
Introduction
Designed to navigate the Mekong River, hosting just 80 guests, Viking Saigon offers understated elegance and has been built to reflect the clean, Scandinavian design principles for which Viking is known. Explore one of the world’s most scenic regions in comfort with outdoor verandas, hotel-style beds and public areas bathed in light, offering panoramic views of your surroundings.
What to bring
We suggest bringing comfortable, casual clothing. Ties and jackets are not required; there are no formal nights although some guests choose dressier clothing for the Captain’s Dinner. Consider dressing respectfully when visiting places of worship and other religious sites where you may be denied entry if wearing clothing considered to be inappropriate or too revealing. Your Tour Escort can assist you with any questions. Also, please consider baggage weight restrictions on the intra-China flights when packing.
Here is a short list of items you might want to bring with you:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Dressier shoes
- Collapsible umbrella/lightweight rain gear
- Lightweight jacket/warm sweater/sweatshirt
- Sunglasses, sun hat or visor
- Toiletries (including medical remedies)
- Warm coat, gloves and water-resistant footwear (as needed for cooler months)
Pack in your carry-on baggage
We suggest you bring copies of your key travel documents (passport information page, airline tickets, credit card numbers and insurance information) and carry them separately in case you lose your originals.
You might also want to consider packing the following items:
- All needed medications, including prescriptions, in their original, labeled containers
- Eyeglasses, contacts, contact lens solution
- Important papers and travel documents
- Camera gear, film or extra memory cards, extra batteries
- Valuables
Optional items
Here is a list of optional items to consider bringing with you:
- Electric converter/adapter for North American appliances (220V)
- Travel alarm clock, travel flashlight, binoculars, anti-bacterial wipes and/or hand sanitizer
- Small calculator for foreign exchange calculations
- Travel journal/notepad and/or reading material
- Small, basic sewing kit/extra buttons; pack scissors in checked bags
- Address list or pre-addressed labels for sending postcards
NOTE: Most hotels and Reception onboard have hair dryers available for guest use. Also, laundry service (no dry cleaning) is available on board for a fee.
In most cases, we can. Every meal has vegetarian options and our chefs will make reasonable efforts to accommodate special requests. Guests requiring special meals (low salt, diabetic, gluten-free or low cholesterol) should alert us 90 days prior to departure and inform the Maître d’ when on board.
While we take steps to minimize the risk of cross contamination, we cannot guarantee an allergen-free kitchen.
Viking welcomes guests with disabilities on our ships; however, guests must be aware there are risks associated with travelling on board ships that are unique to cruise travel. Therefore, guests must be able to independently move around the ship in case of an emergency or rough seas, understand the lack of immediate access to medical services in certain parts of the world, and acknowledge that access to some areas of the ship and ports of call may be limited. Shore excursions may require the ability to traverse cobblestones or go up and down stairs. We reserve the right to determine whether a guest is fit to travel and to deny boarding in the event that a guest represents a risk to themselves or to the safety and well-being of those on board the ship.
When you make your reservation, please advise us of any disability that will require special attention while sailing on a Viking cruise. Should you have any medical, physical or other special needs, check the information on our website to gain an understanding of the layout of any particular ship or contact Viking for any additional information or advice.
Wheelchair accommodations and elevators
Guests who have a disability, physical or otherwise, must travel with an able-bodied companion who can assist them as the staff are not permitted to lift guests or push wheelchairs. Guests need to provide their own wheelchairs, except in an emergency. Wheelchairs must not exceed 22" in width. Motorised scooters are not typically suitable for international cruises and cannot be accommodated. While our ocean vessels have lifts, there may still be thresholds that could make movement difficult.
Small Ships
Our Switzerland-registered river vessels host just 190 or fewer guests, and our fleet of identical all-veranda Norway-registered ocean ships host only 930 guests. With the risk of disease infection significantly lower on small vessels, we believe our ships offer a safer environment than that of the mega ships. And with no interior staterooms on any of our ships, guests enjoy expansive views from outside staterooms.
Purified Air
Enjoy fresh air in your stateroom, knowing that all staterooms on Viking ocean and river ships feature independent air handling units that do not share air with other areas of the ship. Also take comfort in knowing that the air in the public areas of your ship has also been purified with new short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV-C) lights and high-density filters, which kill 99.99% of all airborne viruses and bacteria.
Daily PCR Testing
We believe a robust and adaptable testing programme is key in preventing the virus from entering a ship, and mitigating community spread among guests and crew. Quick and easy non-invasive PCR tests—via simple saliva sample—will be conducted daily throughout your itinerary, in the privacy of your stateroom.
Dedicated PCR Laboratories
Viking was the first cruise line to complete installation of the first full-scale PCR laboratory at sea. Each of our ocean vessels will be equipped with a PCR laboratory, providing Viking with the capability to test all guests and crew every day if necessary. A strong network of Viking-dedicated shoreside labs will bring the same high-quality, high-accuracy molecular testing regimen to our river ships.
Medical Services
While every precaution can reduce the risk of illness, we are also prepared for that outcome. Each of our ocean vessels has always had a state-of-the-art Medical Centre; those facilities have now been upgraded with more specialized equipment. We have also launched a new 24/7 hotline staffed by doctors, specifically for our river cruises.
Health Check
Regular health monitoring will verify the complete wellness of all guests and crew during your sailing. Short Health Questionnaires will be completed daily, and temperature checks will be conducted effortlessly with automated thermal cameras.
Sanitisation
Rest assured that the surfaces on your ship will be cleaned and sanitised continuously with daily scheduled deep cleanings. You will notice more hand sanitisation stations throughout your ship. And on our ocean ships, we are using new sanitisation robots that utilize UV-C light to treat surfaces in guest and crew public areas—an industry first.
Dining & Entertainment
On your ship, you can expect spacious, airy public areas and abundant options for al fresco dining. Also, on ocean cruises, as always, you can enjoy complimentary 24-hour room service. Now, more options for spaced seating in all dining venues will allow for physical distancing; self-serve dining stations will be replaced with staff service; there will be additional table service at all bars and lounges; and new capabilities will allow you to watch more live events and enriching content through your in-room entertainment system.
Physical Distancing & Face Masks
Public health experts agree that proper physical distancing and the use of face masks are effective in helping slow the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses. Similar to many local guidelines currently in place, physical distancing measures are in place in public areas on board, and face masks may be required for all guests and crew while moving about Viking ships, depending on conditions at time of sailing. Face masks will not be required for guests when seated in dining venues, bars and lounges.
Spa & Fitness
On ocean cruises, The Spa will remain open to all guests by appointment only to ensure proper distancing and all spa staff will wear face masks during treatments. The Fitness Centre will also remain open with its own dedicated sanitisation staff to ensure all equipment and surfaces are cleaned in between each guest use.
Amenities include:
Amenities include:
Amenities include:
Open air Sky Bar with shaded seating area.
Viking Lounge with floor-to-ceiling glass doors.
The library is located on the middle deck.