Launching in mid-2023 Pandaw's RV Song Hong ("Red River") will join the fleetmate RV Angkor on her routing through the Red and Black River network in North Vietnam from homeport Halong Bay/Ha Long City to the mountains beyond.
Due to the popularity of RV Angkor and as she books out months in advance there is a need for a second boat on the route.
With just 10 enlarged staterooms, going a bit larger than the classic Pandaw cabin, the riverboat, like all Pandaw ships, will have an ultra-shallow draft to enable safe navigation on the region's tricky waterways.
Pandaw started Red River voyages in 2015 and it has been one of the company’s most successful itineraries offering an insight into North Vietnam's culture, unique scenery as well as time to enjoy the capital Hanoi.
Pandaw's founder Paul Strachan said that only on one of their very clever, smaller Pandaws could they do what they did in so navigationally challenging environment as the Red River, which fitted with increasing demand from their regulars for smaller ships that could go deeper.
The newbuild will be constructed in the region at Haiphong and fitted out in hardwood from sustainable forestry. RV Song Hong will have the usual Pandaw promenades running around the vessel that are conducive to a convivial atmosphere onboard and a choice of indoor/outdoor dining in the spacious saloon/aft deck.