Viking Oceans Cruises – Southeast Asia & Hong Kong (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China) 15 Days

Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand
Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Often called the “City of Angels,” Bangkok is Thailand’s largest and most populous city. A sprawling and heady mix of modern skyscrapers, floating markets and longtail boats skimming the Chao Phraya River, the scintillating capital of old Siam engages all the senses. Yet it all seems devoutly grounded by the presence of its revered gilded wats, or temples. Wat Arun, in particular, can be seen from all corners of the city. This majestic riverside “Temple of Dawn” catches the first light of each day like a pearl, casting a soft glow on one of Asia’s most remarkable cities.

Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand
Historic Siam of old, Bangkok is beautifully set on the Chao Phraya River. Thai culture is rich and engaging in this bustling center, and its origins are reflected through centuries-old Buddhist wats, or temples. The towering Wat Arun, named for the god of the rising sun, stands dramatically on the river’s banks. The revered temples and elegant buildings within the walls of the renowned Grand Palace date to the late 1700s. A gilded array of golden pagodas and stupas (shrines), it has been the royal family’s residence for more than 150 years.

Shore Excursions – Panoramic Bangkok
Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes
See the highlights of Bangkok during a panoramic tour designed to help you make the most of your time. Straddling the winding Chao Phraya River, this fascinating metropolis blends Thailand’s cherished traditions with the advances of the modern world. View the vibrant streets of Chinatown, one of the city’s oldest areas. Drive along the famous Ratchadamnoen Road, the Royal Way, a tree-lined boulevard commissioned by King Chulalongkorn after he visited the grand cities of Europe in 1897. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant, where you will sample the cuisine of Thailand. Then, visit the ornate Wat Ratchanatdaram, a royal temple best known for the Loha Prasart or Iron Castle. The main structure, built in 1846, features a golden Buddha and beautiful mural paintings. Enjoy a guided tour as you learn about its history and stroll the manicured gardens before returning to your ship.

Shore Excursions – Sihanoukville Discovery
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Enjoy an overview of Cambodia’s thriving beachside communities as you visit a temple and fishing village. Meet your guide and drive into the hills to Wat Krom. Within, you can admire its vivid murals and brightly colored sculptures depicting the Buddha. You may pause during your visit to talk with one of the resident monks who reside in the adjacent monastery. Return to the shore to walk along Independence Beach, following in the footsteps of Jacqueline Kennedy, who strolled these sands in 1967 during her Cambodia tour. Her visit helped to repair the relationship between the two countries and was fundamental in easing political tensions. Continue your journey along the coast to the tiny fishing village of Tumnob Rolok, where the pace of life is slow and fishermen prepare the day’s catch for market. After time to explore, you will return to your ship.

Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Sihanoukville has an abundance of beautiful beaches and a lively culture along its shores, drawing backpackers, young adventurers and other beach lovers to its long stretches of sand. One of its most famous beaches, the tree-shaded Independence Beach, was visited by Jacqueline Kennedy in 1967 during her tour of Cambodia. The clean, white sands of Otres Beach, lined with casuarina trees and coconut palms, are also a firm favorite. At Serendipity Beach, locals and visitors take in the seaside vistas from one of the many beachside outdoor cafés.

Shore Excursions – Sihanoukville Discovery
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Enjoy an overview of Cambodia’s thriving beachside communities as you visit a temple and fishing village. Meet your guide and drive into the hills to Wat Krom. Within, you can admire its vivid murals and brightly colored sculptures depicting the Buddha. You may pause during your visit to talk with one of the resident monks who reside in the adjacent monastery. Return to the shore to walk along Independence Beach, following in the footsteps of Jacqueline Kennedy, who strolled these sands in 1967 during her Cambodia tour. Her visit helped to repair the relationship between the two countries and was fundamental in easing political tensions. Continue your journey along the coast to the tiny fishing village of Tumnob Rolok, where the pace of life is slow and fishermen prepare the day’s catch for market. After time to explore, you will return to your ship.

Scenic Sailing: Gulf of Thailand
The Gulf of Thailand, the massive sea basin bordered by Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia, is still known as the Gulf of Siam to the Malay and Khmer people. Long stretches of sandy beach, low-lying emerald hills and soaring mountains surround this oval-shaped gulf. The lush hills of Botum Sakor National Park unfold north of Sihanoukville, Cambodia. Along Thailand’s shores, several beach-ringed islands point the way to Laem Chabang port.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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.

