Embark on a 16-day cruise through Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. Start in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s most dynamic metropolis, then board Emerald Harmony for an 8-day Mekong River cruise through the fertile Mekong Delta and rural southern Cambodia. Observe daily life along the riverbanks, then explore Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, known for its colonial architecture and Khmer history. Continue to Siem Reap for three nights, visiting the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park, including Angkor Wat. Next, fly to Luang Prabang, Laos, for a three-night stay in this cultural and spiritual hub once known as the royal capital. End your journey in Bangkok, Thailand’s fast-paced capital.
Highlights
Explore Ho Chi Minh City’s French architecture and vibrant streets
Experience local life in Ben Tre’s farms and floating communities
Visit Sa Dec’s markets and the home of L’Amant’s literary icon
Tour My An Hung’s chili farms and enjoy traditional folk singing
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 chào and welcome to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, an Emerald Cruises representative will greet you and escort you to your centrally located hotel in District 1 for a two-night stay. After check-in, enjoy free time to explore the city at your leisure before meeting your tour director in the evening for a welcome briefing and dinner at a local restaurant.
Travel north of Ho Chi Minh City to the historic Cu Chi Tunnels, observing as the urban skyline gives way to rice paddies, rural villages and landscapes characteristic of southern Vietnam. Explore the extensive tunnel complex on foot with a local guide, learning about its significance during wartime. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for a traditional pho (noodle soup) lunch, with the remainder of your afternoon and evening at leisure—or choose to participate in one of the optional DiscoverMORE excursions.
Included Excursion
Cu Chi Tunnels
DiscoverMORE
An evening Saigon Street Food walking tour (extra expense)
After checkout, enjoy a guided city tour, visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera House and Town Hall. Then, visit the Reunification Palace before transferring to the port where you board your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, Emerald Harmony. Be welcomed on board by your captain and crew before setting sail down the Saigon River to Cho Gao canal where you anchor for the night. This evening, enjoy your first dinner on board with your fellow travelers. Your Cruise Director will conduct a port talk to review the activities and itinerary for the days ahead.
Included Excursion
An orientation tour of Ho Chi Minh City
This morning, sail through the bustling Cho Gao, one of the major arterial canals of Vietnam connecting Tien Giang Province in the Mekong Delta with Ho Chi Minh City. Today makes a fascinating morning watching the heavy commercial traffic navigate this important waterway, which can see upwards of 1,800 vessels transit each day. This afternoon, once on the Mekong River, visit Tan My Floating community, followed by a ride through the local plantations to visit a mushroom farm, a fruit farm with sampling and a honey farm with local sweets. Then, return to Emerald Harmony to sail onwards to Sa Ðéc, a hidden gem on the Mekong Delta.
Included Excursion
Visit Thoi Binh hamlet and its farming and fishing communities, untouched by tourism
After a short sampan ride to Sa Ðéc, enjoy a walking tour around town with a stop at the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, who inspired Marguerite Duras’ celebrated novel, L’Amant, and a walk through the town’s 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 Mekong Delta village specializes in cultivating red-hot chili and peppers. As part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy some local folk singing during your visit.
EmeraldPLUS
Listen to some local folk singing in My An Hung
Included Excursion
A visit to My An Hung village and its Monkey Bridge
Known as ‘Mango Island,’ Cu Lao Gieng is a small, scenic island untouched by tourism, located along the upper Mekong River. Travel by local motorcycle rickshaw through the island’s villages to visit families who work in a variety of local industries including Mango farming, different types of boat building and a factory making incense sticks for temples.
The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure on board, or alternatively, partake in a DiscoverMORE excursion to the Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary in An Long. As part of the EmeraldPLUS experience, be delighted in a traditional Lion Dance performance on board.
EmeraldPLUS
A Lion Dance performance on board
Included Excursion
See the local industries in Gieng Island
DiscoverMORE
A visit to Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary in Tram Chim National Park (extra expense)
Day 7: Tan Chau | Vietnam-Cambodia Border Crossing
Embark on a sampan ride to Evergreen Island for a walk through a local village, giving you a glimpse into the lives of the local farming community. Reboard your sampan and return to Tan Chau and as part of the EmeraldPLUS experience, visit the local Cao Dai Temple. Cao Dai is a syncretic, monotheistic religion established in Tây Ninh, southern Vietnam, in 1926. At the temple, learn more about this fascinating and complex religion. Afterwards, ride in a Xe Loi (local form of cyclo) back to your sampan before returning to Emerald Harmony. Back on board your Star-Ship, sail to the border between Vietnam and Cambodia.
EmeraldPLUS
A visit to a local Cao Dai Temple and Xe Loi ride, unique to the Mekong Delta
This morning, wake up in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Known as the ‘Pearl of Asia,’ the city was almost entirely evacuated by the Khmer Rouge in 1975. Today, learn about the Khmer Rouge and the darkest days of Cambodia’s history. A short drive will take you to the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek, where you can have the opportunity to stroll through the fields, visit the memorial and understand more about this country’s sombre chapter.
Afterwards, visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as ‘S-21’), a former school converted to the Khmer Rouge’s main prison and torture HQ. Spend the afternoon as you please, either exploring the DiscoverMORE excursions, visiting the Central Market located in the heart of Phnom Penh, or simply relaxing on board Emerald Harmony.
