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 for your included two-night stay.

Formerly known as Saigon, this is a city with a turbulent and colourful past. Today, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s commercial centre with over eight million inhabitants and four million motorbikes. (D)

Drive away from Ho Chi Minh City, watching the city skyline fade into the distance as the road winds through rice paddies, villages and other scenes typical to southern Vietnam. Spend a couple of hours walking around Cu Chi’s rugged grounds with a local guide. Hear how the residents constructed an intricate underground network of tunnels during the French and American wars. Hear incredible tales about the unusual foods the residents ate to survive and much more. Once above ground, see other ingenious items used by the residents to defend themselves such as bamboo traps and camouflaged pits.

Upon your return to Ho Chi Minh City, the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure.

This evening choose between two DiscoverMORE options to experience the night life of HCMC.

• Included Excursion A tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels
• DiscoverMORE Evening - Saigon street food tour (extra expense)
• DiscoverMORE Evening – One night in Saigon (extra expense) (B/L)

After checkout, enjoy a tour of the city, 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 towards My Tho in the Mekong Delta.

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 (B/L/D)

This morning you will be taken to the Thoi Binh hamlet, a peaceful island on the Mekong Delta near Ben Tre. The Mekong Delta has always been known for its natural beauty of rice paddies, fruit orchards, coconut palm trees, the mangroves along the riverbanks, tiny creeks meandering around the wetland delta and especially the hospitality of locals in remote villages away from the hustle and bustle of big cities.

Thoi Binh hamlet has been untouched by tourism over the past decades and this excursion would introduce to you the lifestyle of the locals’ fruit plantations and farms of the Mekong Delta.

Return to Emerald Harmony and sail onwards to Sa Dec, a hidden gem along the river. (B/L/D)

Visit Sa Dec on a walking tour, with stops at the Chinese Congregational House in Kien An Cung, and see outside 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. Recognised as a cultural and historical destination, this small village in rural Vietnam specialises in red-hot chilli and peppers. Enjoy some local folk singing during the visit.

• EmeraldPLUS A visit to My Ang Hung village (B/L/D)

The morning 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. Covering a total area of 7,313 hectares, Tram Chim National Park, located in Tam Nong, is currently one of Vietnam’s eight most important bird sanctuaries. With a system of swamps, grass plots and natural canals, the park is an ideal habitat for 191 species of plants, 150 species of freshwater fish, and nearly 231 species of water birds. Some of these are listed in Vietnam’s Red Book of rare and threatened species.

In the afternoon, embark on a journey to Long Khanh Island, visit a local family to learn about scarf-weaving and visit the Hoa Hao Buddhist Pagoda. Return to Emerald Harmony where, later this evening, you’ll be delighted by 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)
• Included Excursion A visit to a local scarf-weaving workshop and Hoa Hao Buddhist Pagoda on Long Khanh Island (B/L/D)

In Tan Chau, as part of EmeraldPLUS, 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.

After a Xe Loi ride, embark one of our sampans to Evergreen Island for a walk through a local village to get a glimpse into the lives of the local farming community. Stop at a local fish farm enroute back to the ship. Back on board your luxury Star-Ship, cruise to the border between Vietnam and Cambodia. Tonight, celebrate crossing the border with a Cambodian-style family dinner.

• EmeraldPLUS A visit to Cao Dai temple, a religion unique to the Mekong Delta
• Included Excursion A visit to Evergreen Island and Tan Chau (B/L/D)

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. 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 small museum 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. The afternoon is yours to continue exploring, experience one of two DiscoverMORE options or to simply relax on board your Star-Ship. In the evening, you will have a chance to experience an evening remork (or Tuk-Tuk) ride through Phnom Penh to enjoy the city lights.

• EmeraldPLUS Phnom Penh by night on a remork (Tuk-Tuk) tour
• Included Excursion A visit to the Killing Fields & Toul Sleng Genocide Museum
• DiscoverMORE A silk farm tour at Koh Oknha Tei (extra expense)
• DiscoverMORE Enjoy a craft beer adventure by remork in Phnom Penh (extra expense) (B/L/D)

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 sight 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 excursion.

In the afternoon, you will visit the majestic Royal Palace with its gardens and the central market located in the heart of the city. This evening, enjoy a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation before setting sail past the lights of Phnom Penh to Koh Khsach Krao.