Shore Excursions – Scenic Ho Chi Minh City
Duration: 5 hours
Witness Ho Chi Minh City’s rich blend of Vietnamese traditions, Chinese influence and French colonial architecture. Join your guide and drive into the city, abuzz with scooters and bicycles. View the Reunification Palace, home to South Vietnam’s president during the Vietnam War. Continue past the soaring neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, with its twin bell towers, and the elegant Central Post Office—a masterwork of Gothic, Renaissance and French styles. Stop for photos at the Municipal Theater, which was modeled after the Opéra Garnier in Paris. See the ornate Jade Emperor Pagoda then head to Bình Tây Market, a colorful marketplace, famed for its clothing, handicrats and local art, before stopping at a lacquer workshop. Here, witness artisans at work and browse their finely crafted wares before returning to your ship.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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.

Shore Excursions – Scenic Ho Chi Minh City
Duration: 5 hours
Witness Ho Chi Minh City’s rich blend of Vietnamese traditions, Chinese influence and French colonial architecture. Join your guide and drive into the city, abuzz with scooters and bicycles. View the Reunification Palace, home to South Vietnam’s president during the Vietnam War. Continue past the soaring neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, with its twin bell towers, and the elegant Central Post Office—a masterwork of Gothic, Renaissance and French styles. Stop for photos at the Municipal Theater, which was modeled after the Opéra Garnier in Paris. See the ornate Jade Emperor Pagoda then head to Bình Tây Market, a colorful marketplace, famed for its clothing, handicrats and local art, before stopping at a lacquer workshop. Here, witness artisans at work and browse their finely crafted wares before returning to your ship.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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.

Shore Excursions – Scenic Ho Chi Minh City
Duration: 5 hours
Witness Ho Chi Minh City’s rich blend of Vietnamese traditions, Chinese influence and French colonial architecture. Join your guide and drive into the city, abuzz with scooters and bicycles. View the Reunification Palace, home to South Vietnam’s president during the Vietnam War. Continue past the soaring neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, with its twin bell towers, and the elegant Central Post Office—a masterwork of Gothic, Renaissance and French styles. Stop for photos at the Municipal Theater, which was modeled after the Opéra Garnier in Paris. See the ornate Jade Emperor Pagoda then head to Bình Tây Market, a colorful marketplace, famed for its clothing, handicrats and local art, before stopping at a lacquer workshop. Here, witness artisans at work and browse their finely crafted wares before returning to your ship.

Sail the South China Sea
The South China Sea has been one of the world’s major trade routes for centuries. Today, one-third of the world’s maritime shipping passes through its waters, which are also rich fishing grounds and potential energy resources. As you sail today, savor a range of international cuisine on board. Choose from a variety of international flavors at the World Café, enjoy al fresco dining on the Aquavit Terrace, or regional specialties in The Restaurant.

Hue (Chan May), Vietnam
Chan May serves as a gateway to the fascinating and historic city of Hue, scenically set along the Perfume River. From 1802 to 1945, this was the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors. Numerous historic monuments from that period remain, including the massive walled Imperial City, built in the 19th century, that once housed the country’s most extravagant temples and royal residences and was hailed as the center of politics, religion and culture. Among the Imperial City’s treasures are palaces, shrines and the Forbidden Purple City.

Shore Excursions – Da Nang & Mỹ Khê Beach
Duration: 5 hours
Immerse yourself in Central Vietnam’s Cham history and see a beach visited by US soldiers during the Vietnam War. En route to Da Nang, pass through Central Vietnam’s scenic countryside of fertile rice paddies and grazing water buffalo. Visit the sacred Linh Ung Pagoda, which harmoniously blends modern and traditional Vietnamese architecture. You will also stop at the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture, where fascinating sandstone sculptures and temple ornamentations date as far back as the 4th century. Dedicated to Vietnam’s indigenous Cham people and their Indian heritage, the exhibits and ornate exterior are crafted with objects of worship, including idols and holy animals that represent the Hindu faith. You will also travel to Mỹ Khê, a beach once frequented by US soldiers. Considered Vietnam’s most picturesque beach, enjoy a stop for photos on the shore before returning to your ship.

