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.
Freechoice:
Enjoy a “green” electric car tour through Hanoi’s old quarter to tonight’s Enrich activity.
Enrich: For your Enrich Activity, attend a customary 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, checkout 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 new luxury Bhaya Soul for an awe-inspiring trip through the picturesque waters of this spectacular 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 Halong Bay reaching areas of the bay far beyond the day trippers and overnight cruises. (B/L/D)
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 whilst 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. (B/L/D)
Relax during your morning cruise back to the harbour. After stopping for lunch and shopping en-route back to Hanoi, arrive back for an overnight stay. 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 1000 years.
Freechoice Dining: Tonight, you have a choice of venues for your dinner through Scenic’s Freechoice. Inspired by Parisian cafés, enjoy a taste of France right in the heart of Hanoi’s bustling street life at the La Terrace at your hotel.
Or indulge in Vietnamese dishes with a refined Indochine style at Ha Thanh Mansion Restaurant, housed within a century-old villa that stands as a testament to the rich history of Tonkin.
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 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.
Dine on Vietnamese street food style dishes at Morning Glory Signature Restaurant or choose Mango Mango Restaurant nestled in the heart of Hoi An’s Ancient Town.
Alternatively, nestled amongst the surrounding farmland, dine in the middle of rice paddies in a cosy and romantic setting whilst enjoying traditional Vietnamese and fusion cuisine at The Field Hoi An Restaurant and Bar. (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 try some local street food specialties of Hoi An such as Com Gà, Cao Lau and Bánh Mì at a local restaurant.
The afternoon is at your leisure, perhaps to get a massage using your included spa treatment, swim in the hotel’s large resort style pool or continuing shopping in the old town, visiting the many tailors the town is known for.
Sunset Drinks: Enjoy your Scenic Sundowners, 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 activity.
Freechoice:
After your morning of adventures, arrive back at the Almanity Resort where you are then free to head back into town to explore on your own. (B)
This morning travel via the breath-taking Hai Van Pass to Hue, the former imperial capital. 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 Vegetarian lunch at Tinh Tam Restaurant. In the afternoon, wander though the grandeur of Hue’s Imperial Citadel ruins before enjoying a cyclo ride back to the hotel. Afterwards check into your hotel in Hue, your home for the night.
Enrich: Traditional Vietnamese cuisine is served family style at the private Garden House accompanied by Royal Hue court music and a glass of wine. (B/L/D)
Your final day in the centre 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 historic hotel 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 a Pho lunch with the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
Freechoice Dining: Tonight, choose your Scenic Free Choice dining option from an exhilarating Vespa ride at night as your experienced driver winds in and out the hectic traffic of the streets, stopping at all the best local spots for the most scrumptious Vietnamese cuisines. Sample the best authentic street food and an unlimited supply of drinks and eating however much your stomach desires.
Alternatively, dine at Mandarine Restaurant, designed in the style of the Hue imperial court serving individual Vietnamese dishes. Or for something totally different dine at Noir Dining in the Dark, a restaurant dedicated to helping the blind and visually impaired community. Other choices include experiencing the street food and bars of Saigon on a Vintage Jeep or enjoying the offerings at Buffet 19 at your hotel. (B/L/D)
After breakfast and checkout, 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, a coach will transfer you to My Tho where the breathtaking Scenic Spirit awaits. Start 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, settling into your private suite does not mean you settle for service. At any time, your dedicated personal butler is free to swing by with a nightcap and delivery of your preferred pillows. A calm 4-hour sail brings you to an anchorage off Cai Be where the ship will stay overnight. (B/L/D)
Start the day with a full gourmet breakfast – complete with champagne – before heading out to explore Cai Be.
Freechoice:
After your morning activity, head back to the ship for lunch whilst sailing to Sa Dec. Relax and soak in the beauty of the scenery, visit the on-board library to read up on future ports, or head to the Scenic Spirit lounge to unwind with fellow guests over a glass of wine. (B/L/D)
Board your sampan once again to explore the lively wet market where you can meet the sellers and marvel at their wares, including live fish, frogs and even snakes. This two-hour exploration will take you deep into the local lifestyle. You can also see the grand home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, a Chinese merchant who inspired Marguerite Duras’ novel L’Amant. Your expert guide will reveal the secrets behind this passionate tale of tragic love.
