Deluxe Stateroom Deck 3
25% Ponant Bonus
19 m²
2
Coastal Vietnam by Sea: Singapore to Hong Kong – with Smithsonian Journeys
Singapore - Hong Kong
Dates:
8/2/2026
to
22/2/2026
days
nights on board
Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included
In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.
This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.
For most of its existence, Vietnam has lived in the shadow of China or been subject to Western domination, first by the French and then by the Americans. But since the 1980s, it has emerged as a growing economy, striving to become one of the economic tigers of Southeast Asia. This 15-day voyage from Singapore to Hong Kong invites you to experience the many sides of Vietnam, from the ancient civilizations of Cham and Khmer, through Chinese influence and French colonialism, to the present day.
Sailing from Singapore through the South China Sea, your first port of call after a day and a half at sea is in the Côn Đảo Islands, located about 60 miles off the southern coast of Vietnam. Once known primarily as home to the "Tiger Cells," one of the most brutal prisons in history, it is now visited for its picturesque fishing villages overlooking a sparkling sea. You may choose to focus on the island's history on a tour that includes a historical museum, the prison, and a visit to the local market, or you may explore the islands' natural beauty on a hike in the highlands.
A morning of cruising brings you to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), where your ship will dock for two nights, making it possible to experience a variety of aspects of this fascinating city. Focus on the city's history, both ancient and modern, in visits to the History Museum, the War Museum, the Củ Chi Tunnels, and the Reunification Palace. Experience the city's cultural diversity in visits to temples, in a trip to Chinatown's open-air market, or in an evening performance of Vietnamese dance and song. Or enjoy sampling the regional cuisine—on a cruise of the Mekong Delta followed by lunch in a colonial villa, or in a cooking class in the Ho Chi Minh Agricultural Villages.
A day of cruising along the Saigon River and then along Vietnam's southern coast brings you to Nha Trang, one of the country's most popular resorts, with beautiful long beaches backed by palm trees and promenades. It is also a center of craftsmanship, where you can see rice paper being made and spend time in the Troung Son Handicraft village, where artisans demonstrate their skills in rattan weaving, calligraphy, sand painting, and more.
Your next port of call, Da Nang, serves as an introduction to the ancient Cham civilization and to Hội An, an old trading port that blends indigenous and foreign (primarily Chinese) influences. Visit the Cham Museum and the ruins of ancient Hindu temples at My Son; travel to the countryside and experience a day of tending garden, cooking lunch, and mask-making; or visit the UNESCO Heritage Site of Hội An, perhaps enjoying a dinner ashore after sunset, when this fascinating town is lit almost entirely by lanterns.
Chan May, the lovely bay just around the peninsula from Da Nang, is your gateway to the imperial capital of Hue, the seat of power of the Nguyen dynasty that ruled much of Vietnam from the early 19th century until World War II. Exploration of this UNESCO Heritage Site will tour the Royal Citadel, similar in plan to the Forbidden City in Beijing, and the magnificent tombs of the emperors on the outskirts of the city. You may also visit either the seven-tiered tower of the Heavenly Lady Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River or the garden house and temple built to honor Princess Ngọc Sơn.
After a day at sea, arrive in the World Heritage site of Hạ Long Bay, a series of rocky pitons emerging from the sea, surrounded by mountains with mysterious caverns. From here, you may choose to travel to Vietnam's bustling capital of Hanoi, where a guided tour includes visits to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Hoa Lo Prison ("Hanoi Hilton"), the Ngọc Sơn Pagoda, and the Old Quarter. You may choose a day of tranquility at Yen Tu Mountain, site of a Buddhist monastery where you can practice Tai Chi, enjoy a vegetarian lunch, and join a meditation class with a monk. Or, you may decide to explore Ha Long Bay itself on a cruise aboard a local boat.
Your final port of call is the amazingly vibrant city of Hong Kong, where excursions introduce you to the food markets of the city or to places you can purchase birds' nests, ginseng, and other herbal medicines. Or you may opt for a panoramic coach tour that includes views over the city from Victoria Peak.
Ref : SH2345US - EX080226
Your itinerary
A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call. Engaging discussions...
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Your trip in detail
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Choose your stateroom
Complete your trip
Complete your trip
Included in your cruise
To make sure things run smoothly, PONANT has included certain elements before and after your cruise as part of the price.
