Vietnam/Cambodia Tonle Viking Mekong River Cruise 26 December 2025 - 9 January 2026

 Day #1 - January 24, 2025 - Said farewell to my brother and his family, took Lyft to Atl International Airport.  Immediately after clearing TSA, I heard from Gail Rouen.  We rendezvoused at the Delta Sky Lounge to spend a few hours before take off. Our flight departed on time, destination Seoul, South Korea.  I really didn't sleep much, but I did watch several movies. After 15 hours and 30 minutes, we landed at Inchon Airport, and walked forever to our next gate!

 We departed shortly after 8:00 AM, and breakfast was served - a horrendous smelling fish!  I opted to have orange juice and coffee, then fell asleep until we landed, five hours later, in Hanoi, Vietnam. Due to the time zone changes, as well as crossing the International Date Line, we totally lost Christmas Day, thus we landed on December 26, 2025 to total chaos in the Hanoi Customs, which took over one hour to clear.  Luckily, Viking was waiting for us to take us to the lovely Pan Pacific Hotel.  I noticed a tremendous "fog-like" cloud coverage which turned out was actually smog.

The lake next to our hotel is where POW John McCain parachuted prior to his capture.

We checked in to our hotel, but needed to wait until the 3 PM check-in. Meanwhile, Michaelene appeared in the lobby, so I introduced her and Gail.  Our traveling team was now complete. I unpacked, rested, and sipped a little of my Pho soup before falling into a deep, blissful sleep.

Day #2 - December 27, 2025 - Hanoi

Good morning, Vietnam!! As I scrolled through the pictures, it was amazing the amount of places we visited in one day in our Tour Group 2A. Beginning with our electric car ride through the French Quarter, Hanoi Hilton, a Confucius Temple, and ending with a fabulous dinner at a French restaurant, it was constant sensory overload.

Day #3, December 28, 2025 - Hanoi - Siem Reap, Cambodia

We began our morning by visiting a store that focuses on hiring the disabled adult children of Viet Nam vets to make a variety of items including hand stitched paintings which were incredibly intricate and beautiful.

 Next, we toured Vietnam's National Museum of Ethnology, a fascinating venue featuring the the country's 54 ethnic groups.

Then, we were off to the airport to fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia.  The Hanoi Airport was so festive!

We were supposed to have time for lunch in the airport, but our flight was delayed leaving Hanoi, so we only had time for a picnic lunch of Pringles and Coke!

After a one hour ride to our next destination, we arrived at the gorgeous Sofitel and an amazing greeting of traditional Cambodian music and dancing. 

We quickly dumped all our travel gear into our gorgeous room, 209, and returned to an amazing buffet and charming show.

Day #4 - December, 29, 2025 Siem Reap, Cambodia

Only a short 10 kilometers from our hotel is Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious complex, a stunning 12-century Khmer temple. The grounds are beautiful, which we enjoyed exploring with our guide.

The morning was going great UNTIL we were left behind. Our guide gave us bad directions on returning to the bus.  We walked, and we walked, and we walked for over 45 minutes when finally a sweet Tuk Tuk driver approached us to see if we were looking for our tour guide.  We simultaneously screamed, "Yes" and he explained that the tour guide was still looking for us inside Angkor Wat. He suggested that we should take a Tuk Tuk back to the resort.  All I kept thinking was that we were told NOT to get into a Tuk Tuk without assistance from Viking or Sofitel.  Oh well, desperate times call for desperate measures, so Gail and I climbed into our first of many Tuk Tuk rides! 

All three of us took different excursions in the afternoon.  I selected the floating village.  I found the experience depressing.  I'm glad that both Gail and Michaelene enjoyed their excursions.

I took the fastest shower ever in order to be ready for our dinner.  It was downtown Siem Reap in a local restaurant. We dined upstairs. The meal was traditional Cambodian food.  I enjoyed chatting with Tessa, a fellow Viking traveler.

December 30, 2025 -  Day #5 Siem Reap

We continued our tour of Wats this morning. Both were smaller, but fascinating. As we entered the grounds, we were surrounded by merchants shoving things at us saying, "Only 3 dolla" We eventually purchased a few things, then proceeded with the tour.

