Embark on a 15-day cruise aboard Emerald Harmony. Begin your journey in Ho Chi Minh City, a dynamic urban center in southern Vietnam. Navigate the Mekong River to explore traditional villages, including My An Hung, and experience local life in Ben Tre and Gieng Island. Visit the unique Cao Dai Temple in Tan Chau and observe regional customs and spiritual practices. Cross into Cambodia to discover Phnom Penh, the nation’s capital, where historical and cultural landmarks highlight the country’s complex past. Conclude your voyage in Siem Reap with guided visits to the renowned Angkor Wat. From vibrant cityscapes to remote riverside communities and ancient temple complexes, this itinerary provides a comprehensive glimpse into the cultural heritage and everyday life of the Mekong Delta.
Highlights
Explore Cu Chi Tunnels beyond Ho Chi Minh amid rice paddies and villages
Tour Sa Dec’s markets and historic home of L’Amant’s Huynh Thuy Le
Visit My An Hung village and walk its iconic Monkey Bridge by foot
Discover Gieng Island industries from incense to boat-building craft
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. Upon arrival, be greeted by your Emerald Cruises representative and transferred to your centrally located hotel in District 1 for a two-night stay. After check-in, enjoy time at leisure to explore the city before meeting your tour director for a welcome briefing and dinner at a local restaurant.
Travel north of Ho Chi Minh City to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, observing the city skyline give way to rice paddies, villages, and everyday rural life in southern Vietnam. Spend time with a local guide touring this historic underground network. Upon returning to the city, enjoy a traditional Vietnamese Pho lunch. The remainder of your afternoon and evening is at leisure, or you may choose to join an optional DiscoverMORE excursion.
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
The Cho Gao canal is one of Vietnam’s major arterial canals, connecting Tien Giang Province in the Mekong Delta with Ho Chi Minh City. You can find it fascinating to watch the heavy commercial traffic navigate this important waterway, which sees upwards of 1,800 vessels transit each day. During your morning of relaxation on board, soak up the ever-changing passing scenery, enjoy a refreshing dip in the infinity pool, or indulge in a spa treatment (at additional cost). This afternoon, you can visit the Tan My Floating community followed by a ride through the local ‘Delta plantations’, visiting a mushroom farm, a fruit farm with sampling and a honey farm with local sweets before returning to Emerald Harmony to sail onwards to Sa Ðéc, a hidden gem on the Mekong Delta.
Included Excursion
Visit the Thoi Binh hamlet and its farming and fishing communities, untouched by tourism
After a short ride on a sampan to Sa Dec enjoy a walking tour around town with a stop at 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. As part of the EmeraldPLUS program, enjoy some local folk singing during the visit.
EmeraldPLUS
Listen to some local folk singing in My An Hung
Included Excursion
A visit to the bustling Sa Dec Markets and the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le
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 various local industries, including mango farming, boat construction and production of temple incense sticks. This afternoon sail to An Long.
Included Excursion
See the local industries in Gieng Island
Today 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 in An Long. As part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, you can enjoy 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)
Day 8: Tan Chau | Vietnam-Cambodia Border Crossing
In Tan Chau, embark on a sampan ride to Evergreen Island for a walk through a local village, affording a glimpse into the ‘Delta farming community'. Reboard your sampan returning to Tan Chau and as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, visit a 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 reboarding Emerald Harmony. Then, cruise to the border between Vietnam and Cambodia.
Today, wake up in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Known as the ‘Pearl of Asia,’ this city was almost entirely evacuated by the Khmer Rouge in 1975. This morning, learn about the Khmer Rouge and the darkest days of Cambodia’s history. A short drive takes you to the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek, where you can walk through the fields and visit the memorial, understanding more about the country’s sombre chapter.
Afterwards, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (infamously known as ‘S-21’), a former school converted to the Khmer Rouge’s main prison and torture HQ. Spend the afternoon at leisure, exploring the DiscoverMORE excursions, visiting the vibrant Central Market, or relaxing on board.
Later, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, you can enjoy an evening remork (local Tuk-Tuk) ride through Phnom Penh, admiring 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)
DiscoverMORE
Samai Rum Distillery visit (extra expense)
In the morning, visit the majestic Royal Palace with its gardens and Silver Pagoda. Once back on board, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, you can enjoy a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organization. After lunch, set sail from Phnom Penh and enjoy an afternoon of relaxed sailing as you cruise further up the Mekong River to Angkor Ban.
EmeraldPLUS
Cultural Performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organization
In Angkor Ban, explore its historical rural wooden houses which survived the Khmer Rouge and visit a classroom that teaches English to the local students, after their regular school lessons. In the village temple learn how to pray in a Buddhist pagoda and you can receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the temple’s resident monks as part of your EmeraldPLUS excursion. Afterwards set sail to your final destination, Peam Chi Korng located further upstream on the Mekong River.
EmeraldPLUS
A traditional Buddhist Monk blessing
Included Excursion
Walk around the historical village of Angkor Ban
Disembark Emerald Harmony in the morning and continue by road to Siem Reap for your included three-night stay. Stay at the beautiful Shinta Mani, 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 this morning, transfer to the Siem Reap 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.
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).
