Day 1 - Thursday - Apr 10, 2025
Welcome to vibrant Vietnam, a world of color, culture, and food. Enjoy the day at leisure and settle into a two-night Special Stay at your iconic hotel. This colonial 'grand old lady' of Hanoi boasts luxury rooms and amenities with an exceptional staff to cater your needs and comforts.
Day 2 - Friday - Apr 11, 2025
Rise and shine to a day of exploration in this nostalgic city with your first Scenic Freechoice.
Day 3 - Saturday - Apr 12, 2025
After breakfast, check out of your luxury accommodation and begin your four-hour journey to Halong Bay. Along the way, you will drive through the prosperous farmlands of the Red River Delta before joining a two-night cruise onboard the Au Co for an awe-inspiring trip through the picturesque waters of this spectacular UNESCO World Heritage-listed icon. This stunning vessel provides a first-class experience from beginning to end. The luxurious features and suites allow a comfortable and exquisite way to explore reaching areas of the bay far beyond the day trippers and overnight cruises.
Day 4 - Sunday - Apr 13, 2025
After breakfast, enjoy a Tai Chi lesson on the Sun Deck as the ship sails deeper into the National Park. Take control and jump into a kayak to paddle your way through a limestone cave system, and later take a bike ride on Cat Ba Island. Cat Ba Island has to be one of the hidden beauties of the region. Twined with jungle and wildlife, the island remains mainly untouched from large development.
Day 5 - Monday - Apr 14, 2025
Relax during your morning cruise back to the harbor. After stopping for lunch and shopping en route back to Hanoi, arrive back for another night at your hotel. Later join a historical bunker tour at the hotel to learn about its place in the history of this capital city, a history that spans over 1,000 years.
Day 6 - Tuesday - Apr 15, 2025
Enjoy your morning at leisure in Hanoi before flying to Hue, the former imperial capital, in the afternoon. Check into your hotel, your home for the night.
Day 7 - Wednesday - Apr 16, 2025
Your day starts with breakfast before checking out and setting off on a morning excursion to the Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc, the last independent emperor of Imperial Vietnam before French colonization. Enjoy a cyclo ride to Hue's Imperial Citadel before wandering though the grandeur of its ruins. After lunch, travel along the breath-taking Hai Van Pass to the ancient town of Hoi An where you will enjoy a three-night stay at your resort, which includes a daily spa journey as part of your stay.
Day 8 - Thursday - Apr 17, 2025
Step back in time as you take a walking tour of Hoi An's UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Quarter, visiting the Japanese Bridge and central market where you can experience its incredible sights and aromas. Afterwards, stop at the home of a former merchant to learn all about what life is like in the old town of Hoi An, before trying some local street food specialists of Hoi An such as com ga, cao lau, and banh mi at a local restaurant. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure, perhaps to get a massage using your included spa treatment, swim in the hotel's large resort style pool, or continue shopping in the old town, visiting the many tailors the town is known for.
Day 9 - Friday - Apr 18, 2025
Start the day refreshed and ready to join your Scenic Freechoice activity.
Day 10 - Saturday - Apr 19, 2025
Your final day in the center of Vietnam starts with breakfast before checking out and setting off to the airport in Da Nang to fly to the regional city of Siem Reap. Your hotel is a step back in time in the definition of luxury and will be your historical home for the next three nights in Siem Reap. This brilliantly appointed accommodation is styled with a mix of French inspired architecture, local interior furnishings, and amenities fit for royalty with the attentive staff providing a service beyond expectations.
Day 11 - Sunday - Apr 20, 2025
Your Siem Reap exploration starts with a delicious champagne buffet breakfast at the hotel. Later this afternoon, explore Angkor Wat itself, the largest religious monument in the world. Originally constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire, it was gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century. An afternoon visit provides the perfect light for those idyllic pictures of this colossal structure. This evening head to the colourful Cambodian Phare Circus where your VIP premium reserved seating awaits you. Beautifully dressed performers style a stunning show that is more than just a circus. The performers use theatre, music, dance, and modern circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories; historical, folk, and modern.
Day 12 - Monday - Apr 21, 2025
After breakfast, visit the atmospheric, jungle-covered Ta Prohm Temple, before stopping at Angkor Thom and the multi-faced Bayon Temple. Fortunately, you have the remainder of the afternoon to discover more of the Siem Reap markets or relax at your luxury hotel after your early morning start.