The afternoon was one of the highlights of my trip! I noticed a sign in our beautiful Sofitel that mentioned a golf package, so I inquired and to make a long story short, booked a tee time. Michaelene agreed to play, along with two other travelers, Brad and Gary. The resort drove us to the Phokeeka  Country Club, voted Cambodia's 2025 Best Golf Course. I felt as if I had made the LPGA Tour when I saw that my caddie, Cema, had my name stenciled on the back of her jacket. All four caddy's would clap as each of us hit the ball. I felt so pampered, as my caddy would carry an umbrella over my head as I walked to hit my ball.  It was the BEST experience.

Later, that evening, we went to a lovely French restaurant. As we walked into the lovely entrance, we were handed a hot cloth for our hands. Gail handed it to the greeter instead of putting it in the basket.  We laughed so hard! The meal was delicious, and I enjoyed visiting with Jenny and Dave. 

Day 6 - December 31, 2025 Siem Reap to Kampong Cham to board Viking Tonle

Sadly, we said farewell, after a leisurely, amazing breakfast to Sofitel, next destination, Phnom Phoem.

We boarded our 2A Bus, listening to Buntha "Budda" tell us stories about Cambodia's Civil War, where over  2 million Cambodians were executed by Pol Pot, Khmer Rouge the brutal dictator of Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. Both of Budda's parents were murdered when he was 9 years old. He recommended that we read "They Killed my Father" and to watch "The Killing Fields" for a better understanding of this event. Along the way, we noticed water buffalo and skinny cows.  I simply could not bring myself to take pictures of the skinny cows because they were too pathetic looking.

We stopped at a Viking Sponsored School that truly touched my heart. A sweet 12-year old selected me to guide through the school. I am ready to sign up to be a volunteer  one-month teacher.

Next, we had lunch at a Cambodia equivalent Buccees! Sofitel had packed us box lunches, which we enjoyed at our stop.

Finally, we reached our new home for the next 8 days - Viking Tonle. Our ship was decorated beautifully for New Year's Eve.  Due to the Cambodian/Thailand border wars, so fireworks were permitted.

Day #7 - January 1, 2026 -  Kampong Cham, Cambodia

Happy New Year!  First Stop, AMICA village where the children guided us around since they had the day off from school.  

Next, we visited the Twin Holy Mountains, Phnom Pros and Phnom Srey., where the women and men were having a competition to see who could build the largest mountain.  The women tricked the men, and won the competition. There were monkeys and baboons EVERYWHERE! I have equal amounts of monkey pictures, as well as historical artifacts.  We were on constant alert to make sure the monkeys didn't take our phones. The reclining Budda was quite fascinating.

  Finally, we saw the longest bamboo bridge.

After lunch, which we enjoyed on the Sun Deck, we had some free time, so relaxed in the sun. We sailed down the Mekong River to Silk Island where we learned so much about Cambodian silk.  Naturally, we had to support the local artisans. 

After dinner, we had an evening optional excursion, traveling by Tuk Tuk to see the city of Phnom Pehn, Cambodia's Capitol by night.  Thee are no words to describe the crazy, chaoic traffic.  We ended the evening with drinks on the 37th floor, outdoor bar of the Rosewood Hotel.

Day #8 -  January 2, 2026 - Phnom Pehn, Cambodia

We traveled by Cyclo vehicles, sort of bicycle powered rickshaws: however, the passenger rides in the front.  I saw my life flash before my eyes multiple times! Picture total traffic chaos engaged in a huge game of chicken.  We rode to the palace and then around the city.

Whew, we spent a sobering afternoon visiting two memorials of the Cambodian 1970s genocide.  First, one of "The Killing Fields" mass execution mausoleum of Khmer Rouge dictator, Pol Pot containing over 8000 skulls.

 
Then Tuol Sleng Detention Center where we met one of the remaining survivors, 95 Chum Mey.

We experienced VERY heavy traffic returning to our ship.  We rested a bit before having a lovely dinner with Lori and Mike.

Day #9 - January 3, 2026 - Silver Village and Buddhist Monastery - Cambodia

First stop was a village where silver products are made, including the silverware used in the palace of Phnom Pehn. 

Next we visited a Buddhist Monastery where our traveling group was blessed for the upcoming year. Flower petals were thrown on us. Personally, I was grateful to be able to get up from the marble floor after sitting for our blessing.

Our optional excursion included shopping in the Central Market followed by drinks at the Raffles Hotel Elephant Bar. We needed to use the ATM prior to shopping, but crossing the street to the ATM was so daunting that our Viking guide escorted us.  I definitely supported the local economy both at the Central Market and Raffles Hotel. The hotel still has the cocktail glass used by Jackie O during her visit in 1966.

