Join Emerald Harmony on this 8-day Majestic Mekong river cruise exploration that will take you to Vietnam and Cambodia. Your journey will start in Ho Chi Minh City, then you will set sail to Sa Dec and enjoy a walking tour around the city through the central market. The next stop will be May An Hungv, where you will learn about its fascinating cultural and historical destination. Of course, don't forget Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital known as the “Pearl of Asia, it is where your journey will end.
Highlights
Take a walking tour around Sa Dec
Explore Cambodia's "Pearl of Asia", Phnom Penh
Discover the historical and cultural destination in My An Hung Island
Visit a scarf-weaving workshop and Hoa Hao Buddhist Pagoda on Long Khan
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Xin Chao and welcome to Ho Chi Minh City. Please arrive by 9.30 am at the Grand Hotel Saigon.
Today, embark on your Emerald Waterways award-winning river cruise Star-Ship and be welcomed by your Captain and crew. After lunch on board, set sail to My Tho in the Mekong Delta, and this evening, enjoy your first dinner on board with your fellow travelers. Your Tour Director will also conduct a port talk to review the activities and itinerary for the days ahead.
Please book your flight to arrive in Ho Chi Minh City prior to 08:30 AM
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. Enjoy a ride through the fruit plantations to Tan Long Pagoda on a Lambro before returning to Emerald Harmony to sail onwards to Sa Dec, a hidden gem on the Mekong Delta.
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. Recognized as a cultural and historical destination, this small village in rural Vietnam specializes in red-hot chili and peppers. Enjoy some local folk singing during the visit.
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. Covering a total area of 7,313 hectares, Tram Chim National Park, located in Tam Nong, is currently one of Vietnam’s eight most important bird sanctuaries. With a system of swamps, grass plots, and natural canals, the park is an ideal habitat for 191 species of plants, 150 species of freshwater fish, and nearly 231 species of water birds. Some of these are listed in Vietnam’s Red Book of rare and threatened species.
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.
EmeraldPLUS
A Lion Dance performance on board
DiscoverMORE
A visit to Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary in Tram Chim National Park (extra expense)
Included Excursion
A visit to a local scarf-weaving workshop and Hoa Hao Buddhist Pagoda on Long Khanh Island
Day 5: Tan Chau, Vietnam | Cambodia Border Crossing
In Tan Chau, as part of EmeraldPLUS, visit the recently renovated Cao Dai temple. The religion of Cao Dai is a syncretic, monotheistic religion established in southern Vietnam in the city of Tây Ninh in 1926. Here, you will learn more about the mix of ideas that form the basis of this fascinating religion. After a Xe Loi ride, embark on 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. Stop at a local fish farm en route back to the ship.
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.
EmeraldPLUS
A visit to Cao Dai temple, a religion unique to the Mekong Delta
Included Excursion
A visit to Evergreen Island and Tan Chau
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. Afterward, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S-21). This is a former school that was converted into the main prison and torture headquarters of the Khmer Rouge. The afternoon is yours to continue exploring, experience one of four DiscoverMORE options or simply relax on board your Star-Ship. 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.
EmeraldPLUS
Phnom Penh by night on a remork (Tuk-Tuk) tour
Included Excursion
A visit to the Killing Fields & Toul Sleng Genocide Museum
DiscoverMORE
A silk farm tour at Koh Oknha Tei (extra expense)
A visit to the silversmith village of Kho Chen (extra expense)
Enjoy a craft beer adventure by remork in Phnom Penh (extra expense)
Savor High Tea and cocktail at Raffles Le Royal (extra expense)
Day 8: Prek K'dam | Phnom Penh | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Disembark Emerald Harmony in the morning after breakfast and transfer to the airport to catch your onward or homebound flight. Please book your departure flight for after 2:00 pm.
Please book your flight to depart out of Phnom Penh after 02:00 PM.
This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$7,4902-3 travelers
Please confirm embark/disembark locations before reserving flights, as this itinerary operates in reverse on alternating departures.
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Emerald Stateroom (D)
Bigger than the average standard staterooms on European rivers, an Emerald Stateroom provides excellent value for money. All Emerald Staterooms feature port-hole windows and the same high-quality facilities as all other cabins.
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Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite (B)
These spectacular suites showcase our revolutionary indoor balcony design. With the touch of a button, the upper part of the suite’s floor-to-ceiling window drops down to unveil uninterrupted views of the stunning scenery. You’ll also find a mini-bar, complimentary Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and infotainment system, a safe for your valuables, and plenty of storage.
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Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite (A)
These spectacular suites showcase our revolutionary indoor balcony design. With the touch of a button, the upper part of the suite’s floor-to-ceiling window drops down to unveil uninterrupted views of the stunning scenery. You’ll also find a mini-bar, complimentary Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and infotainment system, a safe for your valuables, and plenty of storage.
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Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite (AP)
These spectacular suites showcase our revolutionary indoor balcony design. With the touch of a button, the upper part of the suite’s floor-to-ceiling window drops down to unveil uninterrupted views of the stunning scenery. You’ll also find a mini-bar, complimentary Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and infotainment system, a safe for your valuables, and plenty of storage.
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Grand Balcony Suite (S)
At 398ft² (37m²), these beautifully appointed suites host a private balcony with drop-down window, as well as a separate bedroom and lounge area. Enjoy two laundered items per day, as well as canapés and after-dinner sweets in your suite.
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Owner's One-Bedroom Suite
Reaching a colossal 425ft²(42m²) suites,there are just two of these spectacular suites on-board Emerald Harmony, boasting a separate bedroom and lounge area. In addition you'll enjoy a private 323ft² (30m²) terrace with Jacuzzi. You'll also be entitled to four laundered items per day, pre-dinner canapés in your suite, and an invite to dine at the Captain's Table.
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
KC Chan
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.