Itinerary
- Intro
Introduction
- Day 1
Hanoi
HanoiLandmarks Sofitel Legend Metropole - Day 2
Hanoi to Halong Bay
Hanoi to Halong Bay- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast at hotel
- Two-night cruise on Bhaya Soul luxury ship in Halong Bay
Landmarks Halong Bay - Day 3
Halong Bay
Halong BayIncluded Activities
- Tai Chi lesson on Sun Deck
- Kayaking through limestone cave system
- Bike ride on Cat Ba Island
- Scenic Sundowners wine tasting at sunset
- Squid fishing from ship deck
Landmarks Halong Bay Cat Ba Island - Day 4
Halong Bay to Hanoi
Halong Bay to HanoiIncluded Activities
- Leisurely morning cruise return to harbour
- Historical bunker tour beneath Sofitel Legend Metropole
Optional Activities
- French-inspired dinner at Angelina Restaurant at Metropole
- Home-cooked meal with a local Hanoian family
- Vespa foodie tour through Old Quarter lantern-lit streets with complimentary drinks
Landmarks Sofitel Legend Metropole - Day 5
Hanoi
HanoiIncluded Activities
- VIP water puppet theatre performance with backstage pass access
Optional Activities
- Visit to Imperial Citadel of Thang Long and Hoa Lo Prison
- Visit to Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and Temple of Literature with Old Quarter egg coffee experience
- Visit to ancient village of Bat Trang with traditional porcelain and pottery demonstration, local elder sharing spiritual beliefs, and hands-on lunch of Bánh Cuốn rice pancakes
Landmarks Imperial Citadel of Thang Long Hoa Lo Prison Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum Temple of Literature Bat Trang Village Hanoi Water Puppet Theatre - Day 6
Hanoi to Hoi An
Hanoi to Hoi AnOptional Activities
- Vietnamese street food at Morning Glory Signature Restaurant
- Dinner at Mango Mango in the heart of Ancient Town
- Dinner at The Field with tables set among rice paddies blending Vietnamese tradition with contemporary cuisine
Landmarks Marble Mountains Hoi An Ancient Town - Day 7
Hoi An
Hoi An- Meals
- Lunch (Signature local dishes including Cao Lầu, Com Gà and Bánh Mì)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of World Heritage-listed Old Quarter
- Visit to Japanese Covered Bridge
- Visit to central market
- Lunch with signature local dishes (Cao Lầu, Com Gà, Bánh Mì)
- 60-minute spa treatment (included for every guest)
- Scenic Sundowners at Ember & Sip Bar with included beer and wine
Optional Activities
- Hotel pool
- Explore tailors' quarter
Landmarks Japanese Covered Bridge Hoi An Central Market Ember & Sip Bar - Day 8
Hoi An
Hoi AnOptional Activities
- Visit to ancient Cham ruins of My Son with local lunch
- Bicycle ride to fishing village with bamboo basket boat experience and sampan return through water palms
- Lantern-making class with Reaching Out NGO at historic merchant house
- Vietnamese cooking class at Red Bridge Cooking School on Thu Bon River banks
Landmarks My Son Red Bridge Cooking School - Day 9
Hoi An to Hue
Hoi An to Hue- Meals
- Lunch (Vegetarian lunch at Tinh Tam Restaurant at Duc Son Pagoda supporting nuns' orphanage), Dinner (Traditional Vietnamese family-style cuisine in private garden house with Royal Hue court music and welcoming glass of wine)
Included Activities
- Travel via Hai Van Pass
- Vegetarian lunch at Tinh Tam Restaurant at Duc Son Pagoda supporting nuns' orphanage
- Tour of Imperial Citadel
- Cyclo ride around Dai Noi 'Old City' and Tinh Tam Lake
- Scenic Enrich: Traditional Vietnamese family-style dinner in private garden house with Royal Hue court music and wine
Landmarks Hai Van Pass Duc Son Pagoda Imperial Citadel of Hue Tinh Tam Lake - Day 10
Hue to Ho Chi Minh City
Hue to Ho Chi Minh CityIncluded Activities
- Visit to Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc
Optional Activities
- Walking exploration of Notre Dame Cathedral
- Walking exploration of Central Post Office
- Walking exploration of Opera House
Landmarks Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc Notre Dame Cathedral Central Post Office Opera House - Day 11
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City- Meals
- Lunch (Pho lunch)
Included Activities
- Visit to Cu Chi Tunnels with tour through over 250 kilometres of hand-dug underground passages
- Pho lunch
Optional Activities
- Vespa night ride with experienced driver through city streets, stopping at best local spots with unlimited Vietnamese cuisine and drinks
- Dinner at Mandarine Restaurant designed in style of Hue imperial court with individual Vietnamese dishes
- Dinner at Noir Dining in the Dark, restaurant supporting blind and visually impaired community
- Vintage Jeep street food and bars tour of Saigon
- Dinner at Buffet 19 at hotel
Landmarks Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 12
Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Cruise
Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Cruise- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (On board Scenic Spirit)
Included Activities
- Visit to War Museum
- Visit to Reunification Palace
- Lunch on board Scenic Spirit
- Cruise down Saigon River to Mekong Delta
Landmarks War Museum Reunification Palace Saigon Port Cho Gao Canal - Day 13
Cho Gao Canal to Ben Tre
Cho Gao Canal to Ben TreIncluded Activities
- Cruise through Cho Gao Canal observation of commercial waterway
- Visit to Tan My Floating community
- Visit to Thoi Binh hamlet in Ben Tre
- Electric buggy ride through local plantations
- Visit to mushroom farm
- Visit to fruit farm with sampling
- Visit to honey farm with local sweets
- Cruise to Sa Dec
Landmarks Cho Gao Canal Ben Tre Tan My Floating Community Thoi Binh Hamlet - Day 14
Sa Dec to Tan Chau
Sa Dec to Tan Chau- Meals
- Lunch (On board Scenic Spirit while cruising to Tân Châu)
Included Activities
- Sampan exploration of Sa Dec wet market with local seller meetings
- Visit to grand home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le
- Lunch on board while cruising to Tân Châu
- Lion dance performance by local troupe
Optional Activities
- On-board library visit
- Learning about upcoming ports
- Relaxation in Scenic Spirit lounge with wine and fellow guests
Landmarks Sa Dec Sa Dec Wet Market Huynh Thuy Le House Tan Chau - Day 15
Tan Chau and the Border Crossing
Tan Chau and the Border CrossingOptional Activities
- On-board gym exercise
- Early morning Tai Chi class
- Sauna relaxation
- Sampan journey through Tra Su Bird Sanctuary with over 100 species of waterbirds (July to December)
- Traditional life exploration on Evergreen Island meeting local farmers with xe loi bicycle rickshaw ride through Tân Châu and Cao Dai temple visit
- Exploration of Chau Doc visiting ornate Tay An temple at foot of Sam Mountain, sampan discovery of Vinh Te Canal and daily life along riverfront
Landmarks Tra Su Bird Sanctuary Evergreen Island Cao Dai Temple Chau Doc Tay An Temple Vinh Te Canal - Day 16
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Return to Scenic Spirit for lunch)
Included Activities
- Scenic Sundowners experience at local rum distillery with private tour and tasting
Optional Activities
- Tour to Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum housed in former prison and school
- Hands-on cooking class with trip to bustling market purchasing ingredients then cooking own lunch learning Cambodian cuisine styles and flavours
- Remork exploration of French architecture and history of Phnom Penh finishing with shopping at Central Market with Art Deco design
- Afternoon leisure at hotel or exploring city
Landmarks Killing Fields Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Central Market - Day 17
Phnom Penh to Oudong
Phnom Penh to OudongIncluded Activities
- Ox cart ride to local temple from Kampong Tralach
- Visit to ancient capital of Oudong and monastery with monks and nuns
- Exploration of Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda
- Cultural performance by Cambodian Student and Children's Organisation
- Scenic Sundowners cocktail reception on Sun Deck
Optional Activities
- Participation in monastery festivals and traditional rituals
Landmarks Kampong Tralach Oudong Royal Palace Silver Pagoda - Day 18
Silk Island to Angkor Ban
Silk Island to Angkor Ban- Meals
- Lunch (On board Scenic Spirit)
Included Activities
- Exploration of Oknha Tey island dedicated to silk weaving
- Traditional tuk tuk ride to silk farm
- Meeting silk farm workers and learning about silk production
- Visit to Angkor Ban with exploration of historic wooden houses over 100 years old
- Krama traditional Cambodian scarf wearing lesson on board
Optional Activities
- Pool swim with cocktail at Scenic Spirit
Landmarks Oknha Tey Island Angkor Ban Kampong Cham - Day 19
Wat Hanchey to Kampong Cham
Wat Hanchey to Kampong Cham- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner with Scenic crew)
Included Activities
- Visit to Wat Hanchey ancient hilltop pagoda and monastery with elevated Mekong views
- Scenic Enrich alms ceremony contributing to monks' daily meal
- Traditional Buddhist blessing at Wat Hanchey
- Learning to pray in Buddhist pagoda
- Sunset viewing over Cambodian skyline
- Farewell dinner with Scenic crew
Optional Activities
- Exploration of Phnom Pros mountaintop pagoda with Khmer Rouge history followed by Wat Nokor Bachey with newer temple in Angkorian-era complex
- Exploration of Kampong Cham heritage and industry passing French colonial shop houses and Central Market before visiting rubber plantation and betel nut-growing village
