September 2025
Exploring Together Again!
Kim and I are SO excited that we met John & Valerie on our 2023 Viking River Cruise on the Nile. We became instant friends and at the conclusion of our adventure the four of us agreed we needed to look for future cruises together. And so we've booked one! We will be heading to Southeast Asia in the Fall of 2025 aboard the Viking Saigon (newly launched in 2022) to sail along the mighty Mekong River as we travel through Vietnam & Cambodia. Kim and I went here in 2017 with Avalon, but we both have been anxious to revisit one of our favorite spots we've been. AND we will be adding a post-extension to Bangkok, Thailand - a place we have never been before! You can check out our 2017 trip along the Mekong river HERE.
September 11-14: Hanoi
September 12: Day 1
Arrive and check in to your hotel. A French-conceived colonial city, no other destination better represents the contrasting nature of modern Vietnam than Hanoi. It was the capital of French Indochina from 1902 to 1954 and today boasts one of the most beautiful panoramas in the region, with more cultural sites than any other city in Vietnam. Amid more than 600 pagodas and temples, Hanoi’s Old Quarter displays the original streets and architecture from the early 20th century. A stroll along its historic streets is like stepping back in time.
September 13: Day 2
At the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter lies a labyrinth of narrow streets that, despite the noise levels, are well organized. Amid the bustle, a pattern of trade emerges from the street names, each dedicated to the products that have been produced and sold here for centuries. From Hàng Bạc (silver) to Hàng Bồ (baskets) and Hàng Bông (cotton) to Hàng Đào (silk), just about any item can be found at a store or market stall alongside a variety of Vietnam’s famous street food vendors.
September 14: Day 3
A treasure trove of tasty delights awaken the senses in the Vietnamese capital. Hanoi is famous for its delicious street food, serving up an array of dishes from all corners across the city. Steaming bowls of pho, a Vietnamese rice noodle soup, are served alongside marinated meats grilled to perfection. The café scene in Vietnam is equally as popular; egg coffee is a local specialty and a decadent cap to any meal. After breakfast, check out of your hotel. This afternoon, fly to your destination city and check into your hotel.
September 14-16: Siem Reap
September 14: Day 3, continued......
Gateway to the magnificent temples of Angkor Wat, Siem Reap boasts an atmospheric Old French Quarter where colonial-style buildings stand alongside Chinese architecture. Everywhere there is evidence of its place in history as a city with strong ties to its rural past. Still, Angkor Wat gets much of the attention; the UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, drawing not only historians and archaeologists but also the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Jackie Kennedy.
September 15: Day 4
The lasting legacy of the Khmer Empire is evident across many parts of Southeast Asia. The Khmer were known for their construction skills and ability to establish economic links with societies across the continent, trading in rice, fish and other goods via the Mekong River. The Khmer civilization was deeply embedded with Hindu and Buddhist beliefs, which are reflected in much of the country’s ancient architecture. The majestic monuments of Angkor Wat and Bayon pay tribute to the Khmer’s vast power and wealth, which at its peak was larger than Europe’s Byzantine Empire.
September 16: Day 5
From Siem Reap, a number of stunning smaller temples can be explored. The ruins of Ta Prohm Temple, featured in the movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, is a fascinating sight, with its collection of towers, courtyards and corridors of delicately carved stone enveloped by the vast roots of banyan trees. The center of Siem Reap enjoys a vibrant atmosphere with eateries offering a range of local and international cuisine, as well as stores that are open until late selling a variety of goods, from Khmer art and jewelry to handmade silks and lacquerware.
September 17-18: Kampong Cham
Board The Viking Saigon - Staterooms #102-103
September 17: Day 6
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and begin your journey to your embarkation city. The capital city of Kampong Cham province, which loosely translates to “the riverside of the Cham people,” is the sixth-largest city in Cambodia. Its streets, which spread away from the Mekong River, exude a pleasant French colonial charm. The Kizuna Bridge over the river, opened in 2001, is the first span to cross the Mekong in Cambodia. Another bridge, modest in comparison but no less impressive, is the elaborate bamboo bridge that, during the dry season, leads to Koh Paen island, where Khmer and Cham villages are mounted on stilts in anticipation of high water season.
September 18: Day 7
Amid the serene riverside setting of Kampong Cham’s provincial capital, life unfolds at a slow, relaxed pace. Few travelers venture off the beaten path to this ancient Asian city, but those who do make their way here soon find themselves captivated by quiet streets, friendly locals and a leisurely waterfront promenade. Among its most notable sights is Wat Nokor, a 12th-century temple complex predating Angkor Wat. It was constructed in black sandstone by Jayavarman VII, the Khmer king also responsible for the Ta Prohm and Bayon Temples.
