The spirit of the Mekong: Highlights of Southeast Asia, the Scenic way

Endless highlights unfold when cruising the mighty Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia. Here are some of the exclusive discoveries you can look forward to when exploring on board Scenic Spirit

It’s sunset on the Mekong River. But this mighty waterway – the lifeline of Southeast Asia – never sleeps. There are teak fishing boats and  ferries  coming and going, backdropped by the glow of the near-Equatorial sun dancing off terraces of rice fields. Buffalos meander along waterside tracks, followed by their owners in traditional non la hats made from bamboo. Dragonflies flit over water lilies near the banks; a flock of birds rise from the tree canopy in a synchronised chorus. This is the meditative way that you spend the end of the day when you’re cruising the Mekong on board Scenic Spirit.

The Scenic Difference

Whichever Scenic Spirit deck you’re enjoying the sunset from – whether the top Sun Deck or your suite’s private Scenic Sun Lounge – the outlook is just as stunning as the ship you’re on. Dedicated to the Mekong, Scenic Spirit caters for just 68 guests, ensconced in luxurious suites that come with artistic flourishes from across Vietnam and Cambodia, the beguiling region you’re floating through.

Thanks to a near 1:1 guest-to-crew ratio on board, service is impeccable. Staff greet you by name, butlerscan arrange spa treatments, and the crew serve you graciously in the ship’s restaurants and bars – there are up to four dining options to choose from. Your dedicated Cruise Director is also on call to arrange included Scenic Freechoice shore excursions, and work with expert guides on land to curate life-changing experiences available only to Scenic guests.

Just some of the highlights you can look forward to in the 2025/2026 season include: 

Receive a blessing from a monk

Buddhism flourishes across Southeast Asia, and the region’s spirituality is palpable at every turn. You, too, will feel your soul soar visiting a Buddhist pagoda in Cambodia and being blessed by a monk as part of a Scenic Enrich experience. The soft chant of monks fills the air during the ceremony, designed to protect you. And you’ll have the chance to return the gesture by giving alms, contributing the daily meals of resident monks.

Visit a distillery for a rum tasting

Rum is not a spirit typically associated with Cambodia. But in Phnom Penh, the capital’s only maker crafts boutique bottles that are at once unique and extremely tasty. You get to go behind the scenes to see how their rum is produced and then taste the wares, before ending the day on a high scooting around the illuminated city in a tuk tuk, its wats, palaces and monuments set aglow.

Exclusive dinner at Prasac Kravan Temple

The World Heritage-listed Buddhist-Hindu temples of Angkor are one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia, showcasing the remains of Cambodia’s Khmer Empire. Millions of people visit every year, but you’ll have 10^th-century Prasac Kravan Temple to yourself during an exclusive Scenic Enrich Gala Dinner. Sit down under the glow of lanterns and candles, and savour nuanced Cambodian delicacies. A meal you won’t forget in a hurry.  

Salute the sun at Angkor

Just as memorable as spending an evening under the stars at the Angkor Temple Complex is returning to watch the sun rise, casting stupas aglow in an ethereal light. You’ll see the day begin over fabled Angkor Wat – the most famous of its kind in the complex – before retreating to a nearby temple where you can toast your good fortune with a flute of champagne. Breakfast is prepared by a local NGO-supported bakery, one of the many organisations Scenic sponsors in the destinations it visits.

Zip off on a Vespa foodie tour

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have had diverse culinary influences over the centuries. But one thing these Vietnamese cities enjoy in common is a love for food. Jump on the back of a vintage Vespa – arguably the best (and most fun) way to get around – and take a deep dive into local delicacies and street food after dark. That might be pho bo (beef noodle soup) and bun cha (grilled pork noodles) in Hanoi, or banh mi (aka the ‘Saigon sandwich’) and com tam (broken rice) in Ho Chi Minh.

Now is the time to book your 2025/2026 Scenic Spiri Mekong River cruise today and enjoy exclusive savings, including cruising for 9 nights for the price of 7* on selected dates. To book visit scenic.com.au, call 138 128 or visit your local travel advisor.