2022/2023 Ho Chi Minh City > Siem Reap

Inspired by temples and traditions

Breathe in the essence of South East Asia during this enchanting journey from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to Siem Reap in Cambodia.

From the ancient hilltop pagoda of Wat Hanchey to the famous Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh, Scenic will unveil a multitude of experiences that will allow you to appreciate this magnificent waterway.

Tour Code:: VIMS
Duration:: 13 days
Departure City:: Ho Chi Minh City
Return City:: Siem Reap

Selected Itinerary

13 Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Ho Chi Minh City

Welcome to Vietnam. Relax for the next two nights at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2 - Ho Chi Minh City

Travel to the Cu Chi Tunnels and learn about the underground labyrinth of war-time passageways.

Freechoice Dining

Enjoy a Vespa foodie tour of Saigon by night, enjoy a meal in an old French colonial house or a restaurant specialising in Saigon street food. Alternatively, try Italian at Basilico or international fare at Nineteen Restaurant.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Ho Chi Minh City > Mekong Cruise

Discover Vietnam’s modern history through a visit to the Reunification Palace and War Museum. Later travel by coach to My Tho to board the luxurious Scenic Spirit. Toast the start of your cruise with a cocktail reception.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Cai Be > Sa Dec

Freechoice

Board a sampan to visit Cai Be, local cottage industries and a traditional Vietnamese house. Alternatively, savour morning tea at the colonial French home, Le Longanier or stay on board for a special activity.

Back on board make use of the ship’s luxury and take the time to sip on included cocktails by the pool or enjoy some solitude on your private balcony. Later, immerse yourself in the historic town of Sa Dec and interact with the sellers in the lively market. Also visit the home of Mr Huynh Thuy Le who inspired Marguerite Duras’ novel L’Amant.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Tan Chau

Freechoice

Stay in Tan Chau to visit Evergreen Island and enjoy a ride in a Xe Loi to a silk dye factory. In Chau Doc visit Vinh Te Canal and a family-operated fish farm, followed by Tây An Temple at Sam Mountain or visit Tra Su Bird Sanctuary.

The afternoon is at leisure to take advantage of the facilities of the most luxurious ship on the Mekong. Enjoy a themed dinner to say farewell to Vietnam.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Tan Chau > Phnom Penh

Arrive early this morning into the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh.

Freechoice

Journey to the Killing Fields and tour Tuol Sleng, the former school that was converted to the main prison of the Khmer Rouge, or take a guided tour of the local food market before joining a hands-on Khmer cooking demonstration. Alternatively, explore Phnom Penh’s colonial buildings by tuk tuk and visit the Central Market before stopping for lunch at a local NGO restaurant teaching street kids hospitality skills.

This afternoon time is yours for shopping or exploring on your own.

Enrich

Later this evening revel in our Phnom Penh by City Lights tour, giving you an insight to the nightlife of the capital before stopping at a distillery for an exclusive tour and tasting behind closed doors.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Phnom Penh > Oudong

Journey to the ancient capital of Oudong to visit the impressive pagoda and monastery. This afternoon marvel at the Royal Palace, featuring the famous Silver Pagoda, on your included visit to this must-see attraction.

Sundowners

Enjoy a cocktail reception on the Sun Deck against the backdrop of Phnom Penh’s lights as the ship sails from the capital at sunset.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Koh Dach > Angkor Ban

At Koh Dach Island, learn all about the art of silk weaving. Further upstream in Angkor Ban, explore its historical rural wooden houses, which survived the Khmer Rouge and visit a local teacher who teaches English to the local school children.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - Wat Hanchey > Kampong Cham

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 blessing from a monk and learn how to pray in a Buddhist pagoda before partaking in a ceremony, which contributes to the daily meal of the resident monks.

Return downstream to Kampong Cham, the quaint but largest city in the north and home to most of Cambodia’s Muslim population.

Freechoice

Learn the history of the area with a visit to Phnom Pros (Man Hill) and then Wat Nokor, an 11th-century temple that has a modern pagoda built within. Alternatively, explore the traditional village of Koh Pen or visit a rubber plantation factory and betel nut village.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 - Mekong Cruise > Siem Reap

Discover the rural side of Cambodia on your drive to Siem Reap, with stops at the Khmer bridge at Kampong Kdei, Kampong Thom and a stone cutters village along the way. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, check in to your historic hotel, your stylish three night Special Stay.

Enrich

Take your Premium Reserved seat at the colourful Cambodian Circus, Phare. Phare transforms the lives of Cambodian youth, where its artists use theatre, music, dance and circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11 - Siem Reap

Freechoice

Discover Banteay Srei, dedicated to Shiva and known as the ‘citadel of women’ and visit the Landmine Museum or admire the skills on display at Artisans D’Angkor. Alternatively, cruise on Tonle Sap (seasonal), take a remork (Tuk Tuk) ride to the markets or take a tethered balloon ride above Angkor Wat (weather dependent).

Later in the afternoon, a perfect time in the day for photography, visit the colossal Angkor Wat. Take advantage of your free night to visit the night markets, within walking distance to your hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12 - Siem Reap

Enrich

Marvel at sunrise over magnificent Angkor Wat before moving to a special location for a champagne breakfast with food prepared by an NGO supported local bakery school.

Visit the atmospheric, jungle covered Ta Prohm Temple, before stopping at Angkor Thom and the multi-faced Bayon Temple. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.

Enrich

Be wowed by a mystical themed Gala Dinner at an Angkor temple, with included free flow drinks and a show featuring Apsara dancers in front of candlelit temple ruins.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13 - Siem Reap

Depart Cambodia treasuring many wonderful memories.
This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above.
Please note: pre-release itinerary subject to change.

Meals Included: Breakfast