- Visit to Koh Pen Village crossing to Bamboo Island by bridge or ferry with local remork ride learning about farming community
Landmarks Wat Hanchey Phnom Pros Wat Nokor Bachey Kampong Cham Koh Pen Village Bamboo Island - Day 20
Kampong Cham to Siem Reap
Kampong Cham to Siem ReapIncluded Activities
- Stop at traditional stone cutters' village
- Premium seating at Cambodian Circus, Phare
Landmarks Kampong Thom Angkorian Bridge at Kampong Kdei Phare Cambodian Circus - Day 21
Siem Reap
Siem Reap- Meals
- Breakfast (Champagne buffet breakfast at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Champagne buffet breakfast at hotel
- Afternoon visit to Angkor Wat
Optional Activities
- Explore 10th century Banteay Srei Temple
- Visit Landmine Museum
- Senteurs d'Angkor workshop - produce souvenir with local artisans
- Village walk through Ta Brak Village
- Cruise on Tonlé Sap Lake (July to February only)
- Angkor Wildlife Aquarium with behind-the-scenes tour, feeding sessions, and meet park animals
- One-hour spa treatment at Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor
- Leisurely lunch at Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor
- Shopping at night markets of Siem Reap
- Visit Pub Street
Landmarks Banteay Srei Temple Landmine Museum Ta Brak Village Tonlé Sap Lake Angkor Wildlife Aquarium Angkor Wat Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor - Day 22
Siem Reap
Siem Reap- Meals
- Breakfast (Champagne breakfast prepared by NGO-supported local bakery school), Dinner (Private gala-themed dinner at Prasat Kravan 10th-century temple with five reddish brick towers, free flow drinks and Apsara dancer performances in front of candle-lit temple ruins)
Included Activities
- Early morning Scenic Enrich sunrise viewing at Angkor Wat
- Champagne breakfast prepared by NGO-supported local bakery school
- Visit to Ta Prohm Temple (jungle-covered)
- Visit to Angkor Thom
- Visit to Bayon Temple with multi-faced design
- Scenic Enrich private gala-themed dinner at Prasat Kravan 10th-century temple with five reddish brick towers
- Free flow drinks at gala dinner
- Apsara dancer performance at gala dinner
Optional Activities
- Afternoon exploration of Siem Reap markets
- Afternoon relaxation at hotel
Landmarks Angkor Wat Ta Prohm Temple Angkor Thom Bayon Temple Prasat Kravan - Day 23
Siem Reap to Luang Prabang
Siem Reap to Luang PrabangLandmarks Luang Prabang - Day 24
Luang Prabang
Luang PrabangIncluded Activities
- Visit to Kuang Si waterfalls and turquoise swimming holes within dense jungle
- Boat cruise along the Mekong River
- Stop at rice wine village
- Visit to Pak Ou Caves with thousands of gold Buddha statues in limestone cliffs
- Pétanque lesson with locals
Optional Activities
- Night market exploration
Landmarks Kuang Si Waterfalls Mekong River Pak Ou Caves - Day 25
Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional lunch prepared with local family using locally gathered produce and time-honoured cooking techniques)
Included Activities
- Early morning monks' alms collection experience
Optional Activities
- Living Land farm experience stepping into Laotian agriculture daily rhythms, learning rice growing and harvesting with hands-on involvement
- Traditional lunch preparation with local family using locally gathered produce and time-honoured cooking techniques
- Travel to Ban Chan village and Laos Pottery House shaping own piece using methods of royal pottery makers
Landmarks Living Land Farm Ban Chan Village Laos Pottery House - Day 26
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner on balcony overlooking Nam Song River and mountains as light fades from peaks)
Included Activities
- Visit to Wat Xieng Thong founded in 1560, one of most important temples in Laos
- Visit to Wat Mai
- Visit to former Royal Palace now National Museum
- Long-tail boat ride at sunset
- Dinner on balcony overlooking Nam Song River and mountains
Landmarks Wat Xieng Thong Wat Mai Former Royal Palace Nam Song River - Day 27
Vang Vieng to Vientiane
Vang Vieng to Vientiane- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner reflecting on 18 days of discovery)
Included Activities
- Visit to Chang Caves discovered by villagers during wars
- Visit to COPE (Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise) learning about organization restoring mobility for those affected by unexploded ordnance
- Farewell dinner
Landmarks Chang Caves COPE - Day 28
Vientiane to Bangkok
Vientiane to BangkokIncluded Activities
- Visit to Pha That Luang, gold-covered stupa and national symbol of Laos
- Visit to Patuxay Monument built 1957-1968 honouring independence fighters from France
Landmarks Pha That Luang Patuxay Monument
