On the Adora Magic City, I lost my soul among Vietnam's stunning peaks and everyday life’s warmth
At five in the morning, I was gently awakened by the soothing waves while lying on the balcony chair. Opening my eyes, the karst peaks of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, like fairy mountains on the sea, were slowly drifting into my floor-to-ceiling window.
Six days ago, I was a bit reluctant to take a cruise. But when I stepped onto the deck of China’s first domestically built large cruise ship—the Adora Magic City, everything I thought I knew was completely overturned. This massive sea giant, 323.6 meters long with 2,125 cabins, is a fantastical Eastern wonderland. In the 270-degree panoramic dining bar, I savored exquisite fusion dishes blending East and West while gazing at the seamless horizon of sea and sky. At night, Broadway-level shows and the dazzling themed stage play "Adora Shan Hai Jing" take turns performing, where Eastern and Western cultures collide and blend. My favorite spot is still the infinity deck at the stern. Just feeling the sea breeze and doing nothing is the perfect way to drift at sea.
After a day and night of sailing, the cruise slowly entered this bay listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The title "Guilin on the Sea" is well deserved. Transferring to a shuttle boat weaving through the waters, sunlight sparkled on the surface, casting enchanting glimmers. Navigating the maze-like islands and forests, you marvel at nature’s craftsmanship—the fighting cock rock is lifelike, and inside the caves, magnificent stalactite wonders await. For the brave, you can even hop into a kayak to get up close to those million-year-old cliffs and experience the serene isolation on the crystal-clear sea.
After bidding farewell to the peaks, our next stop was docking at Hue (Chan May Port). Stepping into the ancient town of Hoi An, time seemed to rewind to the 15th century. This former Eastern trading port has now shed its hustle and bustle, filled with leisure. Wearing a flowing Ao Dai and carrying a lotus lantern bought from the street, I strolled through alleys hung with colorful lanterns. Sitting down at a corner café, ordering an authentic drip coffee, and watching the ancient street’s slow shadows under the sun, I was completely captivated by the French charm.
At the end of the journey, the cruise docked at Nha Trang (Cam Ranh Port). To truly see Nha Trang’s soul, you must explore the Po Nagar Cham Towers. This millennium-old site dedicated to the goddess Yan Po Nagar is the most precious architectural treasure left by the ancient Champa Kingdom. At dusk, I shed my finery, changed into beach shorts, and dove into the street food stalls of Nha Trang. Ordering freshly caught lobster and crab, watching the owner grill them over charcoal on the spot, and opening a bottle of ice-cold Saigon beer—accompanied by the slightly salty sea breeze—this bite was the most vibrant and fiery taste of the Vietnamese coastline.
On this wonderful journey, we completely healed our mental fatigue among the peaks and everyday life’s warmth. If you want to recreate this experience, why not take a spontaneous trip on the Adora Magic City? This 6-day, 5-night Vietnam cruise departs from Shenzhen, hassle-free, with prices ranging from 4,000 to 8,000 RMB per person, offering excellent value.
✨ Practical TIPS:
· Visa: Vietnam offers visa-on-arrival for Chinese citizens. With a passport valid for more than 6 months and two 2-inch white background photos, you can conveniently apply when the cruise docks.
· Dress code: The cruise hosts a formal captain’s dinner; men are advised to bring a suit or shirt, and women an elegant dress. For shore excursions, light summer clothing is recommended, and modest attire is required when visiting religious sites like the Imperial City of Hue.
· Food: The cruise has 5 free restaurants, offering everything from royal banquets to late-night congee and noodles. Onshore, be sure to try Hue beef noodle soup, Hoi An cao lau noodles, and Nha Trang seafood barbecue, paired with a cup of Vietnamese drip coffee.
· Best season: November to April is Vietnam’s dry season, with temperatures between 22-28°C and calm seas, ideal for cruising.