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
More than 1,600 islands of towering limestone dot the seascape of Ha Long Bay. Among them, Vietnam emerges at its most authentic. Fishermen cast their nets into the bay, villages hug the shores and children play in the waters as traditional junks drift by. As local lore has it, dragons created this magnificent place when the gods sent them to the coast to protect locals from marauders. The protective beasts breathed countless jewels into the bay, sinking the approaching ships—and creating a spellbinding canvas of mystical-looking monoliths.

Shore Excursions – Ha Long Bay by Boat
Duration: 3 hours
Embark on a scenic cruise by motorboat through one of the world’s most magnificent landscapes. Ha Long Bay is home to about 2,000 limestone islands rising from the water to astonishing heights. Legend says they were created by dragons who breathed out jewels into the bay to prevent enemy ships from coming ashore. For centuries, fishermen and merchants have navigated this archipelago, a labyrinthine waterway framed by vertical cliffs draped in brush and forest. Board a motorboat and follow in their wake, taking in the views as you travel—the bay was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1994 for its exceptional natural beauty and geological significance. As you join the countless sailors who have explored these waters before, observe the fishermen casting their nets and the soaring heights of karst walls. After your cruise, return to your ship.

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, Ha Long Bay’s more than 1,600 islands and islets form a stunning seascape of towering limestone pillars surrounded by biodiverse waters, including a vast array of marine algae and more than a thousand species of fish. The bay is also home to 163 species of coral, which provide a colorful undersea home to many of the aquatic inhabitants. Terrestrially, the islands’ dense rain forest ecosystems support various rare species of birdlife and mammals, such as deer, weasels, squirrels and white-tabby and red-haired monkeys.

Shore Excursions – Ha Long Bay by Boat
Duration: 3 hours
Embark on a scenic cruise by motorboat through one of the world’s most magnificent landscapes. Ha Long Bay is home to about 2,000 limestone islands rising from the water to astonishing heights. Legend says they were created by dragons who breathed out jewels into the bay to prevent enemy ships from coming ashore. For centuries, fishermen and merchants have navigated this archipelago, a labyrinthine waterway framed by vertical cliffs draped in brush and forest. Board a motorboat and follow in their wake, taking in the views as you travel—the bay was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1994 for its exceptional natural beauty and geological significance. As you join the countless sailors who have explored these waters before, observe the fishermen casting their nets and the soaring heights of karst walls. After your cruise, return to your ship.

Sail the South China Sea
Sail the South China Sea; after the five oceans of the world, it is the world’s largest body of water covering more than one million square miles. Renew your body, mind and spirit in our Scandinavian-inspired Spa, a Nordic sanctuary of holistic wellness, today while at sea. Whether you unwind in the Sauna, refresh in the Snow Grotto or take a dip in the Thermal Pool, you will feel recharged and revitalized.

Hong Kong, China
A British Overseas Territory until 1997, Hong Kong is home to long-cherished Eastern traditions amid modern Western sensibilities. This forest of glittering skyscrapers stands between soaring mountains and bustling Victoria Harbour. The entire sweeping vista is best taken in from atop Victoria Peak, lush with landscaped gardens and footpaths. Back down at sea level, Aberdeen provides a fascinating glimpse of China old and new as a skyward-reaching cluster of residential towers watches over a bustling bay where floating villages bob in the waters beside stylish pleasure boats.

Shore Excursions – Postcards of Hong Kong
Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
See the legendary highlights of Hong Kong, from its sweeping vistas to its most intimate corners. Meet your guide and ascend to Victoria Peak, the 1,800-foot summit that soars over the city’s skyscrapers. Known as “the Peak”, it offers breathtaking views of the metropolis, Victoria Harbour and Kowloon Peninsula. Along Hong Kong Island’s south shore, browse the open-air Stanley Market, a picturesque warren of lanes lined with stalls selling clothing, jewelry, ornaments and more. Explore the locale of Aberdeen, a fascinating juxtaposition of modern and ancient, and browse its unique handcrafted jewelry collections that combine East and West design principles. Next, embark a traditional sampan for a cruise through the harbor’s floating village, where locals live on fishing junks—a stark contrast to the high-rise buildings on the island. After time to explore, return to your ship.

Hong Kong, China
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.