Duration: 21 Days/ 20 Nights
Vietnam-Mekong-Scenic Cruise
Scenic Spirit was launched in 2016 and can accommodate 68 passengers in 34 one-bedroom balcony suites. The Scenic Spirit, offers an almost 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio and is equipped with a sleek swimming pool, a steam sauna, and an open-air cinema.These brand new, custom-built 5-Star ships are the most spacious, luxurious and indulgent vessels on the Mekong and Irrawaddy rivers. Each perfectly appointed suite benefits from its own balcony, en-suite bathroom and living space, so you can be sure your stay on this mighty waterway will be as comfortable and luxurious as it is culturally stimulating. To bolster the sense of space and luxury afforded by our spacious guest cabins, Scenic Spirit also features a raft of communal areas, including a handful of decadent eateries and an expansive open-air space complete with vitality pool, café and alfresco cinema. The ship comprises five decks connected by a central atrium and elevator: Gem Deck, Jewel Deck, Sapphire Deck, Diamond Deck and, on the uppermost part of the vessel, the open-air Sun Deck, which is complete with a sleek pool, open air cinema and ample outdoor seating. No matter where you choose to stay within this palatial floating hotel, you can easily enjoy all of its luxury amenities, services and facilities.
This post was last modified on March 29, 2018 6:20 am
Welcome to Vietnam. Relax at your historic hotel for the next two nights. Please arrive at the hotel before 17:00. Meet Scenic’s Representative for a welcome briefing, followed by a Vietnamese dinner in the unusual setting of a former opium refinery.
Free choice Visit the History Museum and Hoa Lo Prison, or stroll through the bustling local markets to buy ingredients for an authentic cooking class. Alternatively, cycle along the Red River or visit Ho Chi Minh Complex and Mausoleum, including a visit to the Temple of Literature. On your cyclo ride, discover the maze of back streets throughout the Old Quarter.
Enrich: Water puppet show After attending Hanoi’s famous water puppets show, learn the secrets behind this illusionary piece of theater thanks to your special backstage pass.
Free choice Dining Tonight choose to dine at KOTO on Van Mieu, or La Terrace at Sofitel. Alternatively, Ly Club menu, or Le Beaulieu, which promises a multi-award winning cuisine.
Journey to Halong Bay and board the elegant Au Co for an awe-inspiring special two night cruise through the picturesque waters of this spectacular World Heritage-listed icon.
Stop for exploring the Dark Cave & Light Cave by bamboo boat or kayak before partaking in a Vietnamese cooking demonstration. After Happy Hour and a signature 5 star gourmet dinner, try your hand at some squid fishing.
Begin the day with a Tai Chi lesson on the Sun Deck. Later, arrive at Cat Ba Island. Cycle in national park with guide from crew members. Explore Ho Ba Ham area by kayaking. Then back to the boat for relaxation on board.
Make the most of an extended Happy Hour (buy 1 get 1 free) for drinks. Enjoy the barbecue buffet in the restaurant (or sundeck depends on weather) while the boat is at anchor. Free time in the evening to watch movies in the restaurant, squid fishing at the reception or join our kitchen staff for the fruit carving session.
Morning with a Tai Chi lesson on sundeck or enjoy the breath-taking views of the bay while The Au Co cruises leisurely in Halong Bay. After breakfast, explore Sung Sot Cave, the most beautiful cave with a photo opportunity that makes it worth climbing the 715 steps into the cave itself.
Return to Tuan Chau Harbor, disembark and commence your drive to airport in Hanoi for your flight to Hue, the former imperial capital. A French colonial hotel will be your home for a two night special stay.
Learn about the history of Hue via a visit to the Mausoleum of King Minh Mang and the grandeur of Imperial Citadel.
Later cruise down the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda before meeting the deaf and mute workers at the Spiral Foundation, who are responsible for crafting beautiful items.
Enrich: Royal Dinner This evening’s Royal Dinner is in a private garden house accompanied by Hue Royal Court music.
Free choice: Explore the concealed back roads of Hue by bicycle. Or if you would prefer, why not try your hand at the art of Vietnamese kite making.
Enrich: Duc Son Pagoda During an inspiring visit to Duc Son Pagoda, talk with the nuns and learn how they are supporting their orphanage through different initiatives, including the proceeds from your lunch.Later, travel via the breathtaking Hai Van Pass to Hoi An where you will enjoy a three night stay which includes a daily 90-minute spa journey as part of your stay.
Step back in time as you take a walking tour of Hoi An ancient town including the Japanese Bridge and markets before stopping at the home of a former merchant to learn all about what life is like in Hoi An. A free afternoon allows you to visit one of the many tailors in town.
Free choice Dining: Enjoy the diverse gastronomy of the Cargo Club, or embark on a culinary journey through Hoi An’s past at Ancient Faifo. Alternatively, visit Brother’s Café and enjoy Asian and Western fare.
Free choice: Visit the ancient temple ruins of My Son Sanctuary. Alternatively, enjoy an interactive cooking class at Red Bridge Restaurant or cycle to a nearby farming village.
Sun downers: This evening relax at a cocktail reception in the Blue Bar.
After your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, take lunch at a Pho restaurant to learn all about this famous Vietnamese dish. Stop for some bargaining at Ben Thanh Market before arriving at your historic hotel for the next two nights.
Enrich: Cu Chi Tunnels Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels with a Vietnam War Veteran.Free choice Undertake a tour of Saigon’s art galleries, or discover the back streets of China Town on a vintage Vespa ride. Alternatively, visit Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum.
