Day 1 - Sunday - Sep 8, 2024
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 - Monday - Sep 9, 2024
Rise and shine to a day of exploration in this nostalgic city with your first Scenic Freechoice. Enjoy a "green" electric car tour through Hanoi's old quarter to tonight's Enrich activity.
Day 3 - Tuesday - Sep 10, 2024
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 - Wednesday - Sep 11, 2024
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. After your adventure ashore, head back to the ship to enjoy an exclusive to Scenic guests Sundowners activity while at anchor. Soak up the aromas in a wine tasting set against the backdrop of the karst islands at sunset. Later, after enjoying the fine local cuisine in the onboard restaurant, try your hand at some squid fishing from the boat.
Day 5 - Thursday - Sep 12, 2024
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 - Friday - Sep 13, 2024
After breakfast, check out and transfer to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, continue south past Marble Mountains to the ancient trading port town of Hoi An. Here, enjoy a three-night stay at your resort, which includes a daily spa journey as part of your stay.
Day 7 - Saturday - Sep 14, 2024
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 8 - Sunday - Sep 15, 2024
Start the day refreshed and ready to join your Scenic Freechoice activity. After your morning of adventures, arrive back at your resort where you are then free to head back into town to explore on your own.
Day 9 - Monday - Sep 16, 2024
This morning, travel via the breath-taking Hai Van Pass to Hue, the former imperial capital. In the afternoon, enjoy a cyclo ride to Hue's Imperial Citadel before wandering though the grandeur of its ruins. Afterwards, check into your hotel, your home for the night.
Day 10 - Tuesday - Sep 17, 2024
| Ho Chi Minh City (Formerly Saigon), Vietnam |
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Your final day in Central Vietnam 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. After exploring the grounds, head to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. After your flight, transfer to your hotel for the next two nights. Before dinner, take a leisurely walk around the Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera House, and Central Post Office.
Day 11 - Wednesday - Sep 18, 2024
| Ho Chi Minh City (Formerly Saigon), Vietnam |
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| 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 the city for lunch and the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
Day 12 - Thursday - Sep 19, 2024
| Ho Chi Minh City (Formerly Saigon), Vietnam |
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After breakfast and check-out, visit the War Museum and Reunification Palace. The former Presidential House of South Vietnam 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. After lunch in Ho Chi Minh City, a motorcoach will transfer you to My Tho where the luxurious Scenic Spirit awaits. Start with a cocktail reception hosted by your hotel and 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. A calm 4-hour sail brings you to halt off Cai Be where the ship will anchor overnight.
Day 13 - Friday - Sep 20, 2024
Enjoy a full gourmet champagne breakfast before heading out on your chosen Scenic Freechoice excursion. After your morning activity, head back to the ship for lunch while sailing to Sa Dec. You may wish to unwind in the Scenic Spirit library to learn more about each port you will visit and the exciting activities ahead. 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.
Day 14 - Saturday - Sep 21, 2024
This morning, re-board your sampan to explore and interact with the sellers in the lively wet market in Sa Dec 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 (currently under restoration) who inspired Marguerite Duras to write novel L'Amant, a story of tragic love told by your entertaining local expert. After returning to the ship, you will have time to take an evening dip in the pool overlooking the Mekong as the sun sets. The ship will set sail after your arrival back onboard for the 6-hour journey to Tan Chau. After dinner, retire in your suite for a restful cruise up the Mekong River.
Day 15 - Sunday - Sep 22, 2024
| Vietnam-Cambodia Border Crossing, Vietnam |
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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 a Scenic Freechoice excursion of your choosing in the areas surrounding Tan Chau. After lunch upon your arrival back onboard, enjoy sailing to the Vietnamese and Cambodian border. Some down time is a great way to relax and what better way to do that than heading to the Wellness Centre or Beauty Salon for a bit of pampering. While the ship is at anchor at the border, you will experience a fantastically themed dinner onboard Scenic Spirit along with a lion dance performed by locals on the expansive Sun Deck.
Day 16 - Monday - Sep 23, 2024
| Vietnam-Cambodia Border Crossing, Vietnam |
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Your morning is at leisure after clearing immigration. Attend an onboard demonstration or enjoy some relaxation time in the library and observation lounge, by the pool, or in the privacy of your spacious suite while sailing upstream from the Vietnamese border to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.
Day 17 - Tuesday - Sep 24, 2024
After breakfast, it's time to head into Phnom Penh. Soak in Cambodia's rich history; from the food, the people, and the remarkable temples that have stood for thousands of years. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure.
Day 18 - Wednesday - Sep 25, 2024
Board your motorcoach for the short drive to the former capital of Cambodia, Oudong. Witness the life of the monks and nuns who reside at the monastery and if you are lucky, you may be able to join in one of the many festivals and customs often held here. 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. 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. Enjoy the passing scenery and panoramic views as the ships sets sail towards Oknha Tey, commonly known as Silk Island.
Day 19 - Thursday - Sep 26, 2024
| Koh Oknha Tey, Cambodia, Cambodia |
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This morning, we explore the island of Oknha Tey, 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 for lunch and some free time. You may wish to socialize by the pool with a refreshing cocktail and swim. Next port after lunch is Angkor Ban. Explore its historical rural wooden houses, which survived the Khmer Rouge and visit a school that teaches English to the local students after their regular school lessons. Back onboard, continue sailing to Kampong Cham. Immerse yourself in local culture with Scenic team by learning how to make and wear the Cambodian scarf.
Day 20 - Friday - Sep 27, 2024
Meet the novice monks at Wat Hanchey, an ancient hilltop pagoda and monastery. Walk (or drive) to the top and soak in some of the best elevated views of the cruise. Back in Kampong Cham, your Scenic Freechoices this afternoon provide the chance to learn about the history and industries of the area. Back onboard Scenic Spirit, enjoy some time to relax and overlook the gorgeous sunset of the Cambodian skyline before your engaging farewell dinner with the crew.
Day 21 - Saturday - Sep 28, 2024
| Kampong Kdei, Cambodia, Cambodia |
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Today, we journey to Siem Reap via stops at Kampong Thom and the Angkorian bridge in Kampong Kdei. Siem Reap is a split in time with ancient and traditional architecture weaved between the modern developments. Your hotel, is a step back in time in the definition of luxury and 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 the attentive staff provide a service beyond expectations, and brilliant amenities fit for royalty. This evening, head to the colorful 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 theater, music, dance, and modern circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories; historical, folk, and modern.
Day 22 - Sunday - Sep 29, 2024
The second day of 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. After the day of adventure, tonight is free to shop away at the night markets of Siem Reap or venture to Pub Street, both in walking distance or a short tuk tuk ride from your hotel.
Day 23 - Monday - Sep 30, 2024
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 24 - Tuesday - Oct 1, 2024
It is time to bid farewell to your fellow travellers and Scenic team as you get ready to depart Cambodia for your homeland or extended travels. Transfer to the airport and leave with a full camera and stunning memories to treasure. This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. Disruptions to cruising and alteration to itinerary arrangements may occur. Hotels are indicative and are subject to change.
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