After returning to the ship, you will have time to take an evening dip in the pool overlooking the Mekong as the sun sets. Before dinner, experience a fantastically themed dinner on board the Spirit along with a lion dance performed by locals on the expansive Sundeck. The ship will set sail after your arrival back on board for the 6-hour journey to Tan Chau. (B/L/D)
You may want to start with some exercise in the on-board gym, try stretching at the early morning yoga class or relax in the sauna. Then set off to discover the areas surrounding Tan Chau.
Freechoice:
After lunch upon your arrival back on board, 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. (B/L/D)
After clearing the border crossing procedure, the morning is at your leisure. Attend an on-board demonstration, enjoy some solitude in the library and observation lounge, or soak in the scenery from your private balcony whilst sailing upstream from the Vietnamese border to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.
Even the most developing countries have a standard of luxury and opulence. You can experience this this afternoon after arriving in Phnom Penh at the Royal Palace with the famous Silver Pagoda within, on your included visit to this must-see attraction.
Sunset Drinks: Later this evening, revel in our Phnom Penh by City Lights tour. You’ll get to witness the nightlife of the capital before stopping at a local rum distillery for your exclusive Scenic Sunset Drinks experience, including a private tour and tasting.
After breakfast, it will be time to head out and explore the city.
Freechoice:
At the conclusion of your tour, return to Scenic Spirit for lunch. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Later this evening before dinner enjoy a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation. (B/L/D)
Board a bus this morning for the short drive to the ancient capital of Cambodia, Oudong. Here, experience the life of the monks and nuns who reside at the peaceful monastery. If you are lucky, you may be able to partake in one of the many festivals and traditional rituals often held here.
Return to Scenic Spirit for lunch before setting sail towards Oknha Tey, dedicated to the art of silk weaving. Travel by tuk tuk to the farm and learn about the process of silk production.
Sunset Drinks: Get an outfit ready for an evening of style with a Sundowner cocktail reception on the sundeck against the backdrop of Phnom Penh’s stunning scenery as the ships departs to Angkor Ban. (B/L/D)
With travelling throughout South-East Asia comes the heat and what better way to cool down than socialising with a fresh cocktail and dipping your toes in the pool during your morning sail towards Angkor Ban. Learn the many ways to wear a krama, the traditional Cambodian scarf.
After lunch, you will call at Angkor Ban, a small settlement where time stands still. Explore its historic wooden houses, which date back over 100 years and survived the destruction of the Khmer Rouge. You can also visit a local school that teaches English to the students alongside their regular lessons. Back on board, learn the many ways to wear a krama, the traditional Cambodian scarf, as the ship sails towards Kampong Cham and Wat Hanchey. (B/L/D)
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.
Enrich: Receive a traditional blessing from a monk and learn how to pray in a Buddhist pagoda before partaking in an alms ceremony, which contributes to the daily meal of the resident monks.
Sail back to Kampong Cham.
Freechoice: This afternoon, explore Kampong Cham and its surrounds.
Back on board you will have time to relax and overlook the gorgeous sunset of the Cambodian skyline before your engaging farewell dinner with the crew. (B/L/D)
Today we journey to Siem Reap via stops at Kampong Tom and the Angkorian bridge in Kampong Kdei. Siem Reap is a split in time with ancient and traditional architecture weaved between the modern developments. Step back in time at your hotel, Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor, a 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, the attentive staff provide a service beyond expectations, and brilliant amenities fit for royalty.
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. (B/L)
The second day of your Siem Reap exploration starts with a delicious champagne buffet breakfast at the hotel.
Freechoice: As part of Scenic’s Freechoice you have multiple options to choose from.
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 idealic 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. (B/L)
Enrich: Begin the day with an early morning Scenic Enrich, marvel at the sunrise over the magnificent Angkor Wat before moving to a special location near a temple for a scrumptious champagne breakfast with food prepared by a Scenic sponsored, NGO supported local bakery school.
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.
Enrich: The final Scenic Enrich is truly a special and exclusive one, one that is best experienced first-hand to fully appreciate it’s scale. Your tour directors and Scenic team will leave you in awe as you enter a private magical gala themed dinner at Prasat Kravan, a small 10th-century temple consisting of five reddish brick towers on a common terrace. Including free flow drinks and a show featuring Apsara dancers in front of the candle lit temple ruins, this evening brings a most incredible end to what is a remarkable trip. (B/D)
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. (B)
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