Enjoy a leisurely walk around the attractions near your hotel before boarding your coach to Scenic Spirit.
Free choice: Choose how adventurous you wish to be. Rise before sunrise to visit the famous Cai Be wholesale market before stopping at local industries along the Mekong. Alternatively relish a sleep in before savoring morning tea at the French colonial Le Longanier House with local musicians and cultural demonstrations or stay on board for your special Free choice activity.
Later, after a short cruise up river, immerse yourself in today’s second shore excursion, the historic town of Sa Dec. From your sampan disembark, explore and interact with the sellers in the lively market, visit the ancient house of Huynh Thuy Le who inspired Marguerite Duras’ novel L’Amant and the Fuijian style Kien An Cung Pagoda.
After an overnight cruise, anchor at Tan Chau.
Free choice: Stay in Tan Chau to visit Evergreen Island and the local Cao Dai Temple with a ride in a cyclo.
Alternatively choose from two options which cruise by speedboat to Chau Doc. Firstly visit a family-operated fish farm, walk through a local Cham village and take a cyclo ride around Chau Doc. Alternatively visit Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, Cham Mountain and a local Khmer village.Tonight is your themed gala ball with musicians and dancing.
Partake in some on board activities whilst awaiting clearance from Cambodian immigration. Spend the afternoon gently sailing towards Phnom Penh, taking the time to enjoy a cocktail by the pool or some solitude on your own private balcony as you watch the scenery pass you by.
Enrich: High tea Arrive in style by tuk tuk and immerse yourself in the historically celebrated luxury of Raffles, Hotel Le Royal. Enjoy a guided history tour followed by an indulgent high tea prepared in front of you by the hotel’s chefs, all whilst sipping on your signature cocktail named in honor of Jacqueline Kennedy. Retire to the Elephant bar before returning to the ship.
Free choice: Journey to the Killing Fields and tour Tuol Sleng, the former school that was converted to the main prison of the Khmer Rouge, or take a guided tour of the local food market before joining a hands-on Khmer cooking demonstration.
Alternatively, explore Phnom Penh’s colonial buildings by Tuk Tuk, the Central Market as well as its modern architecture.After lunch at a local NGO restaurant, travel by tuk-tuk to the National Museum and the Royal Palace with the famous Silver Pagoda within.
After a short cruise from Phnom Penh to Kampong Tralach, experience an ox cart ride from the ship through a local village and fields to Wat Kampong Tralach. Board your coach to the ancient capital of Oudong to visit the impressive pagoda and monastery to observe the lifestyle of the resident monks and nuns.
Enrich: Monk blessing Receive a blessing in the pagoda from a monk and learn how to pray in a Buddhist pagoda before giving a donation of food, contributing to the daily meal of the resident nuns and monks.Drive a short distance to Prek K’dam to re-board Scenic Spirit. Later sail downstream to wander through the silversmith village of Koh Chen before continuing your cruise to Kampong Cham.
Awake as you approach Wat Hanchey, an ancient hilltop pagoda and monastery. Back on board, your journey continues downstream to Kampong Cham.
Free choice: Learn about the history and folklore of the area with a visit to Phnom Pros (Man Hill) and then Wat Nokor, an 11th century temple that has a modern pagoda built within. Alternatively wander through the ecotourism village of Cheung Kok and see how the villagers are being helped by a French NGO to develop a community based eco-tourism project. Or spend your time wandering through the shops and along the river front of Kampong Cham.Later, return to the comfort of your ship for a champagne farewell reception and dinner.
Drive to Siem Reap with stops at a stone cutters village, Kampong Thom and the ancient Khmer bridge at Kampong Kdei. Be greeted with a welcome drink upon arrival at your hotel, your home for a three night special stay.
Free choice Dining: Relax at the Dining Room restaurant whilst watching Apsara dancers, or choose from Italian or Khmer at local restaurants near Pub Street.Take your VIP seat at the colourful Cambodian Circus, Phare. (Please note some departures may vary).
Begin the day with a visit to Angkor Thom, the multi-faced Bayon Temple and the Elephant Terrace. After lunch, visit the atmospheric Ta Prohm for those ideal late afternoon photos.
Enrich: Learn about an initiative that trains local Cambodian archaeologists to take over the ongoing temple maintenance.
Free choice Dining: Choose between Khmer cuisine or French Fusion.
Enrich: Sunrise Angkor Wat Marvel at sunrise over the magnificent Angkor Wat with a glass of champagne. Afterwards walk through the temple before taking an included tethered balloon ride for spectacular aerial views.
Free choice: Visit Banteay Srei and the Landmine Museum or explore Beng Mealea temple and the Artisan D’Angkor Handicraft Centre. For the more adventurous enjoy a vintage Vespa ride in Siem Reap. Ride as a passenger on a vintage Vespa off the beaten path, so you’ll find that there’s rarely another tourist in sight. Or, take a tethered balloon ride to experience the spectacular aerial view of Angkor Wat (weather dependent) before visiting the Pouk Silk Farm and lesser known Preah Khan Temple. Alternatively, cruise on Tonle Sap Lake.
Enrich: Apsara Temple dinner Tonight be wowed by a magical themed gala dinner, drinks and show surrounded by Apsara dancers performing in front of floodlit and candle-lit temple ruins.
Depart Cambodia treasuring many wonderful memories.
– There may be cancellation fees charged by suppliers (hotels, airlines…) once these bookings are made and paid. These fee shall by paid by travelers.
– These are maximum cancellation fees to be flexible applied:
This website uses cookies.
