Wonders Of Indochina And The Mekong

Xin Chao and welcome to Ho Chi Minh City! On arrival, you will be met by your Emerald Cruises representative and transferred to your hotel, situated in downtown District 1, for a two-night stay. After checking in, you will be free to explore the city before meeting your tour director for your welcome briefing and dinner at a local restaurant.

Drive north of Ho Chi Minh City to the 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 legendary grounds with a local guide. Upon your return to Ho Chi Minh City, enjoy a traditional 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, sail through the bustling Cho Gao, one of the major arterial canals of Vietnam connecting Tien Giang Province in the Mekong Delta with Ho Chi Minh City. Today makes a fascinating morning watching the heavy commercial traffic navigate this important waterway, which can see upwards of 1,800 vessels transit each day. This afternoon, once on the Mekong River, you’ll visit Tan My Floating community, followed by a ride through the local plantations to visit a mushroom farm, a fruit farm with sampling and a honey farm with local sweets. You’ll then return to Emerald Harmony to sail onwards to Sa Ðéc, a hidden gem on the Mekong Delta.

Included Excursion
Visit Thoi Binh hamlet and its farming and fishing communities, untouched by tourism

After a short sampan ride to Sa Ðéc, 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 walk through the town’s central market to peruse its varied produce.

Return to Emerald Harmony by sampan and sail to My An Hung Island. Recognised as a cultural and historical destination, this small Mekong Delta village specialises in cultivating red-hot chilli and peppers. As part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy some 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, then continue your journey by road to Siem Reap for your included three-night stay. Upon arrival in this lively northern city, check into the beautiful Shinta Mani 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. For Dinner try a special Emerald DiscoverMORE option either while attending the circus, to further support Phare’s work or try Cambodian Street Food Discovery Tour beforehand.

EmeraldPLUS
Phare Cambodian Circus performance.

DiscoverMORE
Evening – Local Fare at Phare Circus (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE
Evening - Cambodian Street Food Discovery Tour (extra expense)

Start the day with a visit to magnificent Angkor Thom. This is 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, Angkor Thom was a fortified city, the home to priests, officials of the palace, military and buildings for administering the kingdom. Afterwards, visit the sacred Ta Prohm temple. 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 numerous Hollywood scenes, the iconic Ta Prohm is both a cinematic and contemplative location to explore.

This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure to explore Siem Reap or join an Emerald DiscoverMORE excursion. Later, for today’s EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy an immersive evening and dinner at Satcha Handicraft Centre, accompanied by an enchanting traditional Khmer entertainment.

Included Excursion
Visit to Angkor Thom

Included Excursion
Visit to Ta Prohm Temple

DiscoverMORE
Evening – Gondola Boat ride at Banyon with drinks (extra expense)

EmeraldPLUS
Apsara dance performance and farewell dinner show at Satcha Handicraft Centre 

Witness a mesmerising sunrise over Angkor Wat, a truly unforgettable experience. Afterwards, walk through this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, considered one of the greatest ancient wonders on earth and renowned for its well-preserved, intricate carvings.

After visiting Angkor Wat, enjoy time at leisure to explore Siem Reap before your afternoon flight to Laos or join an Emerald DiscoverMORE excursion.

Later transfer to the airport for your included flight VN930 to Laos and Luang Prabang, a former royal capital and the heart of Laotian culture and Buddhist spirituality. In this enchanting riverside city, enjoy a four-night stay at the Villa Maly Hotel – within walking distance to Luang Prabang’s famous night markets.

Included Excursion
Sunrise visit to Angkor Wat

DiscoverMORE
Khmer Cooking Class (extra expense)

Discover key landmarks within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, including the exquisite, 16th century temple, Wat Xieng Thong and former Royal Palace, now converted into the National Museum. The remainder of the day is at leisure before dinner tonight.

Included Excursion
Tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town

Today enjoy a boat cruise along the Mekong River, stopping at a local village which specialises in traditional rice wine before continuing to the Pak Ou Caves, a sacred grotto crammed with thousands of multi-sized golden Buddhas. After returning to Luang Prabang, let the locals show you how to play Pétanque, also known as Petong in Laos. Tonight, enjoy your free time, perhaps shopping for souvenirs and sampling local cuisine at the vibrant night market.  

Included Excursion
Cruise along the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves

Included Excursion
Learn how to play Pétanque, also known as Petong

Rise early to witness the incredible sight of Buddhist monks move silently through the atmospheric streets as they collect alms. Later this morning, travel to Kuang Si waterfalls, a set of picturesque, tiered falls and swimming holes set amongst the lush, dense jungle.

This afternoon, join an Emerald DiscoverMORE excursion, before enjoying your Farewell Dinner with your fellow guests this evening.  

Included Excursion
Travel to Kuang Si waterfalls

DiscoverMORE
Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Centre – natural dyeing class (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE
Ban Chan (Laos Pottery House) – Pottery lesson (extra expense)

Later this morning checkout of your hotel and bid farewell to Laos.  Transfer to the airport for your included flight PG942 to Thailand and its vibrant capital, Bangkok, where your extraordinary Indochina journey ends. 

Emerald Cruises transfers are only available for flights departing out of Bangkok after 07:00 PM.

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.