Viking River Cruise: Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi

Embarking on a Viking River cruise from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the heart and soul of Vietnam. This journey, stretching approximately 1,700 kilometers, takes you down the Mekong River through some of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and culturally rich regions, providing a captivating blend of historic landmarks, natural beauty, and local traditions.

Our journey started with an 11- 12 hour flight from Boston to Doha, Qatar on Qatar Airlines. Doha International Airport is one of the most beautiful airports I’ve ever experienced. With expansive walkways and upscale shops on every floor, the airport resembles a high-end shopping mall rather than a typical travel hub. We had a 4-hour layover and spent that time in one of the “Priority Pass” lounges, where we enjoyed a fine meal and excellent red wines before boarding our next flight from Doha to Ho Chi Ming City on Qatar Airlines, which was seven hours.

Ho Chi Minh City: The Pulsating Starting Point

After landing, we cleared customs and presented our multi-entry visas to the officers. These were essential since our plan was to leave Vietnam, explore Cambodia, and then return. Fortunately, we had applied for visas to Vietnam and Cambodia months earlier to ensure the timely availability of our passports for the venture. A Viking representative greeted us at the airport, leading us to our air-conditioned van as we headed to the Sheraton Grand Opera Hotel in the central city.

Our adventure began in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. This bustling metropolis perfectly blends old and new, where modern skyscrapers sit next to historic French colonial buildings. A city tour included visits to the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, and the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, revealing the layers of Vietnam’s tumultuous history.

We weren’t prepared for the traffic congestion, cars, scooters, motorcycles, and bicycles, all coming within inches of colliding but using the same roadway. It reminded us of Marrakesh, minus the camels. It amazed us that no one was hurt or injured, considering the many near accidents we saw.

A group of people on motorcycles in a busy street

Description automatically generated — The extreme traffic in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City is also renowned for its culinary scene. Sampling street food in Ben Thanh Market or enjoying a traditional Vietnamese meal in one of the city’s many restaurants provides a delicious introduction to the local flavors. We tasted a mango watermelon with salt and pepper flakes, making the flavors even better.

The Mekong Delta: Life on the Water

The cruise departed from Ho Chi Minh City, where 80- 90 passengers boarded the vessel. Most of the passengers were from Australia, the UK, and the US. Four of us were people of color. This mix was true on the Viking Ocean cruise we took two years ago, but we never felt intimidated and were treated exceptionally well by crew, staff, and passengers. Along the way, we made a few new acquaintances and exchanged email addresses with several of them.

Known as the “Rice Bowl” of Vietnam, the lush landscape of the Mekong Delta is a network of rivers, swamps, and islands, where life revolves around the water. Floating markets, such as those in Cai Be or Can Tho, offer a unique shopping experience where vendors sell everything from fresh produce to handicrafts from their boats. We visited the Sa Dec market, where fresh vegetables and meats were displayed.

The Sa Dec Market in Vietnam

Explorations in the delta might include sampan rides through narrow canals, visits to local workshops producing coconut candy and rice paper, and interactions with the friendly locals who call this vibrant region home. We also visited a catfish farm that produces 100,000 catfish per year and we’re told of the over 6000 farms along the Mekong River. Before we reached the farm, the pungent odor of the catfish feed was more than noticable.

A group of people under an umbrella

Description automatically generated — Sa Dec Market, Vietnam

A dog walking next to a building — **Feeding the fish at the catfish farm on the Mekong River in Vietnam**

In every town of every size, open markets are relied upon by the rural Vietnamese. The markets reminded us of the rural open-air markets in Morocco and Cape Verde. Surprisingly, no flies were buzzing around the fresh fish, meats, snails, rats, snakes, other delicacies sold, or the fruits, vegetables, and clothing.

Rickshaws are the primary means of transportation for locals and tourists alike. Once again, we were amazed at how close the rickshaws, scooters, cars, and bicycles came to one another without accident.

**The writer and two rickshaw drivers in Vietnam**

One of the most memorable visits was to the home of a Vietnamese farming family. The couple were the product of 16 year old arranged marriage. They told us they lived in a tent for those first years but farmed their 5 hectares until they had saved enough money and, with the help of their community, built a wooden home. Each home is elevated about 10 feet to withstand the annual flooding that occurs sporadically along the Mekong River from May to October. On the upper level were a queen-sized bed, an altar, a small kitchen with hanging pots and pans, an area for washing and drying clothes by hand, and a propane and wood-burning stove.

A table with a pot and a pan on it — **Wood-burning stove in the kitchen of a Vietnamese farm family**

These are generational homes where grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren might all reside. The elders are respected and occupy the upper level, while the parents and children sleep on the lower level. Mosquito nets were used by all to prevent nighttime bites.

**In the lower level of the Vietnamese farmer’s home, note the hammocks. Where they sleep during the dry season.**

The next day, we crossed the border into Cambodia, still a communist country where one of the Cambodian guides told us that the people had “ Freedom of Silence, but not Freedom of speech.”

In my next travel article, we will discuss a bit of Cambodia’s history, the killing fields, the many beautiful ancient temples, and the culture of this wonderful country.

Armand A. Gonzalzles M.D.