This evening, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy a remork (local Tuk-Tuk) tour through Phnom Penh to admire the city lights.
EmeraldPLUS
Phnom Penh by night on a remork (Tuk-Tuk) tour
Included Excursion
Killing Fields at Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
DiscoverMORE
A silk farm tour at Koh Oknha Tei (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE
Craft Beer Adventure by remork (extra expense)
Located north of Phnom Penh, Oudong was the former royal capital of Cambodia until it relocated to Phnom Penh in 1866. Start your day with a visit to the Oudong Monastery and Temples. Important remnants here include the burial sites of Khmer kings as well as religious artifacts dating back more than a century. In Oudong Monastery’s main temple, receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the resident monks, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience. In the afternoon, visit the majestic Royal Palace, with its French-inspired gardens and Silver Pagoda. Back on board, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organization. Afterwards, make the short sail to Prek K’Dam, gliding past Phnom Penh illuminated at night.
EmeraldPLUS
A traditional Buddhist Monk blessing
EmeraldPLUS
Cultural Performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organization
Disembark Emerald Harmony in the morning and continue by road to Siem Reap for your included three-night stay. Your hotel is a deluxe boutique property of world-class design that takes great care in honoring the environment and paying homage to the traditional and local aesthetics. This evening as part of your EmeraldPLUS program, attend Phare, The Cambodian Circus, where a combination of acrobatics, music and dance tell a uniquely Cambodian story. Take advantage of the DiscoverMORE dinner at the circus to further support Phare’s work.
EmeraldPLUS
Phare Cambodian Circus performance
DiscoverMORE
Evening – Local Fare at Phare Circus (extra expense)
Today, start with a visit to Angkor Thom, not a single temple such as the historic sites it neighbors, but rather one of the most remarkable royal cities of the Angkor Period and an architectural wonder. As the last capital of the Khmer Empire, it was a fortified city, home to priests, officials of the palace, military and buildings for administering the kingdom. Afterwards, visit the sacred Temple of Ta Prohm. In an incredible standoff between human creation and nature, the jungle's root systems have reclaimed this spiritual location now enshrouded in wild vegetation. The backdrop to many Hollywood scenes, the incredible Ta Prohm is both a cinematic and contemplative location. This evening is free to visit ‘Pub Street’ or try a DiscoverMORE option.
Included Excursion
Visit to Angkor Thom
Included Excursion
Visit to Ta Prohm Temple
DiscoverMORE
Evening – Sunset Drinks Gondola Boat at Bayon (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE
Evening - Cambodian Street Food Discovery Tour (extra expense)
Witness a mesmerizing sunrise over Angkor Wat. Afterwards, walk through this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, renowned for its intricate carvings. This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure to explore the town, or join a DiscoverMORE excursion. Later, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy an immersive evening and farewell dinner at Satcha Handicraft Center, accompanied by an Apsara dance performance.
EmeraldPLUS
Apsara dance performance and dinner show
Included Excursion
Sunrise visit to Angkor Wat
DiscoverMORE
Siem Reap Countryside by Vespa (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE
Banteay Srei Temple and APOPO (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE
Tonlé Sap (extra expense, July to February)
After breakfast, transfer to the Siem Reap Airport to catch your onward flight to Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos. Enjoy a three-night Special Stay. Later walk to the top of Luang Prabang’s highest mountain, Mount Phousi and watch the sunset over this historical town.
Today, visit the city’s main sites including Wat Xieng Thong, one of the most important and oldest temples in Laos, Wat Mai, the city’s largest temple and the former Royal Palace, now converted into the National Museum. Later, enjoy a 2-hour cruise along the Mekong River to explore the Pak Ou Caves (locally called Tam Ting) flooded with thousands of gold Buddha statue buried within a limestone cliff. This well-known attraction is a must-see in Laos. When returning by road, stop at a village to partake in a local game with the villagers. Tonight is yours at leisure leaving you with free time to shop in the well-known night market for those gifts to take back home.
A truly beautiful and empowering moment awaits upon the streets of Luang Prabang. Rise early to attend the morning ritual and admire the silent movements of the local monks as they collect their daily alms. Afterwards return to the hotel for breakfast before heading out for the day. Travel to Kuang Si waterfalls, a set of picturesque, tiered waterfalls and swimming holes set amongst the dense jungle and enjoy lunch before returning to Luang Prabang.
Later this afternoon as part of your EmeraldPLUS program immerse yourself in local spirituality during a traditional Baci ceremony and pay respects to ancient traditions of Laos. The Baci is performed in celebration of an important event such as weddings, births, or for welcoming guests and is a means of expressing good will and good luck to others. The Lao believe that each person has 32 spirits which constitute their spiritual essence and the Baci is the ritual used to call back any escaped spirits into the body. During the Baci, special flower trays and food treats are prepared which you then touch while a Buddhist mantra is chanted. After the chanting is completed, cotton threads are tied around your wrist whilst you receive an individual blessing.
This evening enjoy your delicious farewell dinner and relive the memories together from your journey.
EmeraldPLUS
Baci Ceremony
Day 16: Luang Prabang
1 Breakfast
Bid farewell to Laos and join your included flight to Bangkok, Thailand, where your journey ends on arrival.
Please book your flight to depart out of Bangkok after 07:00 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.
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.
$11,8502-3 travelers
Rates are subject to change without notice. Book early to get the best rate.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
