Celebrity cruisers on a Mekong River cruise - Live(ish) report - September 2024

[Miaminice]

The next house was where they manufactured the actual clay stoves.
 

 

 

The men get up at 2 o’clock in the morning to prepare the clay, then it’s shaped in iron moulds before they give it the final touches by hand. The kiln they are placed in can hold up to 800 clay stoves.

 

 

 

 

 

We learned that they can make up to 1000 clay stoves a month and sell them for around $2 a piece. Their profit margin is an average of 60%. A family of four people makes good living from that. 
 

The family lives next to or above their workshop and we got a nice look into their living quarters. The owner of the house, apparently the grandfather, explained that 14 people live in the two houses we saw - from grandparents to parents, grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

 

 

 

After this interesting presentation we returned to our ship where we were welcomed with cold towels and refreshing juice again.

 

 

 

[waggie]

On 9/19/2024 at 3:56 PM, Miaminice said:

unfortunately these boards don’t get much attention. So I don’t think many people will read this 😢 But I will keep posting anyway 😁

Please do! I always enjoy your reports - and am re-living `Saigon and Mekong now.

[debfed65]

4 hours ago, waggie said:

Please do! I always enjoy your reports - and am re-living `Saigon and Mekong now.

 

 

I agree 100%......their reports and pictures are always top notch!

[PrivateIdaho]

On 9/19/2024 at 8:56 AM, Miaminice said:

unfortunately these boards don’t get much attention. So I don’t think many people will read this 😢 But I will keep posting anyway 😁

Please keep posting! I’m in the process of trying to plan a Mekong trip and this is very helpful. Im overwhelmed trying to decide on a cruise company and Victoria isn’t one I’d heard of. Question regarding your airline travel. Were you at all concerned flying over Ukraine and Russia?

[Miaminice]

4 hours ago, PrivateIdaho said:

Please keep posting! I’m in the process of trying to plan a Mekong trip and this is very helpful. Im overwhelmed trying to decide on a cruise company and Victoria isn’t one I’d heard of. Question regarding your airline travel. Were you at all concerned flying over Ukraine and Russia?

we specifically chose Viktoria because they are a Vietnamese company. On our previous trips we learned that Vietnamese hospitality and quality is top-notch. Of course the variety and stuff like entertainment etc. on board can’t be compared to an oceangoing cruise ship. However, quality is good, everything you need is there and, of course, the price was way better than with comparable cruise lines like AMA waterways or Viking. Plus, we really don’t like the colonial style design of those ships and much preferred the more contemporary style of Viktoria.
 

Was I worried about the flight? No, not at all. I couldn’t even tell you the exact flight route. I watched some movies, slept for a while, and never looked at the flight map once.

[Miaminice]

Mekong River Cruise, Vietnam and Cambodia, 2024 -September - Day 5 - Vam Nao - Phu Tan - Part 2

After a nice lunch and a little rest we entered the excursion boat again for our last excursion in Vietnam.

Sailing along the banks of the Mekong we had seen one fish farm after another.
 

 

Our guide explained that this region alone has over 3500 of them. Today we were going to visit one of them farming Pangasius catfish.
 

When we arrived, they were just about to transfer all the fish to a boat, because they needed to repair the cage of the farm. Two divers, their air supply consisting of a hose in their mouth which was attached to a compressor, spread out a net under the fish.

 

 

 

In a combined effort the workers then pulled in the net, caught the fish with baskets and transferred them to the boat via a slide.

 

 

 

We were told that it costs around $ 80k - 100k to build a fish farm. So, are you up for a second career?

 

Edited Saturday at 07:00 AM by Miaminice

[Miaminice]

In the evening we were looking forward to a lion and dragon dance performance.

 

 

A local group came on board and performed the symbolic traditional art form in their homemade costumes and masks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dance dates back to ancient times and features two Vietnamese good luck animals - the lion and the dragon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Justpackingmybags]

Following - this is a definite bucket list trip for me!

[cruisetonowhere10]

On 9/19/2024 at 9:31 AM, Ciaranaman said:

Where is everyone?  I think I'm the only one who followed you over to this report 🤣.  Your river accommodations look fabulous.  I could certainly handle a week of that!  I'm pretty sure I'd pass on the pork belly entree but everything else sounds wonderful!  I hope you enjoy your 1st excursion!  Looking forward to seeing your pics!

~Bernadette

I’m here…later than you though… 🙂

[villauk]

Following 👍. We’d like to do a river cruise, so interested to see how yours progresses.

[marne-c]

@MiaminiceWow!  I followed your link from the Celebrity board.  What a fantastic trip you are having!  And you are telling it so well.

 

Like @PrivateIdaho, I had never heard of Victoria Mekong Cruises.  But now I'm intrigued!  

 

I will continue to follow your posts.  MANY thanks!