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*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
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Services provided
- 24-hour room service
- Inclusive Wifi internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Selection of Clarins top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Two ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Hat/cap
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Smithsonian Journeys
Smithsonian Journeys is the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education and research complex, consisting of 21 museums, the National Zoological Park, education centers, research facilities, cultural centers, and libraries. Drawing on Smithsonian's resources dating back 175 years, these sailings will feature notable experts and experiences that embrace local cultures and dive deeper into a destination’s history, cuisine, language, environment, and wildlife. For more than 50 years, Smithsonian Journeys has been rooted in and focused on cultural immersion and discovery – with a goal of inspiring guests to become global citizens through travel.
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Highlights
- A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call.
- Engaging discussions onboard with two Smithsonian Journeys Experts.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: The Ancient City of Hội An, the My Son temples, the Imperial City of Hue, and Hạ Long Bay
- Opportunities to experience local cuisine in each port of call.
- A performance of Vietnamese dance and song in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Handicraft markets in Nha Trang and Da Nang.
- Echoes of the American war in Củ Chi, Hue, and Hanoi.
Ports of Call & Excursions
8 February 2026 - Singapore
Embarkation 8/2/2026 From 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 8/2/2026 at 6:00 pm
Nicknamed the Garden City, Singapore stretches across Malaysia's southern-most region. Experience the vibrant hustle and bustle of this city-state for yourself at the Marina Bay. No too far away is the historic centre, offering up a unique smorgasbord of neoclassical buildings and contemporary towers. Decked out in topiary, the pavements of Orchard Road are also home to countless shopping centres. The colourful markets in Chinatown and Little India are the perfect opportunity to quell hunger pangs in a hawker centre, one of the city's traditional snack bars. Between the two districts, get a slice of history with a trip to the Raffles dock. It was here that Englishman Sir Raffles, the founder of the city, is said to have arrived one fateful day in January 1819.
9 February 2026 - At sea
Arrival 9/2/2026
Departure 9/2/2026
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
10 February 2026 - Côn Dao Islands
Arrival 10/2/2026 midday
Departure 10/2/2026 early evening
To the south of Vietnam, the archipelago of the Côn Dao Islands,located in the South China Sea, is composed of sixteen rocks covered in lush vegetation. A regular stopover on the Maritime Silk Road connecting China to Europe between the 2nd and 13th centuries, the islands were mentioned by Marco Polo during his voyage from China to India in 1294. A former English and French trading post, the archipelago became a French colony in 1861 using the name Poulo Condor. A penitentiary centre was built there and used to imprison opponents of the colonial regime. During the Vietnam War, the Saigon regime and the United States locked up communist enemies there until 1975. In its idyllic natural setting, Con Dao has become a memorial site and a symbol of the fight for independence.
11 February 2026 12 February 2026 - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Arrival 11/2/2026 early afternoon
Departure 12/2/2026
Located near the Mekong delta, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam. It is both the historic heart and economic hub. Formerly Saigon, the city is an imposing avant-guard metropolis. You can admire its famous central post office and its emblematic Reunification Palace. From 95 years of French presence, the city has kept some remarkable monuments, like the Cathédrale Notre-Dame with its neo-Gothic façade built in 19th century red brick. You’ll succumb to the magic of this hectic city, where everything is about contrast, like the very brightly-coloured district of Cholon, Saigon’s “Chinatown”.
13 February 2026 - Sailing Saigon River
Arrival 13/2/2026
Departure 13/2/2026
The Saigon River originates in Phum Daung in the south-east of Cambodia and runs through Saigon before flowing into the South China Sea further south, to the north-east of the Mekong Delta. Along its shores, you will see traditional stilt houses, dwellings from the colonial period, Buddhist temples, and daring skyscrapers. This architectural eclecticism will afford you a glimpse of new and ancient Vietnamese traditions. On this cruise, you will also be able to admire the lush, tropical natural environment along this mythical river that is more than 170 kilometres (105 miles) long.
14 February 2026 - Nha Trang
Arrival 14/2/2026 early morning
Departure 14/2/2026 late afternoon
Nha Trang, the capital of the Khanh Hoa province in Vietnam, is a coastal city with 300,000 inhabitants. Famous for its long, 7-km white sand beach along which runs Tran Phu Street, the city’s main thoroughfare, Nha Trang is a member of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club, an international association that includes 41 bays. The bay is the reason the city is sometimes called the “Riviera of the South China Sea”. You will have the opportunity to discover the city during a rather original experience: a tour in a rickshaw.
