Enchanting Mekong & Siem Reap

Xin Chao and welcome to Vietnam. On arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, you’ll be transferred to downtown District 1 and the historic quarter and check into to the Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers. Later, you’ll transfer to the Saigon Port to board your luxury Emerald Star-Ship, where you’ll be warmly welcomed on board by your captain and crew. After lunch, Emerald Harmony will cruise from the heart of the city down the Saigon River towards Ben Tre, in the Mekong Delta. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner on board with your fellow guests and an informative port talk hosted by your Cruise Director. Please book your flight to arrive into Ho Chi Minh City prior to 08:30 AM.

This morning, you’ll cruise through the bustling Cho Gao Canal, one of the major arterial canals of Vietnam connecting Tien Giang Province in the Mekong Delta with Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll find this a fascinating sight, observing the heavy commercial traffic navigate this important waterway, where 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). Once on the Mekong River, this afternoon you’ll visit the rural Tan My Floating community, followed by a ride through local plantations to visit a mushroom farm, a fruit farm with sampling and a honey farm with local sweets. Later, you’ll cruise onwards to Sa Ðéc, a Mekong Delta hidden gem.  Included Excursion Visit the Thoi Binh hamlet and its authentic farming and fishing communities

This morning is a leisurely cruise to Sa Ðéc. Later this afternoon, take a short ride on a sampan to arrive in Sa Ðéc, a delightful old provincial city in the heart of the Mekong Delta. Enjoy a walking tour around town with a visit to the home of local resident, Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, who inspired Marguerite Duras’ novel L’Amant (‘The Lover,’), and the town’s bustling central market to peruse its varied produce. Afterwards return to Emerald Harmony by sampan to anchor for the night. Included Excursion Visit the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le and the bustling Sa Ðéc markets

After a short sail with breakfast, transfer ashore by sampan to explore the village life on My An Hung Island. Recognised as a cultural and historical destination, this small village in rural Vietnam specialises in red-hot chilli and peppers. For today’s EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy some local folk singing during the visit to this charming riverine community. After returning to Emerald Harmony, enjoy an afternoon cruise to Gieng Island. Included Excursion Visit My An Hung Village  EmeraldPLUS Listen to local folk singing in My An Hung 

Locally known as ‘Mango Island,’ Cu Lao Gieng is a small, picturesque 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, various types of boat construction and a factory that produces temple incense sticks. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure on board as we cruise to Tan Chau. Upon arrival and for today’s EmeraldPLUS experience, delight in a traditional Lion Dance performance on the Sun Deck of Emerald Harmony. Included Excursion Visit local industries in Gieng Island EmeraldPLUS Lion Dance performance on board Emerald Harmony

In Tan Chau, embark on a sampan ride to Evergreen Island for a walk through a local village, affording an insightful glimpse into the ‘Delta farming community. You’ll then reboard your sampan returning to Tan Chau for a visit to a local Cao Dai Temple. Cao Dai is a syncretic, monotheistic religion established in Tây Ninh, Southern Vietnam, in 1926. At the temple, you can learn more about the hybrid of philosophies that form the basis of this fascinating and complex religion. Afterwards, take a ride in a Xe Loi, a local form of Cyclo unique to the Mekong Delta, back to your sampan and return to Emerald Harmony. Back on board your Emerald Star-Ship, you’ll cruise towards the border between Vietnam and Cambodia. Included Excursion Visit to Evergreen Island, a Cao Dai Temple visit and Xe Loi ride

Welcome to Cambodia. Today, you’ll awake in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Known as the ‘Pearl of Asia’ during the French Indochina-era, this city was almost entirely evacuated by the Khmer Rouge regime 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 stroll 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 headquarters. Spend the afternoon as you please, either joining one of our Emerald DiscoverMORE excursions, visiting the Central Market located at in the heart of Phnom Penh, or simply relaxing on board Emerald Harmony. This evening, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, you’ll enjoy an evening remork (local Tuk-Tuk) excursion through Phnom Penh, admiring the glittering city lights. Included Excursion Killing Fields at Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum 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) DiscoverMORE Samai Distillery (extra expense)

In the morning visit the majestic Royal Palace, captivating with its French-inspired gardens and Silver Pagoda. Once back on board, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, you’ll enjoy a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation. After lunch set sail from Phnom Penh and enjoy an afternoon of relaxed cruising as you continue further up the Mekong River to Angkor Ban. Included Excursion Visit to the Royal Palace EmeraldPLUS Cultural Performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation

In Angkor Ban, explore its historical rural wooden houses which survived the Khmer Rouge. In the village temple, partake in an alm’s ceremony, learn how to pray in a Buddhist pagoda and receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the temple’s resident monks from as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience. Afterwards set sail to your final destination, Peam Chi Korng located further upstream on the Mekong River. Included Excursion Walk around the historical village of Angkor Ban EmeraldPLUS A traditional Buddhist Monk blessing

Disembark Emerald Harmony in the morning, then continue your journey by road to Siem Reap for your included three-night stay. Upon arrival in this lively northern city, check into your beautiful hotel, a deluxe boutique property of world-class design, which takes great care in honouring the environment and paying homage to the traditional and local aesthetics. This evening, for your EmeraldPLUS experience, you’re invited to Phare, The Cambodian Circus, where a combination of acrobatics, music and dance tell a uniquely Cambodian story. Enjoy a special Emerald DiscoverMORE dinner while attending 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 neighbours, 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 jungles 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 Vespa tour of Siem Reap (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Evening – Gondola Boat ride at Banyon with drinks (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Evening - Cambodian Street Food Discovery Tour (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Evening – Local Fare at Phare Circus (extra expense)

Witness a mesmerising 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, accompanied by an Apsara dance performance. Included Excursion Sunrise visit to Angkor Wat EmeraldPLUS Apsara dance performance and dinner show DiscoverMORE Siem Reap Countryside by Vespa (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Banteay Srei Temple and APOPO (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Tonlé Sap and Lotus Workshop (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Khmer Cooking Class (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Senteurs d’Angkor Workshop (extra expense)

After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to the Siem Reap airport to catch your onward or homebound flight. Rivers and waterways are subject to variations in water levels. 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. Please note: Preview itinerary subject to change.