Embark on a 13-day cruise aboard the Emerald Harmony. Begin your journey in Siem Reap with guided visits to Cambodia’s most iconic archaeological sites, including Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Ta Prohm. Travel onward along the Mekong River, stopping in Phnom Penh for cultural exploration, and visit a traditional Cao Dai temple in Tan Chau to learn about Vietnam’s distinctive religion. Continue through the rural Mekong Delta with immersive village experiences and guided local tours. Conclude with a two-night stay in Ho Chi Minh City, where you can explore key landmarks and enjoy time at leisure. This cruise-tour seamlessly blends heritage landmarks, regional insights, and river exploration through two culturally rich countries—Cambodia and Vietnam—offering a comprehensive overview of Southeast Asia’s past and present.
Highlights
Explore ancient Angkor Thom in Cambodia's magnificent Siem Reap region
Discover cinematic jungle temples at Ta Prohm near Angkor Wat
Visit Kampong Tralach and receive a traditional Buddhist blessing
Tour Vietnam’s rural life on Evergreen Island near Tan Chau
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.
Sous Sdei and welcome to Cambodia. Upon arrival at the airport, be greeted by your Emerald Cruises representative and transferred to your hotel for a three-night stay in Siem Reap. This evening, meet your Cambodian tour director for a briefing on the journey ahead.
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 afternoon is free time to visit the markets or try a 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
DiscoverMORE
Vespa tour of Siem Reap (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE
Evening – Sunset Drinks Gondola Boat at Bayon (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE
Evening - Cambodian Street Food Discovery Tour (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE
Evening – Local Fare at Phare Circus (extra expense)
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 and highlight 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)
Today, leave Siem Reap and venture to the town of Prek K’Dam 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 to Kampong Tralach whilst you enjoy 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 the 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
DiscoverMORE
A silk farm tour at Koh Oknha Tei (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE
Craft Beer Adventure by remork (extra expense)
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
Day 7: Vietnam-Cambodia Border Crossing | Tan Chau
Today, cross the border into Vietnam and sail on to Tan Chau. Relax on board, or join the 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 the 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 the 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
DiscoverMORE
A visit to Tra Su Bird Sanctuary (extra expense)
Known as ‘Mango Island,’ Cu Lao Gieng is a small, scenic island that is 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 chilli 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 and its Monkey Bridge
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, 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, 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 your hotel for your included two-night stay. Tonight join a DiscoverMORE excursion.
Included Excursion
Cu Chi Tunnels
DiscoverMORE
An evening Saigon Street Food walking tour (extra expense)
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
Day 13: Depart Ho Chi Minh City
1 Breakfast
After breakfast this morning, transfer to the Ho Chi Minh City airport to catch your onward or homebound flight.
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.
$10,1502-3 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.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