Last evening in Cambodia. We were entertained by local children performing traditional dancing.  They were fabulous! It wasn't until after the performance that we learned they were from a nearby orphanage.  The director is also a dance teacher who teaches the students after school.  Some of our fellow travelers participated, which was quite entertaining. It is an evening I will always remember.

Day 10 -  January 4, 2026  -  Scenic Cruising down the Mekong River

Today is a cruise day as we leave Cambodia for Vietnam. So we slept in, had a late breakfast. It took quite a while to clear the border, so we spent time at the pool.  Now we can say that we swam in the middle of the Mekong River!

Day #11 -  January 5, 2026 - Tau Chau, Vietnam

Today, I felt like I was on a National Geographic photo assignment as we traveled along the Mekong River by sampan and rickshaw visiting a Cao Dai Temple, walking along the crops of Evergreen Island, glimpsing into the home life of a native (a very hard working, 45 year-old widow), and experiencing a daily feeding at a fish farm.

Back on the ship, we enjoyed lunch and then read by the pool.  I attended a lecture regarding the cultural differences between Cambodia and Viet Nam.

Day #12 - January 6, 2026 - Sa Dec, Vietnam

We boarded our sampan to visit the French Colonial town of Sa Dec, childhood home of Marguerite Duras, author of her autobiography, "The Lover" about her affair with a wealthy Chinese man.  Afterwards, we visited the largest farmers market on the Mekong River.  The pictures don't do the place justice, but it does spare you the smells, especially the stalls offering eels, rats, frogs, and seafood.  Last stop, the jade market where I purchased a Jade turtle for David.

This afternoon, we traveled by sampan to Cai Be Village where mostly fruits and vegetables are grown; however, we were greeted with their famous "snake water" which will probably cause nightmares!  They also offered popped rice, fresh coconut, coconut candy, and dried Jack fruit.  The flowers were exquisite! One particular funny moment was when Michaelene asked, "What am I eating?" We did try any abundance of foods we had never seen! Michaelene was truly the most adventuresome eater in our group! Back on board, we enjoyed farewell entertainment Vietnamese dancers and musicians,

Day #13 -  January 7, 2026 - Depart Viking Tonle/Mekong River, travel via bus to Saigon, with a stop on Cu Chi 

Wow! What a day! We said farewell to the lovely folks on Viking's Tonle. We drove by the former US military Installation in Cu Chi. We then visited the Cu Chi tunnels.  Duck walking through the  20 meter long tunnel is an experience I will always remember.  We enjoyed a delicious Vietnamese lunch on our way to Saigon.  After we checked into the gorgeous Sheraton Saigon, several of us walked to the tailors to have custom fitted clothing made that will be brought to us tomorrow afternoon. Next, we went to the Central Market which is so humongous that we'll finish exploring the rest tomorrow afternoon.  Next, we're off to dinner!

Day #14 - January 8, 2026 - Saigon

Our last full day began with a panoramic bus ride through the city including Reunification Independence Palace, the Post Office, the famous roof top where helicopter evacuated the remaining US Military, a lacquer factory, and a Tao Temple. In the afternoon, we power shopped in the Central Market and packed to go  home.  Our Farewell  Dinner was a traditional Vietnamese dinner complete with live folk music.

Day 15 - January 9, 2026 - Saigon - Seoul - Atlanta

Sadly, we said farewell to our lovely Sheraton Saigon at (yikes) 4:15 AM. As we were getting ready to leave, I hear a knock on the door around 3:30 AM. Nervously, I opened the door, only to find Michaelene there. She had accidentally locked herself out of the room as she put her luggage outside the door. 

As we're waiting to go through Customs at the Saigon airport, I notice that Gail's name is on a marquee. I question her about it. We have to wait for the info to scroll back telling her to return to the Delta check-in counter.  She immediately understands the problem.  At the last minute, she decided to check in her carry on luggage which contained her power pack.  Sure enough, that was the problem.  She rummaged through her luggage, found the power pack, put it in her purse, and we were good to go. We had a nasty custom agent, but I smiled sweetly and tried to kill him with kindness.

 On our flight from Seoul to Atlanta, our pilot was taking flight before retiring.  It was a fabulous conclusion to our incredible Viking Mekong River journey.