Grand Tour of Indochina

Xin Chao and welcome to Hanoi. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to downtown Hanoi for your included one-night stay. Relax at the hotel, explore the city, or wander Hanoi’s romantic West Lake. This evening, meet your tour director for your welcome briefing.

This morning after breakfast, leave Hanoi and travel to Halong Bay where you will board your elegant Au Co cruise ship. Cruise through the bays and islets enjoying the stunning scenery of this magnificent region. Enjoy the tours offered on board, learn more about the main livelihood of the locals in the area or simply choose to relax. Towards the end of the day, the ship anchors for the night in the Trinh Nu area among the karst formations where dinner will be served on board. Included Excursion A two-night Halong Bay cruise on the elegant Au Co cruise ship

Today, continue sailing further into the region’s more untouched areas towards Lan Ha Bay. From a smaller boat, enjoy swimming on quiet beaches and kayaking in Ho Ba Ham Lake. Then visit Cua Van fishing village by rowing boat. After a full day’s exploration, you’ll return to your cruise ship and after dinner, try your hand at squid fishing.

Enjoy the sunrise and breakfast. Then cruise through breathtaking rock formations and visit Sung Sot Cave, before arriving back at port for your transfer to Hanoi. On arrival back in Hanoi, you’ll visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter also known as the ‘36 Streets’. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Its a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities. Visit Hang Be Market, also located in the Old Quarter, before enjoying a walk around Hoàn Ki?m Lake located in central Hanoi. Here walk across the red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple located on the Jade Islet within the lake. Later, enjoy a traditional water puppet show, a unique North Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of historical significance. As part of EmeraldPLUS, youll enjoy dinner at KOTO (Know One Teach One), a unique restaurant set up to train and educate disadvantaged children. EmeraldPLUS Dinner at KOTO Restaurant Included Excursion Visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter Included Excursion A traditional water puppet show

Begin your morning city tour and learn about ‘Uncle Ho’, Ho Chi Minh, regarded as the father of modern Vietnam. Admire the exterior of his imposing mausoleum, before continuing to the Ho Chi Minh Quarter to glimpse his humble stilt house and the small but iconic One Pillar Pagoda. Then explore the nearby Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university established to educate Vietnam’s royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years, and its charming gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into the nation’s storied past. Depart Hanoi and transfer to the airport for your included flight to Da Nang (Hoi An). Upon arrival in Hoi An, transfer to the Bel Marina Hoi An Resort for your included three-night stay. Tonight you can join a DiscoverMORE excursion. DiscoverMORE Hoi An Memories Show (extra expense) Included Excursion Hanoi’s City Tour, including the Temple of Literature

Today, start with our EmeraldPLUS visit to the Reaching Out Project. Reaching Out is an NGO (non-governmental organisation) established in 2000, which provides opportunities for people with disabilities to learn skills and gain meaningful employment. Visit the workshop and get a glimpse of how this NGO helps them to integrate fully with their communities and lead independent and fulfilling lives. After, enjoy a walking tour of Hoi An and see the old merchant’s houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Assembly Hall of the Chinese Congregation. Tonight, after a dinner menu sampling the local style street food, the evening is yours free to wander the historical lantern lit streets and their many shops or bars. EmeraldPLUS Reaching Out Project Included Excursion A walking tour of Hoi An

Enjoy a day of leisure to explore Hoi An and its surroundings. Perhaps take the time to explore the Old Town and visit one of the many tailors Hoi An is known for, or take a cyclo (bicycle style rickshaw) to An Bang Beach. Alternatively venture out on one of our DiscoverMORE excursions. The choice is yours. DiscoverMORE My Son Historic Kingdom Tour (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Hoi An Rural Life (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Ba Na Hills & Golden Hands Bridge (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Thu Bon River Sunset Cruise (extra expense)

Leave Hoi An for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. You will drive through Danang before crossing the Hai Vân Pass, known as the Ocean Clouds Pass before dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. In Hue, you will visit the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Enjoy a relaxing cyclo (bicycle-style rickshaw) ride from Dai Noi ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors where the emperors used to go to relax. Then later, join a boat trip to visit Thien Mu Pagoda before checking your hotel Indochine Palace for the night. This evening, for your EmeraldPLUS experience, savour a traditional Vietnamese royal dinner menu. EmeraldPLUS A traditional Vietnamese royal dinner at a local restaurant Included Excursion Cyclo ride from Dai Noi ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake Included Excursion A visit to the Imperial Citadel Included Excursion A boat tour on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda

Today, transfer to Hue airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. After checking into your hotel, you will be free to explore the city.

Drive away from Ho Chi Minh City 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 to Ho Chi Minh City, enjoy a Pho (noodle soup) lunch with the remainder of the afternoon and evening yours to enjoy at leisure or venture out on one of our DiscoverMORE excursions. Included Excursion Cu Chi Tunnels DiscoverMORE An evening Saigon Street Food walking tour (extra expense) DiscoverMORE One Night in Saigon (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 will board your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, Emerald Harmony. You’ll be welcomed on board by your captain and crew before setting sail down the Saigon River to Cho Gao canal where you will anchor for the night. This evening, enjoy your first dinner on board with your fellow travellers. 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

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 be fascinated watching the heavy commercial traffic navigate this important waterway, where upwards of 1,800 vessels transit each day. Once on the Mekong River, this afternoon you’ll visit the 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 sail onwards to Sa Ðéc, a Mekong Delta hidden gem. Included Excursion Visit the Thoi Binh hamlet and its farming and fishing communities that is untouched by tourism