15 February 2026 - At sea
Arrival 15/2/2026
Departure 15/2/2026
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
16 February 2026 - Da Nang
Arrival 16/2/2026 early morning
Departure 16/2/2026 late afternoon
Mid-way between Ho Chi Minh City to the south and Hanoi to the north, Da Nang enjoys an ideal location in Vietnam. The old colonial town has skilfully navigated the transition to economic growth, becoming a wealthy tourist destination. With its five Marble Mountains, its 72-metre high Buddha and white sand beach, Da Nang will create some magical memories, made sublime by a secular culinary tradition that has nothing left to prove. It is also the gateway to the country’s treasures, including the cities of Hoi-An and Hue, which are both UNESCO World Heritage sites.
17 February 2026 - Chan May
Arrival 17/2/2026
Departure 17/2/2026 late evening
To the south-east of Thua Thuen-Hue province, Chan May harbour was developed around its industrial activity, but has since opened up to cruise tourism. This harbour enjoys an exceptional location on the Vietnamese coast, not far from Chan May, the doorway into the imperial city of Hue, the ancient capital of the country and listed by UNESCO as World Heritage site. Its royal citadel dating from the 19th century, inspired by the Forbidden city of Beijing, is a gem of architecture and history.
18 February 2026 - At sea
Arrival 18/2/2026
Departure 18/2/2026
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
19 February 2026 - Ha Long
Arrival 19/2/2026 early morning
Departure 19/2/2026 late afternoon
Shielded by majestic karstic peaks, Halong reveals itself through a string of spectacular landscapes. Known the world over for its bay, listed with UNESCO, this city in northern Vietnam is lesser known for its heritage. That is a shame, as the authenticity and cultural richness of Halong is surprising. Boasting a unique mix of modern architecture and heritage from the dynasty of the Hung kings, the tourism capital of the Quang Ninh province promises unexpected moments in its bustling streets and breathtaking panoramas of one of the most beautiful bays in the world.
20 February 2026 - At sea
Arrival 20/2/2026
Departure 20/2/2026
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
21 February 2026 22 February 2026 - Hong Kong
Arrival 21/2/2026 midday
Disembarkation 22/2/2026 at 7:00 am
Hong Kong, known as the “Fragrant harbour”, bordered by the South China Sea, is a heady place attracting tourists from the world over. This former British colony today combines ultramodern shopping malls and authentic markets like the Ladie’s Market or the night market on Temple Street. At first sight, you’ll be overwhelmed by the city’s architecture which, because of lack of ground space, reaches skywards, with its 1,250 skyscrapers and other towers. Believing is seeing, so if you go up to Victoria Peak, the highest point on the island, you’ll see a dizzying and unforgettable view of the bay.
Le Jacques Cartier
In keeping with the philosophy of PONANT and the PONANT EXPLORERS, Le Jacques-Cartier is a modern ship with slender, tapered lines, it is environmentally friendly and equipped with innovative technology.
Tastefully decorated, Le Jacques-Cartier reflects the universe so dear to PONANT, with its light tones and open-to-the-sea design providing soft light and luminosity at every instant of the day. Its ethnic chic ambiance pays homage to the destinations we visit.
Located below the waterline, the Blue Eye offers a unique experience: the opportunity to enjoy undersea views and the sounds of the marine world whilst sharing a glass together.
Decks
Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included
PONANT has organized the following included program for you, which starts the day of embarkation.
Included Features:
- A program of onboard enrichment provided by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts
- Transfers and luggage handling from the airport in Singapore to the ship on the day of embarkation
- Comprehensive 14-night cruise aboard the deluxe Le Jacques Cartier, with all the amenities for which PONANT ships are famous
- One included shore excursion in each port of call (see “Itinerary” for more information and choice of excursions, if applicable)
- Gratuities for ship crew and for guides and drivers on excursions
- Transfer from the ship to the airport in Hong Kong at the end of the cruise on the day of disembarkation
Not included:
- Independent meals and beverages ashore
- Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, etc.)
Notes:
- This voyage is offered on a space available basis
Program is subject to change without notice
Special Guest Speaker
On our departures in alliance with Smithsonian Journeys, we are joined by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts who will provide an insightful English-language lecture series that enhances your experience with valuable context and new perspectives. From enriching talks to casual conversations on board, their in-depth knowledge will bring you deeper into the history, culture, and natural world of your destination.