Vietnam Explorer

Welcome to vibrant Vietnam, a world of colour, culture and food. Enjoy the day at leisure and settle into a two night Special Stay. This colonial ‘grand old lady’ of Hanoi boasts luxury rooms and amenities with an exceptional staff to cater your needs and comforts. (D)

Rise and shine to a day of exploration in this nostalgic city with your first Scenic Freechoice excursion.

Freechoice: Choose to visit the History Museum and Hoa Lo Prison. The National Museum of Vietnamese History displays artefacts from Vietnam's pre-history (up to 400,000 years ago) through to the 1945 Revolution. It has over 200,000 exhibits arranged in five major sections. Housed in a colonial French building completed in 1932, the design incorporated French colonial and traditional Vietnamese architecture. Continue to Hoa Lo Prison, which was used by the French for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for prisoners during the Vietnam War.

Alternatively, visit Ho Chi Minh Quarter and his Mausoleum, the resting place of Ho Chi Minh himself before visiting the Temple of Literature, originally built in 1070 as a university dedicated to Confucius, scholars and sages.

Thirdly, visit the ancient village of Bat Trang, a traditional porcelain and pottery community. This interactive experience will teach you the steps involved in making ceramic works of art. Afterwards at a house where locals worship their ancestors, an elder will explain the unique aspects of Vietnamese culture and their spiritual beliefs. Next, learn how to cook Bánh Cu?n or rice pancakes, a dish of northern Vietnam that you’ll then get to enjoy as part of a tasty self-made lunch.

Later, all guests will enjoy a “green” electric car tour through Hanoi’s Old Quarter to tonight’s Scenic Enrich event.

Enrich: Water puppetry originated in the villages of the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam and dates back as far as the 11th century. Tonight you will experience a performance of Hanoi’s famous water puppets. As a VIP ticket holder, you will have premium seating as well as the opportunity to learn the secrets behind this illusionary show thanks to your special backstage pass. (B/D)

After breakfast, check-out of your luxury accommodation and begin your four-hour journey to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Halong Bay. Along the way you will drive through the prosperous farmlands of the Red River Delta before joining a two-night cruise on board the Au Co for an awe-inspiring cruise through the picturesque waters of this spectacular icon.

The stunning Au Co provides a first-class experience from beginning to end. The luxurious features and suites allow a comfortable and exquisite way to explore Halong Bay reaching areas far beyond the day trippers and overnight cruises. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, you may wish to join a Tai Chi lesson on the Sun Deck as the ship sails deeper into the National Park. Jump into a kayak and 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. Twisted with jungle and wildlife, the island remains largely untouched by development. After your adventure ashore head back to the ship to enjoy an exclusive Sunset Drinks activity whilst at anchor.

Sunset Drinks 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. (B/L/D)

Relax during your morning cruise back to the harbour. After stopping for lunch and shopping en-route back to Hanoi for an overnight stay. Later join an historical bunker tour at the hotel to learn about its place in the history of this capital city that spans over 1,000 years.

Freechoice Dining: Tonight, you have a choice of venues for your dinner through Scenic’s Freechoice Dining. Stay in-house at the La Terrace at your hotel, or situated in the splendid surroundings of Hanoi’s French Quarter, near Hoan Kiem Lake and the Opera House, dine at the historic Press Club to experience a unique Michelin-star menu of traditional French dishes from the famous Chef Alain Dutournier.

For the more adventurous, ride tandem on the back on a Vespa with a guide for a foodie tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, stopping at local food haunts for authentic Hanoi Street food with free flow drinks enabling you get a feel of the nightlife and vibe of the local Hanoi culture. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, check-out and transfer to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Danang. Upon arrival continue by coach 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.

Freechoice Dining: After you have settled into your little slice of heaven, take the opportunity to enjoy a range of carefully selected dining venues for your Scenic Freechoice Dining this evening. Experience the charm of the Old Quarter at either the Morning Glory Signature Restaurant or Quang’s Kitchen Restaurant, styled on a nostalgic ancient Hoi An House. Alternatively head out of town to The Field Hoi An Restaurant and Bar, situated in the middle of rice paddies. Unwind in the romantic setting whilst enjoying traditional Vietnamese and fusion cuisine. (B/D)

Step back in time as you take a walking tour of Hoi An’s 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 about what life is like in the old town of Hoi An, before trying some of the local street food specialties of Hoi An such as Com Gà, Cao Lau and Bánh Mì 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 visit one of the many tailors the town is known for.

Sunset Drinks Enjoy your Scenic Sunset Drinks, a time to relax at a reception in the Blue Bar with included beer and wine. (B/L)

Start the day refreshed and ready to join your Scenic Freechoice excursion.

Freechoice: The option of a half day drip to My Son provides a glimpse into the area’s ancient history and a truly cultural highlight of Central Vietnam. The remaining structures of the Tower Temples provide an atmospheric image of the majesty of the Champa Kingdom. Stroll through the ruins and visit the small museum at the entrance to My Son before a local lunch.

The second option is to ride a bicycle to a local village to learn about the lives of Hoi An’s fishermen. Climb into a small, round bamboo fishing basket and learn to cast a fishing net in the traditional way. Then continue to an area filled with water palms and coconut trees and learn about the history of this part of Hoi An. Round off the adventure with a scenic boat trip back to Hoi An, savouring lunch on board.

Thirdly meet with the representative of Reaching Out, an NGO established in 2000 to gain insights into their efforts to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to gain skills and meaningful employment. Join a lantern making class at their workshop located in an old merchant house.

Alternatively, you have the choice of participating in a bicycle ride to a local farm in Tra Que Village. Soak in the beauty of the vegetable gardens and participate in the preparation of the land, fertilising it with seaweed with the local farmers. You will learn how to prepare ‘Tam Hu’u’, a local delicacy before sitting down for a home cooked meal including ‘Banh Xeo’ a specialty savory pancake wrapped in rice paper.

After your morning of adventures, arrive back at the resort where you are then free to head back into town to explore at your leisure. (B/L)

This morning travel via the breathtaking 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.

Enrich: This evening’s Royal Dinner is held in a traditional private garden house accompanied by Hue Royal Court music. (B/L/D)

Your final day in the center of 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 colonisation. After exploring the grounds, head to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. After your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, transfer to your hotel, your home for the next two nights. Before dinner take a leisurely walk around Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House, and the Central Post Office. (B/L/D)

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.

Freechoice Dining: Tonight, choose your Scenic Freechoice Dining option from an exhilarating Vespa ride at night as your experienced driver stops at the best local spots for the most scrumptious Vietnamese cuisine. Sample the best authentic street food and free flow drinks. Alternatively, dine at Secret Garden restaurant, a themed Vietnamese restaurant that is in a quintessentially Vietnamese house or try international fare at Nineteen Restaurant at your hotel or SHRI Restaurant and Lounge, which is set atop the new Centec Tower offering unparalleled panoramic views from nearly every table in the restaurant. (B/L/D)

It is time to bid farewell to your fellow travellers and Scenic team as you get ready to depart Vietnam 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. (B)