After a short sampan ride to Sa Ðéc, enjoy a walking tour with a visit to the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, who inspired Marguerite Duras’ celebrated novel, L’Amant, and the town’s bustling central market. Return to Emerald Harmony by sampan, then sail on to My An Hung Island. Recognised as a cultural and historical destination, this small rural village specialises in cultivating red-hot chilli and peppers and is known for its Monkey Bridge. As part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, listen to local folk singing during your visit. EmeraldPLUS Listen to some local folk singing in My An Hung 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 a variety of local industries including Mango farming, different types of boat building and a factory making incense sticks for temples. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure on board, or alternatively, partake in a DiscoverMORE excursion to the Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary in An Long. As part of our EmeraldPLUS experience, you’ll delight in a traditional Lion Dance performance on board. EmeraldPLUS A Lion Dance performance on board Included Excursion See the local industries in Gieng Island DiscoverMORE A visit to Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary in Tram Chim National Park (extra expense)

Embark on a sampan ride to Evergreen Island for a walk through a local village, giving you a glimpse into the lives of the local farming community. Reboard your sampan and return to Tan Chau and as part of our EmeraldPLUS experience, visit the 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 returning to Emerald Harmony. Back on board your Star-Ship, you’ll sail to the border between Vietnam and Cambodia. EmeraldPLUS A visit to a local Cao Dai Temple and Xe Loi ride, unique to the Mekong Delta Included Excursion A visit to Evergreen Island

This morning, you’ll awake in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Known as the ‘Pearl of Asia,’ the city was almost entirely evacuated by the Khmer Rouge in 1975. Today, you’ll learn 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’ll have the opportunity to stroll through the fields, visit the memorial and understand more about this country’s sombre chapter. Afterwards, visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as ‘S-21’), a former school converted to the Khmer Rouge’s main prison and torture HQ. Spend the afternoon as you please, either exploring our DiscoverMORE excursions, visiting the Central Market located in the heart of Phnom Penh, or simply relaxing on board Emerald Harmony. This evening, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy a remork (local Tuk-Tuk) tour through Phnom Penh to admire 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 Distillery (extra expense)

Located north of Phnom Penh, Oudong was the former royal capital of Cambodia until it relocated to Phnom Penh in 1866. Start your day with a visit to the Oudong Monastery and Temples. Important remnants here include the burial sites of Khmer kings as well as religious artefacts dating back more than a century. In Oudong Monastery’s main temple, receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the resident monks, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the majestic Royal Palace, with its French-inspired gardens and Silver Pagoda. Back on board, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation. Afterwards, make the short sail to Prek K’Dam, gliding past Phnom Penh illuminated at night. EmeraldPLUS A traditional Buddhist Monk blessing EmeraldPLUS Cultural Performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation Included Excursion A visit to the Royal Palace

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 honouring the environment and paying homage to the traditional and local aesthetics. This evening as part of your EmeraldPLUS programme, attend Phare, The Cambodian Circus, where a combination of acrobatics, music and dance tell a uniquely Cambodian story. Take advantage of our DiscoverMORE dinner at the circus to further support Phare’s work. EmeraldPLUS Phare Cambodian Circus performance (extra expense) 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 Evening – Sunset Drinks Gondola Boat at Bayon (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Evening - Cambodian Street Food Discovery Tour (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 at Satcha Handicraft Centre, 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) DiscoverMORE Khmer Cooking Class (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Senteurs d’Angkor Workshop (extra expense)

After breakfast, transfer to the Siem Reap Airport to catch your onward flight to Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos. Enjoy a three-night Special Stay. Later walk to the top of Luang Prabang’s highest mountain, Mount Phousi and watch the sunset over this historical town.

Today visit the city’s main sites including Wat Xieng Thong, one of the most important and oldest temples in Laos, Wat Mai, the city’s largest temple and the former Royal Palace, now converted into the National Museum. Later, enjoy a 2-hour cruise along the Mekong River to explore the Pak Ou Caves (locally called Tam Ting) flooded with thousands of gold Buddha statue buried within a limestone cliff. This well-known attraction is a must-see in Laos. When returning by road, stop at a village to partake in a local game with the villagers. Tonight is yours at leisure leaving you with free time to shop in the well-known night market for those gifts to take back home.

A truly beautiful and empowering moment awaits upon the streets of Luang Prabang. Rise early to attend the morning ritual and admire the silent movements of the local monks as they collect their daily alms. Afterwards return to the hotel for breakfast before heading out for the day. Travel to Kuang Si waterfalls, a set of picturesque, tiered waterfalls and swimming holes set amongst the dense jungle before returning to Luang Prabang for lunch. Later this afternoon as part of your EmeraldPLUS program immerse yourself in local spirituality during a traditional Baci ceremony and pay respects to ancient traditions of Laos. The Baci is performed in celebration of an important event such as weddings, births, or for welcoming guests and is a means of expressing good will and good luck to others. The Lao believe that each person has 32 spirits which constitute their spiritual essence and the Baci is the ritual used to call back any escaped spirits into the body.  During the Baci, special flower trays and food treats are prepared which you then touch while a Buddhist mantra is chanted.  After the chanting is completed, cotton threads are tied around your wrist whilst you receive an individual blessing.  This evening enjoy your delicious farewell dinner and relive the memories together from your journey. EmeraldPLUS Baci Ceremony

Bid farewell to Laos and join your included flight to Bangkok, Thailand, where your journey ends on arrival. 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. Please note: Preview itinerary subject to change.