The Next River Cruise Frontier: North Vietnam

Pandaw Cruises is building a new ship to expand its roster of ten-day river expeditions through North Vietnam’s Red River and Halong Bay region.

Pandaw says it is seeing increasing interest in the Red River route, which is beyond the reach of typical river tour boats. The itinerary takes travellers from the limestone karsts of Halong Bay through a network of canals and rivers across the Red River delta, into the heart of Hanoi, and on to the hill country around Viet Tri. Along the way, guests visit rural villages, artisan workshops, and farms, offering a glimpse into daily life in northern Vietnam. Time in Hanoi includes visits to major cultural landmarks including museums, temples, and French colonial historical sites.

The RV Hanoi Pandaw is being built at a shipyard in Haiphong. With sixteen staterooms, the RV Hanoi Pandaw is a sister ship to the Angkor Pandaw, which has operated on the route for several years. Designed in Pandaw’s signature colonial style, it will feature elegant brass and teak finishes, offering guests the charm of a bygone era with modern comfort, the company says. The inaugural sailing of RV Hanoi Pandaw is scheduled for November 1, 2026

“North Vietnam is one of the last frontiers for river exploration in Asia,” said Pandaw founder Paul Strachan. “Much of this region remains untouched by mainstream tourism, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to offer travellers a more intimate and immersive journey through its rivers and rural communities. The RV Hanoi Pandaw will allow us to deepen that experience, bringing our guests even closer to the cultural and natural richness of this extraordinary region.”

Pandaw was one of the pioneers of Southeast Asia river cruises. Founded in 1995, it was the first company to offer live-aboard river voyages in Myanmar on both the Irrawaddy and Chindwin rivers, and it was one of the biggest operators of river cruises on the Mekong River in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

In addition to operating riverboats in Southeast Asia under the Pandaw name, the company has operated vessels under charter for European river cruise brands including Avalon Waterways and Viking River Cruises. More information is available on Pandaw’s website. 

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