Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong - Ho

(regional and premium class flights may be available on request)

Xin Chao and welcome to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, you will be met by your Emerald Cruises representative and transferred to your hotel for your included two-night stay.

Formerly known as Saigon, this is a city with a turbulent and colourful past. Today, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s commercial centre with over eight million inhabitants and four million motorbikes. (D)

Drive away from Ho Chi Minh City, watching the city skyline fade into the distance as the road winds through rice paddies, villages and other scenes typical to southern Vietnam. Spend a couple of hours walking around Cu Chi’s rugged grounds with a local guide. Hear how the residents constructed an intricate underground network of tunnels during the French and American wars. Hear incredible tales about the unusual foods the residents ate to survive and much more. Once above ground, see other ingenious items used by the residents to defend themselves such as bamboo traps and camouflaged pits.

Upon your return to Ho Chi Minh City, the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. (B)

Included Excursion - A tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels 

After checkout, enjoy a tour of the city, visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera House and Town Hall. Then, visit the Reunification Palace before transferring to the port, where you will board your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, Emerald Harmony. You’ll be welcomed on board by your captain and crew before setting sail towards My Tho in the Mekong Delta. This evening, enjoy your first dinner on board with your fellow travellers. Your Cruise Director will conduct a port talk to review the activities and itinerary for the days ahead. (B,L,D)

Included Excursion - An orientation tour of Ho Chi Minh City 

This morning you will be taken to the village of Ðat Dua, where you will learn how coconut candy and other local sweets are made, along with a fruit workshop. Then travel to the Tan Long Pagoda before returning to Emerald Harmony to sail onwards to Sa Dec, a hidden gem on the Mekong Delta. (B,L,D)

Included Excursion - A visit to a workshop in Ðat Dua and a visit to Tan Long Pagoda 

Visit Sa Dec on a walking tour, with stops at the Chinese Congregational House in Kien An Cung, the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, who inspired Marguerite Duras’ novel L’Amant, and enjoy a walk through the central market to peruse its varied produce. Return to Emerald Harmony by sampan and sail to My An Hung Island. Recognised as a cultural and historical destination, this small village in rural Vietnam specialises in red-hot chilli and peppers. Enjoy some local folk singing during the visit. (B,L,D)

EmeraldPlus - A visit to My Ang Hung village

Included Excursion - A visit to the Chinese Congregational House and the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le

The morning is yours to enjoy your free time on board or, if you prefer, partake in a DiscoverMORE optional excursion to the Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary. In the afternoon, embark on a journey to Long Khanh Island, visit a local family to learn about scarf-weaving and visit the Hoa Hao Buddhist Pagoda. Return to Emerald Harmony where, later this evening, you’ll be delighted by a traditional Lion Dance performance on board. (B,L,D)

EmeraldPLUS - A Lion Dance performance on board

Included Excursion - A visit to a local scarf-weaving workshop and Hoa Hao Buddhist Pagoda on Long Khanh Island

In Tan Chau, as part of EmeraldPLUS, visit a unique family-owned Lanh My A silk producing factory. The silk product is created with dyes made from the mac nua fruit, a kind of wood tree, which originally came from Tan Chau silk village about 100 years ago. Here, you will learn more about the long-complicated silk making process and have a chance to touch the real Lanh My A silk. After a Xe Loi ride, embark one of our sampans to Evergreen Island for a walk through a local village to get a glimpse into the lives of the local farming community.

Back on board your luxury Star-Ship, cruise to the border between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Tonight, celebrate crossing the border with a Cambodian-style family dinner. (B,L,D)

Included Excursion - A visit to Evergreen Island

Wake up in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. The city, known as the “Pearl of Asia”, was almost entirely evacuated by the Khmer Rouge in 1975. This morning, you will learn more about the Khmer Rouge and the darkest days of the country’s history. A short drive will take you to the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek. Here you will have the opportunity to walk through the fields, visit the small museum and learn about this sad historic chapter. Afterwards visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S-21). This is a former school that was converted to the main prison and torture headquarters of the Khmer Rouge. In the afternoon, you will visit the majestic Royal Palace with its gardens and the central market located in the heart of the city. In the evening, you will have a chance to experience an evening remork (or Tuk-Tuk) ride through Phnom Penh to enjoy the city lights. (B,L,D)

Included Excursions - A visit to the Killing Fields & Toul Sleng Genocide Museum or A visit to the Royal Palace and central market

Located north of Phnom Penh, Oudong was the former royal capital of Cambodia up until it moved to Phnom Penh in 1866. Important remnants on the temple sight include the burial sites of Khmer kings as well as religious artefacts dating back more than a hundred years. In the main temple of the Oudong Monastery, receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the temple’s resident monks as part of your EmeraldPLUS excursion. The afternoon is yours to continue exploring or to simply relax on board your Star-Ship. This evening, enjoy a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation. (B,L,D)

Included Excursion - A visit to Oudong Monastery

Disembark Emerald Harmony in the morning and continue by road to Siem Reap for your included three-night stay. This evening, attend the Cambodian Circus, Phare and enjoy an evening of acrobatics, music and dance. (B,L)

Today, start with a visit to Angkor Thom. As the last capital of the Khmer Empire, it was a fortified city, home to priests, officials of the palace and military, as well as buildings for administering the kingdom.

Afterwards, visit the sacred Temple of Ta Prohm, still overgrown by jungle trees, it has been the backdrop for many Hollywood movies.

This afternoon and evening is at your leisure. (B,L)

Included Excursion - A visit to Ta Prohm Temple

Rise early and witness the sunrise over Angkor Wat. Afterwards walk through this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site known for its elaborate decorations and intricate carvings throughout.

Later this evening, enjoy your farewell dinner with an Apsara dance performance. (B,D)

Included Excursion - A sunrise visit to Angkor Wat

After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to the airport to catch your onward or homebound flight. (B)