September 19-20: Pnom Phen
September 19: Day 8
Time seems to have passed by Phnom Penh. Once known as the “Pearl of Asia,” this bustling Cambodian capital is home to charming French colonial architecture along relaxed boulevards, beautifully wrought pagodas and the monumental Angkorian complexes for which Cambodia is revered. The city’s park-like riverfront boasts plenty of inviting cafés and restaurants, and its rich collection of universities, museums and other institutions have grown into Cambodia’s center of cultural heritage.
September 20: Day 9
Twice chosen as Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh’s history is punctuated with periods of Khmer and French rule. More recently, the city has experienced rapid urbanization and has enjoyed a thriving cultural and food scene. Although often shadowed by the more well-known cuisine of neighbors Thailand and Vietnam, traditional Cambodian fare represents the flavors and techniques of one of the world’s oldest surviving culinary traditions: Khmer cuisine. In Phnom Penh, opportunities abound to sample its signature dishes, from savory fish amok to fresh nom banh chok rice noodles.
September 21: Scenic Sailing On The Mekong River
September 22
Tân Châu
September 23
Sa Ðéc
September 22: Day 11
A thriving border town on Mekong shores, Tân Châu occupies a rural district in the delta of Vietnam. Founded in the mid-18th century, its growing population has earned it an upgrade to a township. High-quality silk is produced here, skillfully woven in delicate traditional patterns and expertly dyed in bright colors. Sedge grass weaving is another long-held tradition, producing mats, baskets and other useful items. The surrounding terrain, crisscrossed by canals and smaller rivers, is mostly flat and supports rice fields and other agriculture.
September 23: Day 12
Located in southern Vietnam, Sa Ðéc is a French colonial river port as well as an agricultural trading center. Prior to the 19th century, it was one of the largest cities in the Mekong Delta. Today, it is a sleepy, laid-back town where tree-lined streets invite easy strolls and old villas are surrounded by orchards and markets selling flowers. The childhood home of Marguerite Duras, one of France’s best-known authors, Sa Ðéc gained attention as the setting of her autobiographical novel The Lover, which chronicled her affair with the son of a wealthy Chinese businessman.
September 24-25-26: Ho Chi Minh City
September 24: Day 13
After breakfast, disembark your ship and transfer to your destination. Founded as a small fishing village, Ho Chi Minh City is now Vietnam’s largest city. Though still commonly called Saigon, locals are as likely to simplify the name of their hometown to HCMC. No matter what you call it, it is a seamless blend of history and modern youthful energy, where pagodas and French colonial grandeur mingle with bustling old-world marketplaces and modern skyscrapers, all against a constant buzz of motor scooters and trill of bicycle bells. From enduring, narrow alleyways to wide, Parisian-style boulevards, Ho Chi Minh City has an identity all its own. Arrive and check in to your hotel.
September 25: Day 14
Ho Chi Minh City is a heady mix of French and Vietnamese cultures, where baguettes and croissants are sold alongside pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) and motor scooters buzz past colonial-era architecture. The city’s wide boulevards are reminiscent of Paris, lined with jewels such as the Opera House, fashioned after the Petit Palais, and the grand Central Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel. Aromatic food stalls and colorful shops purvey local specialties and all manner of Vietnamese wares, from conical hats to ao dai, the traditional silk tunic worn by women.
September 26: Day 15
Despite Ho Chi Minh City’s densely packed urban districts, there are several green spaces that can be enjoyed. In Tao Dan Park, locals can be spotted engaging in their daily morning exercise with a round of badminton, tai chi or the outdoor gym equipment. Afternoons welcome a number of classes, from aerobics to dance, attracting good-sized crowds. In addition to the wide open spaces, there are a variety of walking trails shaded by towering trees as well as water features and ponds to be admired. After breakfast, check out of your hotel and journey home.
September 26-28
Extension To Bangkok
September 26: Day 15 continued.....
After your final cruisetour breakfast, check out of your hotel. Fly to Bangkok and check in to your hotel, then get settled in. The rest of your day is at leisure; tour some of the various wats (monastery temples), explore Chinatown or shop at the Phahurat Market, also known as Little India. A Viking Host is available to help you plan your time in Bangkok so you can make the most of your visit.
September 27: Day 16
After breakfast, join a traditional longtail boat tour of the city’s canals and the Chao Phraya River. Explore the small canals of Thon Buri—Thailand’s former capital during the reign of King Taksin—and get treated to a view of Thai daily life along the riverbanks. On your return journey, stop for a visit at Wat Arun, known as the Temple of Dawn. Relax at your hotel this afternoon or perhaps enjoy a traditional Thai puppet theater or temple dance performance. (B)
September 28: Day 17
Today, tour Bangkok’s Grand Palace. Dating back to the late 1700s, this walled complex, featuring golden pagodas and spires, has been the royal family’s main residence for more than 150 years and houses the entire administrative seat of government. Venture through Bangkok’s Chinatown to Wat Pho, known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Take the rest of the day to shop; Bangkok offers everything from colorful open air markets to some of the most sophisticated shopping malls in the world. (B)
September 29: Day 18
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your return flight. (B)