RV Tonle Pandaw

RV Tonle Pandaw ship was initially modelled on RV Pandaw 2 (launched in 2002) and originally named "Pandaw III". The riverboat was built in Yangon (Rangoon) and launched in 2002. It had a year’s service in Burma (2002-2003) before being relocated to Mekong River under tug-tow. Ever since the ship has done continuous service operating on cruises between Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and Kampong Cham.

In 2013, the vessel was fully refitted and its cabins number was reduced to just 24 in order to create an onboard gym, spa and library.

The Pandaw ship's namesake is Viking Tonle (2025-built).

The word "tonle" translates from Khmer as 'fresh water".

The Pandaw ship Tonle has 24 identical cabins (sized 16 m2 / 170 ft2).

All staterooms offer as standard amenities twin beds (some converting to double, all with premium mattresses, quality linens, duvet, two kinds of pillows), French windows, air-conditioning, spacious wardrobe, electronic safe box (in the closet), writing desk (vanity with chair and make-up mirror), under-bed storage (for suitcases), en-suite bathroom (WC, shower, washbasin, hairdryer, towels, slippers, bathrobes/kimonos, Spa-branded amenities), unlimited bottled water, Yoga mats (for in-cabin use), nightly turndown service. Onboard 24-hour laundry is also available. On all shore excursions are provided shoe cleaning and cold towel services (after), bottled water (Pandaw-branded aluminum bottles as giveaways), first aid-trained assistant guide.

Like on similar Pandaw ships, Tonle Pandaw passengers can spend leisure time on the aft part of the covered upper deck. Meals are served bistro-style indoor and outdoor on the upper deck. Breakfast is buffet style but preceded by light bites, tea and coffee for early risers. Lunch is served either buffet style or sit-down, while dinners are 4-course affairs. Pandaw's food ingredients are locally sourced and always fresh.

Domestic beers, spirits, soft drinks, coffee and tea are complimentary and served on the upper deck at the bar/library lounge. An open-bridge policy is in place. Wi-Fi is slow because of the remote regions traveled. However, some riverside ports in the cruise itinerary feature Internet shops.

Note: You can see CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.