Viking Cruises

26 | V O Y A G E R e Mekong River A Viking journey along the fabled Mekong follows Asia's road less travelled through lush landscapes and extraordinary natural beauty. The Mekong is one of the most important rivers in Southeast Asia, in every sense. From its source in the glacial waters of Mount Guozongmucha in the Tibetan Plateau, the 12th longest river in the world flows for 4,350 km before spilling into the South China Sea via a vast and intricate delta in the south of Vietnam. THE LIFEBLOOD OF SOUTHEAST ASIA Some 60 million people, from Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, live in the lower Mekong basin, and depend on the river for drinking water, food, irrigation, power, transport and commerce. WHERE THE RIVER FLOWS From its source, the Mekong laces together a tableau of rapids and whirlpools, sedate backwaters and emerald floodplains. In its youthful stages, the river flows through the eastern section of the Tibet Autonomous Region and China's tropical Yunnan Province where it is known as Lancang Jiang (Turbulent River), after which it forms part of the border between Myanmar and Laos. At the crossroads of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, known as the 'Golden Triangle', the river is referred to as Mae Nam Kong (Mother Water). Here, the course widens and the Mekong splits into several channels that wind their way around a huge collection of islands. After crossing from Cambodia to Vietnam, this serene waterway fans out into a 40,000-square-kilometre delta known as Cửu Long, or 'nine dragons.' YEARS OF EXPLORATION Explorers since the days of Kublai Khan have sought to conquer the fickle territories that surround the Mekong. Today it is modern travellers to Indochina who sail along this watercourse that connects a kaleidoscope of cultures. DID YOU KNOW? Cambodia's Tonle Sap Lake is fed by the river, creating one of the world's largest fisheries. Further south, the river's delta produces more than half the rice production of Vietnam and generates one third of the country's GDP. Clockwise, from left: River boat, Mekong River; Temple of Literature, Hanoi, Vietnam

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