Day 13 - Tuesday - Apr 22, 2025
| Kampong Kdei, Cambodia, Cambodia |
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Discover the rural side of Cambodia as your motorcoach will transfer you to Kampong Cham where the breathtaking Scenic Spirit awaits. Before arriving, you will be visiting the stunning Khmer bridge at Kampong Kdei, Kampong Thom, and a stone cutters' village. After boarding, begin your cruise in style with a cocktail reception hosted by your cruise director. Take a stroll around the decks to orientate yourself as to where all the amenities are. After your welcome dinner, settle into your private suite. At any time, your dedicated personal butler is available to assist with a nightcap and delivery of your preferred pillows.
Day 14 - Wednesday - Apr 23, 2025
Awake as you approach Wat Hanchey, an ancient hilltop pagoda and monastery. After learning about life as a novice monk from one of the locals, wander around the complex and admire the view over the Mekong River and surrounding countryside. Sail back to Kampong Cham.
Day 15 - Thursday - Apr 24, 2025
| Koh Oknha Tey, Cambodia, Cambodia |
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Upon arrival in Angkor Ban, explore its historical rural wooden houses, which survived the Khmer Rouge and visit a local pagoda where a private and solemn excursion at a Buddhist pagoda awaits. Afterwards return to Scenic Spirit for lunch and sail downstream to the island of Oknha Tey, where residents are dedicated to the art of silk weaving. Travel by tuk tuk to the farm and learn about the process of silk production. Return to Scenic Spirit where you may wish to absorb more about the local culture with the onboard team by learning how to make and wear the Cambodian scarf. Enjoy the amenities on Scenic Spirit and truly unwind. What better way to do so than by heading to the Wellness Centre or Beauty Salon for a bit of pampering. This evening, you may wish to dress up for the Scenic Sunset Drinks cocktail reception on the Sun Deck against the backdrop of Phnom Penh's lights and stunning scenery as we approach the capital of Cambodia.
Day 16 - Friday - Apr 25, 2025
Day 17 - Saturday - Apr 26, 2025
| Vietnam-Cambodia Border Crossing, Vietnam |
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Experience the opulent side of Phnom Penh this afternoon at the Royal Palace with the famous Silver Pagoda, during your included visit to this must-see attraction. Upon returning to the ship, set sail and say goodbye to Phnom Penh as we sail to the Cambodian and Vietnamese border. A relaxing afternoon of sailing will allow you to take advantage of the many exclusive facilities onboard Scenic Spirit. You may wish to unwind in the Scenic Spirit library to learn more about the ports you are visiting. Or head to the heart of this ship, the Scenic Spirit Lounge, which is a great place to unwind with a glass of wine and meet other guests. You may wish to socialize by the pool with a refreshing cocktail and swim, or just settle into the private comfort of your luxury suite. After clearing immigration into Vietnam at the border, experience a fantastically themed dinner onboard the Scenic Spirit along with a lion dance performed by locals on the expansive Sun Deck.
Day 18 - Sunday - Apr 27, 2025
You may wish to start your day with some exercise in the onboard gym, try stretching at the early morning yoga class, or relax in the sauna before setting off to on a Scenic Freechoice excursion of your choosing in the areas surrounding Tan Chau.
Day 19 - Monday - Apr 28, 2025
Upon arrival in Sa Dec, board your sampan to explore and interact with the sellers in the lively wet market where you will see live fishes, frogs, and even snakes. This 2-hour exploration lets you dive deep into the local lifestyle. You can also see the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le who inspired Marguerite Duras to write novel L'Amant, a story of tragic love told by your entertaining expert. After your morning excursion, head back to the Scenic Spirit for lunch while sailing downstream to Cai Be. Back onboard you will have time to relax and overlook the gorgeous sunset of the Vietnamese skyline and life on the Mekong River before your engaging farewell dinner with the crew.
Day 20 - Tuesday - Apr 29, 2025
| Ho Chi Minh City (Formerly Saigon), Vietnam |
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It is time to bid farewell to the Scenic Spirit as you wave goodbye to the staff and commence your 90-minute drive to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival visit the War Museum before an orientation tour around your hotel and a two-night stay at the historic Caravelle Saigon, located in the heart of District One and opposite the Opera House.
Day 21 - Wednesday - Apr 30, 2025
| Ho Chi Minh City (Formerly Saigon), Vietnam |
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After breakfast, travel to the Cu Chi Tunnels and spend the morning learning about the development and establishment of this hidden covered tunnel network that the Viet Cong soldiers hid in for months on end. Return to HCMC to explore the Reunification Palace, the former Presidential House of South Vietnam which become famous in 1975 with images of tanks crashing through its gates leading to the South's surrender and end of the War of Independence. Enjoy tonight's farewell dinner with your fellow travellers.
Day 22 - Thursday - May 1, 2025
| Ho Chi Minh City (Formerly Saigon), Vietnam |
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After check-out head to the airport as you get ready to depart Vietnam for your homeland or extended travels. Leave with a full camera and stunning memories to treasure.
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