So basically Vikings were the equivalent of a modern day motorcycle gang.
Probably much worse. They killed off whole towns and were small and swift, and built lightweight sea vessels to drag onshore and then go back out to sea with. Not big, Goliath, guys like in the movies or Netflix. Merciless, but intelligent when it came to navigating the oceans.
Not all Vikings were pirates. Many were craftsmen who designed swords and the chain mail suit, protecting communities. The women didn’t go out and fight with the men as in the Viking series. They had children and provided a comfortable home doing everyday tasks.