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Debuting in January 2020, the Mekong Jewel is the most luxurious ship on the Mekong river. This all-suite Super ShipTM vessel includes two dining venues: one main restaurant and an al fresco eatery on the upper deck. The Mekong Jewel replaces the Mekong Navigator and was constructed with sustainable, eco-friendly materials, and features a swimming pool, spa, sauna and steam room, gym, hair salon, nail bar, two lounges, and a library.
I had served in Viet Nam in 1969-70, so I wanted to return and see the country. We started our trip in Hanoi, so it was very strange to be up where our “enemies” lived. The people were great! The history, as the communist country of Viet Nam depicted, was tainted to make them as being very gracious to our soldiers while they were there in prison at the Hanoi Hilton. Getting past that was doable, but created a scenario of how the communist government of Viet Nam would portray the war. Again, the people of Viet Nam were wonderful, and I believe genuine, in greeting and caring for us as tourist! The Cambodian experience was a real eye opener in that we were able to learn about their history and people, which was an unexpected highlight for us. Most of the crew on our ship, and of course the daily guides that stayed with us while we were in Cambodia were Cambodian. We really recommend seeing and experiencing the people and this country! What a history! It is so sad how China used and corrupted their governments to kill millions of them! Even today China makes their lives harder by controlling the water flow of the Mekong River! So sad!! When we finally arrived into Viet Nam via our fabulous ship, we were obviously on the Mekong River. It was so much larger than I had imagined, and was so much cleaner than what we had experienced with the Yangtze River in China!! Again, the people were very genuine and friendly! We were able to see their homes and life styles along the river, even visiting one of their schools. The Mekong Jewel and staff were fantastic!! Even with the 61 people on the cruise, the staff quickly learned our names, and food and drink favorites. The excursions were educational and usually appropriate in length. All and all, we were very sad to leave the ship and go to Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City, but it to opened our eyes to how the southern Viet Nam was developing their industries and appeared to be healthier than the northern area. We recommend Uniworld and this trip to anyone who is interested in history and Southeast Asia. Well done Uniworld!!
This all-suite Super ShipTM vessel includes two dining venues: one main restaurant and an al fresco eatery on the upper deck.
Vietnam
Nothing short of spectacular
From bustling capitals to rural villages, from ancient wonders to modern marvels, Vietnam is a destination that needs to be on every traveller’s bucket list. With Uniworld, you’ll do it all in style with an unrivaled degree of all-inclusive luxury. And importantly, we’ve structured this itinerary with a careful eye toward positive local impact.
The star of the trip is the Mekong Jewel, a vessel utterly in a class of its own. Its breezy design creates a feeling of tropical elegance. The sundeck is the perfect place to relax and watch the river float by, with a stunning, tiled pool for cooling off from a day’s explorations. And multiple onboard venues serve up the delicious flavors unique to the region you’re sailing through. The hotels we’ve selected in Vietnam are no less incredible, including an elegant Sofitel property in Hanoi and a magnificent Park Hyatt in Ho Chi Minh City.
Architecture
Every town and city you’ll visit in Vietnam has an entirely distinct look and feel. Walk the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City to see eclectic public buildings and dizzyingly high skyscrapers (an iconic experience here is to head to one of the skyscraper bars for incredible views of the city below). Slow things down for a stroll around the romantic French-Vietnamese architecture of Hanoi, and take in the centuries of history behind impressive religious structures like the Phuoc Lam Pagoda in Hoi An.
Cuisine
The cuisine of Vietnam makes excellent use of herbs and spices to lend rich, yet refreshing flavour to their dishes. You’ll find a wide variety of fish and meats served here, often with rice products. Vietnam is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of rice, and you’ll learn all about this staple and its importance to the region as you visit a local establishment where workers make everything from rice paper and rice wine to traditional rice candy.
Coffee
If you enjoy coffee, you must make sure to enjoy the ultra-strong but delightfully sweet styles popular in Vietnam. Of these, the most internationally popular is what’s known as Vietnamese coffee, brewed somewhat like espresso in a unique metal cup called a phin that sits directly on top of your cup. When served, you’ll watch the drink drop slowly onto a generous base of sweetened condensed milk, which you can stir together when the phin has emptied. Another popular coffee drink, Egg Coffee, is pretty similar, but with egg yolks beaten into the sweetened condensed milk for an even richer taste.
Landscapes
Sail down the Mekong to immerse yourself in a lush jungle environment. Each day, you’ll leave your floating hotel—usually via small sampan boats—and set ashore to discover various island villages. You may even catch locals selling their wares on floating markets. And if you opt for the majestic Ha Long Bay extension, you’ll enter a unique landscape famous for the countless rocky islets dotting its waters.
The Mekong Jewel replaces the Mekong Navigator and was constructed with sustainable, eco-friendly materials, and features a swimming pool, spa, sauna and steam room, gym, hair salon, nail bar, two lounges, and a library.
All our cruises feature several options to get up, get going and stay fit, both onboard and onshore. Our seasoned wellness experts have an average tenure of ten years with Uniworld and continuously hone their craft with annual Ayurveda yoga and other trainings. They are there to lend their expertise to you.
Please note: This ship does not have facilities onboard to accommodate Kids/Teens.