The Louisiana Traveler

10 Transformative Wellness Resorts for Vibrant Aging

As more individuals embrace travel as a way to improve their mental, emotional, and physical well-being, resorts and spas have increasingly tailored their offerings to meet the needs of older adults seeking a holistic approach to health. Whether you’re looking to revitalize your body, sharpen your mind, or find spiritual balance, these 10 wellness resorts and spas stand out for their focus on longevity, emotional consciousness, and overall well-being.

1. Canyon Ranch – Tucson, Arizona

Canyon Ranch is renowned for its integrative approach to wellness, where science, spirituality, and healing come together. Set in the Sonoran Desert, this retreat offers personalized wellness plans for older adults, emphasizing stress reduction, mindfulness, and longevity. Canyon Ranch’s Life Enhancement Program, designed for those seeking transformation, offers a blend of fitness classes, meditation, and group therapy to address emotional consciousness and overall mental health.

Website: Canyon Ranch Tucson

2. The Ranch Malibu – Malibu, California

For those looking to challenge themselves physically while nurturing their mental well-being, The Ranch Malibu provides immersive weeklong programs that focus on physical endurance, nutrition, and detoxification. This luxury retreat places emphasis on mental clarity, emotional resilience, and personal transformation. The guided hikes, meditation sessions, and plant-based meals help older adults reconnect with nature and rediscover their sense of purpose.

Website: The Ranch Malibu

3. Shou Sugi Ban House – The Hamptons, New York

A serene sanctuary in the Hamptons, Shou Sugi Ban House combines traditional Japanese healing practices with modern wellness. Its programs are focused on emotional balance, mindfulness, and nutrition. The retreat offers a variety of workshops on sound healing, breathwork, and meditation, all designed to help older adults focus on emotional well-being and spiritual growth. The spa’s healing and massage therapies encourage a full-body reset, ideal for older adults looking to relax and recalibrate.

Website: Shou Sugi Ban House

4. Golden Door – San Marcos, California

Golden Door is a famed wellness retreat that emphasizes self-awareness, emotional clarity, and life rejuvenation. Its structured program includes daily mindfulness practice, personal training sessions, and therapeutic treatments to heal both body and mind. Older adults find respite here with a focus on emotional wellness through immersive guided reflections, nutrition consultations, and physical movement sessions aimed at longevity and vitality.

Website: Golden Door

5. The Art of Living Retreat Center – Boone, North Carolina

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, The Art of Living Retreat Center combines Eastern and Western wellness traditions. It offers holistic programs centered on stress relief, mindfulness, and emotional clarity, making it ideal for older adults looking to maintain mental and emotional well-being. The retreat’s signature program, the Happiness Program, helps participants cultivate emotional resilience and clarity of mind through guided meditation, yoga, and mindful breathing techniques.

Website: Art of Living Retreat

6. Rancho La Puerta – Tecate, Mexico

Founded on the principles of sustainable living and mindfulness, Rancho La Puerta is perfect for older adults seeking mental, physical, and emotional rejuvenation. Located just an hour from San Diego, this spa offers programs focused on enhancing cognitive well-being, mindfulness, and spiritual balance. Daily hikes, meditation, journaling workshops, and personalized fitness regimens are all designed to enhance longevity, self-awareness, and emotional stability.

Website: Rancho La Puerta

7. Miraval Resort & Spa – Tucson, Arizona

Miraval is all about “living in the moment” and creating emotional balance. The resort offers various wellness activities such as equine therapy, mindful eating workshops, and creative expression classes, helping older adults address emotional consciousness while reducing stress. Their unique Integrative Wellness programs cater to older adults seeking to work on both mental and emotional health, all in the serene backdrop of the desert.

Website: Miraval Resort & Spa

8. Cal-a-Vie Health Spa – Vista, California

Known for its intimate setting and luxury wellness offerings, Cal-a-Vie Health Spa focuses on preventive health care and emotional wellness. The spa offers tailored programs for older adults that emphasize balance, self-care, and mental clarity. Daily fitness classes, nutritional consultations, and emotional coaching sessions help guests find peace and improve both mental and physical health.

Website: Cal-a-Vie Health Spa

9. Mii amo – Sedona, Arizona

Sedona is famous for its natural vortexes, believed to bring healing and spiritual energy to the area. Mii amo, set against this magical backdrop, offers a range of wellness programs that cater to older adults seeking emotional and spiritual healing. Mii amo’s transformative spa therapies and personal wellness coaching help guests connect with their inner selves, embrace mindfulness, and reduce emotional stress. Programs include a variety of meditation, journaling, and healing arts to help cultivate emotional consciousness.

Website: Mii amo

10. Lake Austin Spa Resort – Austin, Texas

This all-inclusive resort nestled on the banks of Lake Austin offers a peaceful setting for those looking to focus on wellness and emotional growth. With programs designed around water therapy, meditation, and relaxation, Lake Austin Spa helps older adults find mental clarity and emotional peace. Their custom-tailored wellness programs focus on emotional healing, physical relaxation, and nutritional balance, making it a perfect retreat for older adults focused on holistic health.

Website: Lake Austin Spa Resort

These retreats offer more than just a vacation; they provide a space for older adults to reconnect with themselves, sharpen their minds, and focus on holistic health. Whether you’re interested in physical rejuvenation, spiritual enlightenment, or emotional clarity, these destinations offer programs tailored to your wellness journey.