Secrets of South East Asia with Viking

Arrive in Bali for a one-night stay, allowing ample time to explore and immerse yourself in Bali’s customs and traditions. As we remain docked overnight, take the opportunity to dine al fresco during an evening tour and enjoy a cultural performance amid a stunning setting.

Discover the deeply spiritual island of Bali, with its colorful markets and rich culture of arts, crafts and traditional dance. Explore its bustling provincial capital of Denpasar on an included tour, admiring the colors, flavors and fragrances of the local market, the Bali Museum and the sublime temple of Jagatnatha.

Spend the day relaxing on board as you cruise the Java Sea. Evidence points to the sea bottom being above water before water levels rose following the last ice age. This shallow body of water was also the sight of a disastrous naval battle during World War II, when Allied Forces were defeated by the Japanese on Feb. 27, 1942.

Java is Indonesia’s repository of history and island culture. The bustling port of Semarang was founded by the Dutch and hints of the island’s colonial past dot the cityscape. Outside the city, Borobudur, the largest Buddhist monument in the world, strikes a dramatic pose against a backdrop of four volcanoes. A popular place of pilgrimage and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the massive pyramidal temple towers to a great height. The devout walk up a clockwise path to the pinnacle, passing 2,672 reliefs and 504 Buddha statues along the way.

Sail one of the world’s most successful commercial trade routes in history. The countless crates of spices carried over the Java Sea reportedly contributed to the famed Dutch Golden Age. As you sail today, relax in the Explorers’ Lounge, inspired by epic journeys of discovery. Marvel at the views through the two-story panoramic windows as you share a cocktail with friends, or settle down to read a book.

Relax on board your ship as you cruise the South China Sea. Unwind in The Spa, where you can enjoy the Snow Grotto and Sauna, or by taking a dip in the Infinity Pool.

Call on Ho Chi Minh City today, formerly known as Saigon. Explore a heady mix of French and Vietnamese cultures here, where baguettes and croissants are sold alongside pho, Vietnam’s beloved noodle soup. Or view the Reunification Palace, the Central Post Office and Chinatown, and meet artisans at a lacquer workshop.

Enjoy another day exploring the cultural treasures of Ho Chi Minh City, absorbing its French colonial accents and bustling markets. Stop by its oldest and largest, Bến Thành Market, to experience Old Saigon at its most authentic. If you wish, you can visit the legendary tunnels of Cu Chi, a vast network of subterranean passageways used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War.

Take the morning to further explore Ho Chi Minh City. Perhaps take a tour by pedal cab and experience the energetic streets of Old Saigon in a traditional way. Or you may choose to enjoy the city’s modern bustle and colonial charm on your own.

Tucked among mainland China, Vietnam and the Philippines, the South China Sea is one of the world’s most important waterways. One-third of commercial shipping passes through these waters. It is a tradition that stretches back untold centuries, to when dynastic emperors and the barbarians who opposed them sailed their ships here. Later, 16th-century Portuguese traders called it Mar da China, the China Sea. As you sail these waters today, perhaps take in a lecture in The Theater to learn of the enriching destinations to which they lead.

Explore the Thai island of Koh Samui, a paradise of sandy beaches, coral reefs and coconut trees. Thailand’s second-largest island after Phuket, this self-sufficient community had no roadways until the early 1970s. Today, it is a favored spot for sun-loving beachcombers from Thailand and beyond. Visit the island’s revered temples and witness some of the scampering monkeys that have been trained to harvest coconuts from the treetops.

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.

Singapore is the world’s only island city-state. Established in 1819 for the East India Company by Sir Stamford Raffles, after whom the famed hotel is named, it grew from a secluded backwater into a shabby port city before transforming itself into a sophisticated metropolis. The technology and economy are highly advanced here, yet the islands host plentiful green parks with tree-lined footpaths and the stunning National Orchid Garden. For a panoramic view of it all, the observation deck of the Marina Bay Sands towers offers the perfect solution.

Disembark in Singapore today, one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities. Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or explore more during a post-cruise extension.