Mekong Jewel

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.