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Upon arrival you will be transferred to the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh. Later you will be transferred to Koh Khsach Krao to embark your Emerald Cruises award-winning Star-Ship. On arrival, you’ll be welcomed by your captain and crew. Later, set sail to Phnom Penh whilst you enjoy your first dinner on board with your fellow guests. Please book your flight to arrive into Phnom Penh prior to 01:00 PM.

Wake up in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. The city, known as the “Pearl of Asia”, was almost entirely evacuated by the Khmer Rouge in 1975. Start your day with a visit to the Oudong Monastery and Temples. Located north of Phnom Penh, Oudong was the former royal capital of Cambodia up until it moved to Phnom Penh in 1866. Important remnants on the temple site include the burial sites of Khmer kings as well as religious artefacts dating back more than a hundred years. In the main temple of the Oudong Monastery, receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the temple’s resident monks as part of your EmeraldPLUS programme. Spend the afternoon as you please exploring our DiscoverMORE excursions or simply relaxing on board Emerald Harmony. After dinner, as part of your EmeraldPLUS programme, enjoy Phnom Penh by night on a remork (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, you will learn more about the Khmer Rouge and the darkest days of the country’s history. A short drive will take you to the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek. Here you will have the opportunity to walk through the fields, visit the memorial and learn about this sad historic chapter. Afterwards visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S-21). This is a former school that was converted to the main prison and torture headquarters of the Khmer Rouge. Back on-board Emerald Harmony, enjoy a Cambodian Street Fair lunch, before visiting the majestic Royal Palace with its French-inspired gardens, followed by a shopping trip at the Central Market located in the heart of the city. This evening, as part of your EmeraldPLUS programme, enjoy a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation, before setting sail to the border. EmeraldPLUS Cultural Performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation Included Excursion Killing Fields at Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Included Excursion A visit to the Royal Palace and Central Market

Cross the border then sail to Tan Chau. Relax on board this morning or join our DiscoverMORE tour of Tràm Chim National Park, home to Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary. This afternoon, embark on a sampan to Evergreen Island for a walk through a local village to get a glimpse into the lives of the local farming community.  Reboard your sampan to travel back to Tan Chau and as part of our EmeraldPLUS, programme, 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 will 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. This evening as part of our EmeraldPLUS, programme, you’ll be delighted by a traditional Lion Dance performance on board. EmeraldPLUS A visit to a local Cao Dai Temple EmeraldPLUS A Lion Dance performance on board Included Excursion A visit to Evergreen Island Included Excursion Experience a Xe Loi ride, unique to the Mekong Delta DiscoverMORE A visit to Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary in Tram Chim National Park (extra expense)

On Gieng Island you can travel through the island’s villages to visit families who work in a variety of local industries including boat building of different types and creating incense sticks for temples. Also visit Vietnam’s oldest church. Return to Emerald Harmony by sampan and sail to My An Hung Island. Recognised as a cultural and historical destination, this small village in rural Vietnam specialises in red-hot chilli and peppers. As part of our EmeraldPLUS excursion enjoy some local folk singing during the visit, wander through coconut farms, meet the locals and learn about life in the village. 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

After a short ride on a sampan to Sa Dec, enjoy a walking tour around town. Stops include 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, after lunch on board, you’ll arrive in Cai Be. Travelling via sampan, visit a coconut candy workshop to learn how coconut candy and other local sweets are made, then visit a local French colonial heritage villa.

After sailing from My Tho leave the Mekong Delta and enter the Cho Gao Canal.  This canal is considered one of Vietnams major arterial canals that connects Tien Giang Province in the Mekong Delta with Ho Chi Minh City. Today is a fascinating day watching the heavy commercial traffic navigate this important waterway which can see upwards of 1,800 vessels transit each day. This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the ever-changing vistas from the pool, to enjoy a treatment in the Wellness Area (additional expense), or to read a book and chat with new friends. Cruise past mangroves, narrow canals, fish farms, busy cargo barges and local fishing boats alike. Tonight, dock in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City with views of the city lights. (Due to customs regulations, you will not be able to go ashore this evening)

After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to 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.