17-night Asia & Indian Ocean cruise: Hanoi to Siem Reap on Scenic Spirit
The Highlights of Vietnam, Cambodia & Luxury Mekong is a 17-night Asia & Indian Ocean cruise aboard Scenic Spirit, operated by Scenic River Cruises. Departing Hanoi on September 22, 2026 and arriving in Siem Reap on October 9, 2026, the voyage visits 10 ports including Ha Long Bay, Ho Chi Minh City, Sa Dec. Fares start from $18,521 per person.
Dotted with thousands of limestone islets, Ha Long Bay is a breathtaking World Heritage Site that calls out to be explored. Hop on a kayak or take a boat tour to get close to these jungle-capped karst wonders or explore the caves inside. If history draws you, head 60 miles west to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam for 1,000 years. Rich in native and French colonial influences in architecture, it has been called the "Paris of Asia." The grounds of the Temple of Literature and ancient university are particularly stunning.
Ha Long Bay
The extraordinary, mossy limestone mountains that rear from the waters of Ha Long Bay form one of the most spectacular natural landscapes on the planet. At least 1,600 green islands rise over a flotilla of strung-together fishing boats and floating villages. Spectacular at any time, sunset bathes the remarkable limestone formations in warm, honey-coloured light, adding an extra layer to the seascape's heart-stirring beauty. Emerald green sea washes around this immense network of islands and limestone outcrops, which you can explore at leisure on junk boats and by sea kayak. View less
Local legend says the islands were formed when a dragon descended, spitting fire and emerald and jade jewels across the water to deter invaders. The sheer scale points to the supernatural – but scientists stubbornly maintain that this collection of towering sculptures was the result of various forms of erosion and a flood of seawater following the ice age. The water continues to chip away at the islands, and you can venture into the mouths of caves hollowed out by the relentless wash of the waves. Dau Go Cave and Sung Sot Caves are adorned with rows of spectacular stalactites, descending like dragon teeth from above. Investigate via boat, and find island jewels like Ti Top - a sharp, slope of land decorated with a crisp fringe of gleaming sand. The seaplanes that soar overhead, offer a magnificent bird's eye perspective. Located in Vietnam's northeast, the unique topography that forms the islands continues into neighbouring national parks like Cat Ba - which rises and falls in a similar, jaggedly undulating fashion, just without the flooded seawater in-between.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant port of call for MSC cruise liners on MSC Grand Voyages cruise itineraries.
It’s a fury of sights and sounds, and the crucible in which Vietnam’s rallying fortunes are boiling. Few corners of the city afford respite from the cacophony of construction work casting up new office blocks and hotels with logic-defying speed. An increasing number of cars and minibuses jostle with an organic mass of state-of-the-art Honda SUVs, choking the tree-lined streets and boulevards.
Amid this melee, the local people go about their daily life: smartly dressed schoolkids wander past streetside baguette-sellers; women shoppers ride motorbikes clad in gangster-style bandanas to protect their skin from the sun and dust; while teenagers in designer jeans chirrup into mobile phones. MSC Cruises shore excursions can be a clever option to see much of Ho Chi Minh City’s fun that derives from the simple pleasure of absorbing its flurry of activity – something best done from the seat of a cyclo or a roadside café.
To blink is to miss some new and singular sight, be it a motorbike stacked high with piglets bound for the market, or a boy on a bicycle rapping out a staccato tattoo on pieces of bamboo to advertise noodles for sale.
For some visitors, the American war is their primary frame of reference and such historical hot spots as the Reunification Palace rank highly on their itineraries. In addition, ostentatious reminders of French rule abound, among them such memorable buildings as Notre Dame Cathedral and the grandiose Hotel de Ville – but even these look spanking-new when compared to gloriously musty edifices like Quan Am Pagoda and the Jade Emperor Pagoda, just a couple of the many captivating places of worship across the city. And don’t miss Ben Thanh Market, the teeming Vietnamese market par excellence, check the city’s pulse here on an early morning stroll.
Scenic’s Mekong River cruises take place aboard Scenic Spirit, a 279-foot vessel that was launched in 2016 and can accommodate 68 passengers in 34 one-bedroom balcony suites. The Scenic Spirit, offers an almost 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio and is equipped with a sleek swimming pool, a steam sauna, and an open-air cinema.
The brand new, custom-built 5-Star ships are the most spacious, luxurious and indulgent vessels on the Mekong and Irrawaddy rivers. With an almost 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio, the largest suites available on the waters on South East Asia, and an opulent collection of decadent amenities at your disposal, guests on board will enjoy the ultimate river cruise experience.
Scenic Spirit represents a connection between tradition and innovation. The resort-style pool, relaxing steam sauna and open-air cinema are the sort of facilities you would expect to find in a world-class hotel, while our quiet library, beauty salon and tranquil wellness center offer an abundance of places to escape for a little privacy – or even an indulgent treatment.
The journeys to South East Asia combine the best of all-inclusive river cruising. While on board our 5-star fleet almost everything you can think of is included, from unlimited complimentary drinks and diverse dining to near-daily sightseeing excursions, butler service and even a minibar that’s replenished daily. If you choose to extend your journey, you’ll stay in exceptional hotels where breakfast is included every day. With so much to see, you’ll continue to explore with your Freechoice and Enrich programs, while also enjoying the freedom to discover your destination independently.
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