 

 

--Marne

 

P.S.  Please tell how you found Rose.

 

 

Edited Saturday at 08:44 PM by marne-c

[Ciaranaman]

Darn, the videos "can't be found".  However, I do love the pic of Birgit with the dragon!  She's sure having a great time on your tour.  I think I commented, before, that her smile is very contagious.  Love it!

~Bernadette

[Miaminice]

4 hours ago, Ciaranaman said:

Darn, the videos "can't be found".  However, I do love the pic of Birgit with the dragon!  She's sure having a great time on your tour.  I think I commented, before, that her smile is very contagious.  Love it!

~Bernadette

Unfortunately the internet is very slow an upload failed a few times. 
i will try again later. 😢👍

[Miaminice]

 

 

 

[Miaminice]

 

 

 

[Suzi66]

I've just got here as well.  I really love all your livish reports and this is no exception as it has always been a bucket list trip for me.

Your photos are just wonderful.

[Miaminice]

Mekong River Cruise, Vietnam and Cambodia, 2024 -September - Day 6 - Way to Phnom Penh 

After anchoring overnight, our ship continued to sail into Cambodia. Of course the entertainment on such a small ship is much different from that on a big cruise ship.
 

 

 

 

At 9am I went on a ship tour, and it was interesting to see some of the technical areas - but didn’t take long.
 

 

 

 

 

Besides that we easily spent the day by relaxing on the pool deck, reading or posting on the internet. Interrupted, of course, by lunch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Around 5pm we started to see the skyscrapers of Phnom Penh. 

 

 

 

After tying up to the side of a Viking ship, we had to do a brief immigration check before having dinner. Tonight we were offered a BBQ buffet, which was really good.

 

 

There was a dance performance after dinner but Birgit and I decided that we’d rather go for a walk along the shore. A night market and the Royal Palace were just around 30 minutes away on foot - a chance to get some exercise. And to take some nice photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited Sunday at 11:20 AM by Miaminice

[Mickey22]

Just loving your review, your pictures are always excellent, feels like we are right there with you!

         Jane

 

[Miaminice]

15 hours ago, marne-c said:

Please tell how you found Rose

Before Covid we had planned a tour in Vietnam with her. When the cruise was cancelled, we stayed in touch. Eventually - when we could finally do the cruise - she planned all of our tours in Vietnam. And boy, is she amazing. A few people followed our recommendation. All came back raving about the experience. We still keep in touch with her via Facebook. She’s absolutely lovely.
If you like, I can give you the contact information. 

[marne-c]

1 hour ago, Miaminice said:

Before Covid we had planned a tour in Vietnam with her. When the cruise was cancelled, we stayed in touch. Eventually - when we could finally do the cruise - she planned all of our tours in Vietnam. And boy, is she amazing. A few people followed our recommendation. All came back raving about the experience. We still keep in touch with her via Facebook. She’s absolutely lovely.
If you like, I can give you the contact information. 

 

@Miaminice  Yes, please!

 

--Marne

[Miaminice]

16 minutes ago, marne-c said:

 

@Miaminice  Yes, please!

 

--Marne

 

 

Number +84374372918 (also on whatsapp)
Email: Nhungnguyen.ulis@gmail.com

If you let her know that Oliver & Birgit sent you, she‘ll take extra good care of you.

Although, she always does… it’s simply her way! 

Edited Sunday at 01:57 PM by Miaminice

[educated palate]

On 9/18/2024 at 7:59 PM, Miaminice said:

When we reached Can To and the Victoria Mekong, our luggage was taken to our stateroom and was already waiting for us after we had a welcome drink.

 

Our stateroom was large, modern and inviting - we were sure we’d enjoy our time in our home for the next week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once we finished unpacking it was time to explore the ship. I will let the photos do the talking…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for sharing such detailed pictures.  You are fabulous at capturing the "feel" of the cruise! They should hire you for PR :).

 

[educated palate]

1 hour ago, Miaminice said:

 

 

Number +84374372918 (also on whatsapp)
Email: Nhungnguyen.ulis@gmail.com

If you let her know that Oliver & Birgit sent you, she‘ll take extra good care of you.

Although, she always does… it’s simply her way! 

Yay Rose!

[marne-c]

3 hours ago, Miaminice said:

[Rose:]

Number +84374372918 (also on whatsapp)

Email: Nhungnguyen.ulis@gmail.com

If you let her know that Oliver & Birgit sent you, she‘ll take extra good care of you.

Although, she always does… it’s simply her way! 

 

@Miaminice  Thank you!  I will WhatsApp her to say hello.  Debbie and I have not current plants to travel to Viet Nam, but your thread sure is making a trip there likely!

 

--Marne

[Lastdance]

Sure brings back a lot of memories from the past.  Thanks for sharing your river cruise, as I haven’t done one yet, but do plan on trying it!  You two look like you are having so many cultural experiences!