Just returned! Two weeks with Viking, two weeks on our own. Laverendrye, I really knew what to expect with Viking and felt very comfortable thanks to your wonderful detailed description. It was the perfect length cruise, and we were really ready to strike out on our own at the end. I feel like I had the opportunity to see places that I wouldn't have accessed on my own.

The folks on the cruise were late thirties to eighties, a mixed and varied group. We had a good bit of freedom to choose our activities and wander off when we docked in Phnom Penh and Kampong Cham, and again in Siem Reap and Hanoi.

My only criticisms were that the food options were decidedly leaning more western than I wanted and that I felt totally unprepared for the needs of the many many children we encountered. Had I known, I would have brought small books and colored pencils and such.

Elainee and Marija, a donation to the PLF will be forthcoming. Thank you all for your great help!

Donations to PLF, or direct to other schools, is much, much better than giving to individual children. If you give directly to a child it encourages them to beg, and to stay out of school to do so. I did give food to street children in Cambodia, but only in the evening.

Smart!

sum: I'm glad you enjoyed your trip and am happy that my report was helpful for it.

romeosc: your trip is coming soon. I hope you have as great a time as I did, and am glad that you found my information useful.

I checked out the PLF website and I think it is a worthy cause. It is tempting to give money to individual children in Cambodia, but as the guides will point out, it is not in the children's best interests to do so. You will also visit villages in which you can buy locally made products from that village and help the community as a whole.

We went on this trip in 2011 with AMAWaterways and loved it all. I was worried about Viking serving western food from what I'd read. and asked for sample menus from both cruise lines.
It was obvious from what Viking sent me that I wouldn't be happy with so much western food on their menu. AMA offered many Asian choices at all meals.

sum: How was the temperature during your trip? Thanks.

Shanghainese,

It was hot. Saigon and the Mekong 90s, Cambodia low 100s, Hanoi was cooler, but by now I'd say it will also be hot. Just pulled up Hanoi and Hue on accuweather and it's mid-eighties.

Hope that helps.

Uhm, that said, I never felt oppressed by the heat. Just stayed really hydrated!