Construction of luxury cruise ship project in Ho Chi Minh City begins, changing Mekong River tourism

The Mekong Lover is a luxury cruise ship project built in Ho Chi Minh City, with a total investment of more than 100 billion VND. Expected to be completed in October 2026, the ship will bring classy journeys to explore the Mekong River, new experiences for tourists.

Representatives of the four parties at the signing ceremony of the luxury cruise ship construction project in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: FTG

On February 19, the signing ceremony of the Mekong Lover project marked an important milestone in Vietnam's river tourism industry. The project was invested by Focus Travel Group (FTG) - the Mekong River tourism operator - in coordination with leading partners in the field of shipbuilding and maritime technology.

The expected completion time is 16-18 months, with each room on the ship costing between $150,000 and $250,000. There are 36 luxury rooms in total.

Mekong Lover is designed to international standards with 32 cabins, each with its own balcony, providing maximum privacy and comfort for guests.

The cruise also integrates high-end amenities such as an infinity pool, creating a feeling of relaxation in the middle of nature. Art performance stage, with opera shows, Khmer dance and Vietnamese - Cambodian art, luxurious culinary space, serving specialties of the river region.

Changing the landscape of Mekong River tourism?

Previously, international cruise ships on the Mekong River often spent most of their journey in Cambodia, with Vietnam only being a transit point. Currently, 8-day, 7-night tours on the Mekong River usually only spend 2-3 days in Vietnam, the rest in Cambodia. Although Mekong River tourism has developed since 2004, tourism products still lack breakthroughs.

According to Mr. Dang Bao Hieu - Chairman of Focus Travel Group (FTG), Mekong Lover will offer more flexible travel packages such as 4 days 3 nights or 5 days 4 nights, attracting Vietnamese tourists, overseas Vietnamese and Southeast Asian tourists, instead of focusing only on the European market as before.

"Until now, Mekong River tourists have mainly been Europeans. However, we want to expand our target audience, targeting Southeast Asian tourists and especially Vietnamese people with high spending power.

Many Vietnamese people, especially those in the Northern Delta, or overseas Vietnamese returning to their homeland, also want to explore the Mekong River and learn about the cultural identity along this river. Mekong Lover will help elevate the river tourism experience, bringing more attractive options to domestic and international tourists," said Mr. Dang Bao Hieu.

Extending the length of stay of tourists in Vietnam not only helps increase revenue from tourism services, restaurants, and shopping, but also promotes local economic development, towards a sustainable and innovative river tourism model.

The ship is manufactured in Ho Chi Minh City, and is undertaken by a Vietnamese enterprise.

Vietnam Shipbuilding Engineering Joint Stock Company (VISEC) is responsible for the technical design, ensuring the ship has a solid structure, suitable for the flow conditions on the Mekong River.

Saigon Shipbuilding Industry Company Limited (SSIC) is in charge of construction, realizing the drawings into a yacht that meets international operating standards.

Vietnam Marine Engineering and Technology Company Limited (VIMATEC) is responsible for quality supervision, ensuring that every stage from design to completion complies with technical standards.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/khoi-cong-du-an-dong-tau-du-lich-hang-sang-tai-tp-hcm-thay-doi-du-lich-song-mekong-202502192029041.htm