Wonders of Cambodia, Vietnam and the Mekong

Sous Sdei and welcome to Cambodia. Upon arriving at the airport, enjoy a seamless greeting and a comfortable transfer directly to your hotel to begin an included three-night stay in beautiful Siem Reap. Later in the evening, gather with your dedicated Cambodian tour director to discover all the exciting details regarding the adventures scheduled for the days ahead.

Today, begin your exploration at Angkor Thom. Unlike the single historic temples neighboring it, this sprawling site stands as an architectural marvel and one of the most remarkable royal cities of the Angkor Period. Serving as the final capital of the Khmer Empire, this heavily fortified city once housed priests, palace officials, and the military within its extensive administrative structures. Afterward, proceed to the sacred Temple of Ta Prohm. Here, witness an awe-inspiring standoff between human creation and nature, where massive jungle root systems have aggressively reclaimed the spiritual grounds, leaving them beautifully enshrouded in wild vegetation. Serving as the dramatic backdrop for numerous Hollywood films, this incredible destination offers both a highly cinematic and deeply contemplative atmosphere. Conclude the day by spending your afternoon at leisure, whether choosing to wander through vibrant local markets or participating in an optional DiscoverMORE tour.

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.

EmeraldPLUS
Phare Cambodian Circus performance.

Included Excursion
Visit to Angkor Thom

Included Excursion
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. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore Siem Reap, or join a DiscoverMORE excursion. Later, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy an immersive evening 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

Today, leave Siem Reap and venture to the town of Rokar Koang to embark your Emerald Cruises award-winning Star-Ship. En route, stop in Kampong Kdei and see the impressive Angkor Bridge, before having lunch at a local restaurant. On arrival, be welcomed by your captain and crew. Later, set sail up the Tonle River, past Phnom Penh at night to Kampong Tralach whilst enjoying your first dinner on board with your fellow guests.

Begin the day with an Ox Cart ride in Kampong Tralach to a local temple before driving to Oudong. Oudong was Cambodia’s former royal capital until it relocated to Phnom Penh in 1866. In Oudong Monastery’s main temple, receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the resident monks, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience.

Return to Emerald Harmony and sail to Phnom Penh. Spend the afternoon at leisure, either experiencing one of DiscoverMORE excursions, visiting the Central Market, or relaxing on board. After dinner, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy Phnom Penh by night on a remork (local Tuk-Tuk) tour.

EmeraldPLUS
A traditional Buddhist Monk blessing

EmeraldPLUS
Phnom Penh by night on a remork (Tuk-Tuk) tour

This morning, learn more 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 stroll through the fields, visit the memorial and understand more about the country’s sombre chapter. Afterwards, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (known as ‘S-21’), a former school converted to the Khmer Rouge’s main prison and torture headquarters. Back on board, savor a Cambodian Street Fair lunch, before visiting the majestic Royal Palace, with its French-inspired gardens. This evening, for your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organization, before sailing for the border.

EmeraldPLUS
Cultural Performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organization

Included Excursion
Killing Fields at Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Included Excursion
A visit to the Royal Palace

Today, cross the border into Vietnam and sail on to Tan Chau. Relax on board, or join DiscoverMORE excursion to Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, before returning for a late lunch on board.

This afternoon, embark on a sampan to Evergreen Island for a stroll through a local village, revealing the lives of the local farming community. Reboard your sampan to travel back to Tan Chau and as part of EmeraldPLUS, program, 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 can learn more about the mix of ideas that form the basis of this fascinating religion. Afterwards ride in a Xe Loi (local form of cyclo) from the temple back to your sampan before returning to Emerald Harmony where, later this evening as part of EmeraldPLUS, program, be delighted by a traditional Lion Dance performance on board.

EmeraldPLUS
A visit to a local Cao Dai Temple and Xe Loi ride

EmeraldPLUS
A Lion Dance performance on board

Included Excursion
A visit to Evergreen Island

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, boat construction and temple incense sticks.

Return to Emerald Harmony by sampan and sail to My An Hung Island. Recognized as a cultural and historical destination, this small rural village specializes in cultivating red-hot chili and peppers. As part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, listen to local folk singing, wander through coconut farms and immerse yourself in traditional village life.

EmeraldPLUS
Listen to some local folk singing in My An Hung

Included Excursion
See the local industries in Gieng Island

Included Excursion
A visit to My An Hung village

Take a short ride on a sampan to Sa Ðéc, a Mekong Delta hidden gem. 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 stroll through Sa Ðéc’s bustling central market. Return to Emerald Harmony by sampan for lunch, while cruising to Cái Bè.

Upon arrival, travel via sampan to Tan Phong, a small island located nearby, rich in alluvial soil suitable for cultivating tropical fruit orchards year-round. At this established ecotourism destination, try a hands-on experience at a workshop specializing in weaving water hyacinth into artistic crafts. Board a motorized buggy for a ride through fruit orchards, stopping to sample tropical fruits. Reboard the sampan and cruise back to Cái Bè, discovering local cottage industries where families produce rice-paper and sweets from pop-corn, pop-rice and coconuts. Return to Emerald Harmony.

Included Excursion
A visit to the bustling Sa Dec Markets and the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le

Included Excursion
An excursion to the local industries of Cai Be

After sailing from My Tho, you leave the Mekong Delta and enter the Cho Gao canal, considered one of Vietnam’s major arterial canals that connects Tien Giang Province with Ho Chi Minh City. Today, be fascinated watching the heavy commercial traffic navigating this important waterway, where upwards of 1,800 vessels transit each day. Relax on board, taking in the ever changing vistas of mangroves, cargo barges and local fishing boats. Tonight, you dock in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, where you can admire the city lights; due to Vietnamese customs regulations, you are not be permitted to venture ashore.

After disembarkation, drive away from Ho Chi Minh City port to Cu Chi Tunnels, watching the city skyline fade into the distance as the road winds through rice paddies, villages and scenes typical to southern Vietnam. Spend a couple of hours walking around Cu Chi’s rugged grounds with a local guide. Upon your return, enjoy a traditional Pho (noodle soup) lunch then check in to the Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers for your included two-night stay. Tonight join a DiscoverMORE excursion.

Included Excursion
Cu Chi Tunnels

Enjoy a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City, starting with a visit to the city’s most iconic building, the Reunification, or Independence Palace. Formerly the South Vietnamese Presidential Palace, images of the building were seen around the world on 30 April 1975 when tanks stormed the gates as Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese. Then, stroll through Ho Chi Minh City’s colonial quarter, walking past scenes of everyday life on the way. Admire the beautiful architecture of the Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral and the old Saigon Post Office and listen to the stories about the glory days of French Indochina and how that era continues to influence aspects of modern Vietnamese culture. Tonight, enjoy your farewell dinner with your fellow guests.

Included Excursion
An orientation tour of Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast this morning, be transferred to the Ho Chi Minh City airport to catch your onward or homebound flight.

While every effort is made to adhere to the planned itinerary, changes in river conditions, ad hoc local government regulations or local festivities may require journey modifications. These will be made based on the advice of local authorities or for safety reasons. Hotels are indicative and are subject to change.​