Embark on an 8-day cruise aboard the Emerald Harmony from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh. Begin your eight-day river cruise in Vietnam’s largest city and journey along the Mekong River through the heart of the Delta. Visit rural communities, explore local industries, and tour historic sites, including traditional pagodas and a Cao Dai temple. Stop at a scarf-weaving workshop, walk through the home that inspired L’Amant, and reflect on Phnom Penh’s Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Museum. Ride a Tuk Tuk through the capital and participate in a Buddhist blessing at Oudong Temple. On board, experience authentic cultural performances, including a traditional Lion Dance on the Sun Deck.
Highlights
Navigate Vietnam’s busy Cho Gao Canal, lined with vibrant trade boats
Visit Tan My floating hamlet and taste fresh fruits and honey sweets
Explore Sa Dec markets and the home that inspired The Lover novel
Discover My An Hung village and its rustic red chilli plantations
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.
Upon arrival, transfer to the Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel in the city's heart. Later, continue to Saigon Port to embark on the Emerald Harmony. The captain and crew will warmly welcome you before setting sail after lunch along the Saigon River toward Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta. Enjoy your first onboard dinner with fellow guests this evening, followed by a port talk led by your Cruise Director.
Please book your flight to Ho Chi Minh City before 08:30 AM.
This morning, cruise through the vibrant Cho Gao Canal—one of Vietnam’s key commercial waterways linking the Mekong Delta’s Tien Giang Province with Ho Chi Minh City. This busy route offers a captivating glimpse into daily river life, with as many as 1,800 vessels navigating its waters daily. In the afternoon, now on the Mekong River, visit the Tan My floating community before venturing by local transport through lush plantations to explore a mushroom farm, a fruit orchard with tastings, and a honey farm offering regional sweets. Return to Emerald Harmony and continue sailing to Sa Ðéc, a lesser-known treasure of 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 chilli 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 EmeraldPLUS experience, be delight in a traditional Lion Dance performance on board.
EmeraldPLUS
A Lion Dance performance on board
Included Excursion
See the local industries in Gieng Island
Day 5: 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 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 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 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
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 artefacts 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 Organisation. 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 Organisation
Included Excursion
A visit to the Royal Palace
Day 8: Prek K'dam | Disembark | Phnom Penh
1 Breakfast
Disembark Emerald Harmony in the morning and transfer to Phnom Penh airport for your onward or homebound flight.
Please book your flight to depart out of Phnom Penh after 11:00 AM.
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.
$8,790
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.
This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
Friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable, timely. They have made us feel very comfortable for our trip!
Gregg Chamberlain
1 month ago
We really enjoyed the guides and itinerary. Everything went very smoothly.
John K
5 months ago
Wonderful personal attention to detail and very helpful suggestions by experienced travel experts
John K
11 months ago
We have used All Adventure Life many times over the years and the team members have been amazing through all the planning processes! Jeff has been our planner for China last year and Vietnam next year, and he is very responsive and overall terrific!
Cindy Gordon
11 months ago
great service so far
Jennifer Szerb
11 months ago
Friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable, timely. They have made us feel very comfortable for our trip!
Gregg Chamberlain
1 month ago
We really enjoyed the guides and itinerary. Everything went very smoothly.
John K
5 months ago
Wonderful personal attention to detail and very helpful suggestions by experienced travel experts
John K
11 months ago
We have used All Adventure Life many times over the years and the team members have been amazing through all the planning processes! Jeff has been our planner for China last year and Vietnam next year, and he is very responsive and overall terrific!
Cindy Gordon
11 months ago
great service so far
Jennifer Szerb
11 months ago
Friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable, timely. They have made us feel very comfortable for our trip!
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