1) Bangkok - > Ayutthaya (ruins, historical interest) 2) Ayutthaya - > Sukhothai (via Phitsanulok)(ruins, historical interest) 3) Sukhothai - > Chiang Mai (trekking centre, temples) 4) Chiang Mai - > Chiang Khong (
riverside town, day trips, crossing to Laos) 5) Chiang Khong - > Huay Xai (
riverside town) 6) Huay Xai - > Pakbeng (
riverside town, half - way point to Luang Prabang) 7) Pakbeng - > Luang Prabang (temples,
riverside town,
scenic) 8) Luang Prabang - > Vang Vieng (
scenic, backpacker scene) 9) Vang Vieng - > Vientiane (capital city, temples,
riverside city) 10) Vientiane - > Tha Khaek (
riverside town, caves,
scenic) 11) Tha Khaek - > Savannakhet (
riverside town, national parks, colonial architecture) 12) Savannakhet - > Pakse (
riverside town, daytrips) 13) Pakse - > Champasak (ruins) 14) Champasak - > Four Thousand Islands - Don Khong, Don Dhet & Don Khon (
scenic, waterfalls, backpacker scene) 15) Four Thousand Islands - > Kratie (
riverside town, dolphins) 16) Kratie - > Phnom Penh (capital city, colonial architecture,
scenic) 17) Phnom Penh - > Siem Reap (Angkor Wat, backpacker scene) 18) Siem Reap - > Battambang (
riverside town, rural daytrips, ruins) 19) Battambang - > Phnom Penh 20) Phnom Penh - > Saigon (museums, nightlife, daytrips) 21) Saigon - > Mui Ne (beaches, sand dunes) 22) Mui Ne - > Nha Trang (beaches, boat trips) 23) Nha Trang - > Hoi An (
riverside town, shopping, tailoring) 24) Hoi An - > Hue (Imperial capital, temples, trips to DMZ) 25) Hue - > Hanoi (capital city, colonial architecture, shopping) 26) Hanoi - > Ha Long Bay (stunning scenery) 27) Hanoi - > Sapa (trekking, minority groups,
scenic)
Watching the world drift by your window, enjoying
scenic river vistas and visits to charming
riverside towns is blissfully tranquil, and with most costs aside from souvenirs and off - ship dining all paid for upfront, it's easy to just sit back, relax, and let your ship take you wherever you want to go.