents and learn about the history, culture and food is the best way to fully immerse yourself in such a special destination.
Viking Tonle will sail between Kampong Cham, Cambodia, and My Tho, Vietnam as part of Viking’s popular 15-day Magnificent Mekong itinerary. The ship is under construction and is expected to debut in October 2025.
Cruisers have been increasingly interested in experiencing river voyages on waterways in parts of the world outside of the traditional Rhine and Danube River trips that get most travelers hooked.
Mekong River voyages are growing in popularity, and Viking has added sailing dates in 2025 and opened the entire 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.
We took a Mekong River cruise with Avalon Waterways, and this adventure was a special experience (video below) as we started in Cambodia and ended in Vietnam. I’ll never forget the special people and places we were exposed to on this trip. It has been a highlight of all of my travels.
About Viking Tonle
Built specifically to navigate the Mekong River, Viking Tonle carries up to 80 cruisers 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 balcony or French balcony. Other amenities include a spa and fitness center, pool, the open-air Sky Bar on the top deck, free WiFi and a laundry room.
The main dining room offers regional cuisine and popular favorites, and diners can enjoy panoramic views through floor-to-ceiling windows. The ship also features a library, shop and a lounge with a bar that serves as the main community space.
Magnificent Mekong Itineraries
During this 15-day journey, travelers 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 on this unique itinerary, during which you can enjoy exploring the Old Quarter of Hanoi and attending a performance by Apsara dancers; tasting the distinctive fresh ingredients from bustling markets and restaurants; wandering the Khmer temple complex of Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; visiting Ta Prohm, where jungle vines embrace ancient ruins; and seeing the sights of Phnom Penh by cyclo rickshaw. On the river voyage portion of the itinerary, the cruise visits silk towns, fishing villages, monasteries and floating markets.