• EmeraldPLUS A traditional Buddhist Monk blessing
• EmeraldPLUS A cultural Performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation
• Included Excursion A visit to Oudong Monastery
• Included Excursion A visit to the Royal Palace and central market (B/L/D)

Disembark Emerald Harmony in the morning and continue by road to Siem Reap for your included three-night stay. En-route to Siem Reap, stop in the spider village of Skol, Kampong Kdei and see the impressive Angkor Bridge.

This evening, witness the incredible Cambodian Circus, Phare, a spectacle of acrobatics, theatre and music. Phare is an NGO founded by Cambodian refugees to assist disadvantaged young people by teaching them performing arts.

• EmeraldPLUS The Cambodian Circus, Phare (B/L)

Today, start with a visit to Angkor Thom. As the last capital of the Khmer Empire, it was a fortified city, home to priests, officials of the palace and military, as well as buildings for administering the kingdom.

Afterwards, visit the sacred Temple of Ta Prohm, still overgrown by jungle trees, it has been the backdrop for many Hollywood movies.

This afternoon and evening is at your leisure or undertake a DiscoverMORE option.

• Included Excursion A visit to Angkor Thom
• Included Excursion A visit to Ta Prohm Temple
• DiscoverMORE Afternoon - A Vespa tour of Siem Reap (extra expense)
• DiscoverMORE Evening – Drinks and Canapes in the Rice Field (extra expense)
• DiscoverMORE Evening - Sunset Gondola Boat Ride at Bayan (extra expense)
• DiscoverMORE Evening - Cambodian Street Food Discovery Tour (extra expense) (B/L)

Rise early and witness the sunrise over Angkor Wat. Afterwards walk through this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site known for its elaborate decorations and intricate carvings throughout.

This afternoon is free for you to explore more, to go shopping or to relax at your hotel. And, in the evening, you’ll enjoy your farewell dinner at Satcha Cambodian Handicraft Incubation Center, accompanied by an Apsara dance performance.

• Included Excursion A sunrise visit to Angkor Wat
• DiscoverMORE A visit to Banteay Srei (extra expense)
• DiscoverMORE A visit to Tonlé Sap (extra expense)
• DiscoverMORE A culinary tour of Cambodia (extra expense) (B/D)

After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to the 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. Please refer to our terms and conditions. (B)

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. (D)

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 lunch with 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) (B/L)

After checkout, enjoy a tour of the city, 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 after lunch 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 (B/L/D)

This morning travel through the bustling Cho Gao. The Cho Gao canal is one of the major arterial canals of Vietnam connecting Tien Giang Province in the Mekong Delta with Ho Chi Minh City. Today is 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 the 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 sweet 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 (B/L/D)

After a short ride on a sampan to Sa Dec enjoy a walking tour around town with stops at the Chinese Congregational House in Kien An Cung, the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le (currently under renovation), 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. 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 programme, 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 Chinese Congregational House and the bustling Sa Dec Markets
• Included Excursion A visit to My An Hung village and its Monkey Bridge (B/L/D)

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.

The afternoon 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.

• 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) (B/L/D)

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 to then visit a Mekong fish farm before returning to Emerald Harmony.

Back on board your luxury Star-Ship, cruise to the border between Vietnam and Cambodia. Whilst at the border, as part of our EmeraldPLUS programme, you’ll be delighted by a traditional Lion Dance performance on board. Tonight, celebrate crossing the border with a Cambodian-style family dinner.

• 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 (B/L/D)

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. 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. Spend the afternoon as you please exploring our DiscoverMORE excursions or simply relaxing on board Emerald Harmony. In the evening, as part of your

• EmeraldPLUS You will have a chance to experience an evening remork (local Tuk-Tuk) ride through Phnom Penh to enjoy 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) (B/L/D)

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.

In the afternoon, you will visit the majestic Royal Palace with its gardens, followed by the Central Market located in the heart of the city. Back on board, as part of your EmeraldPLUS programme, enjoy a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children's Organisation. Afterwards set sail, gliding past the illuminated Phnom Penh at night for a short sail to Koh Khsach Krao.

• 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 and Central Market (B/L/D)

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.

• EmeraldPLUS Phare Cambodian Circus performance (B/L)

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 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 this evening.
• 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 - Dinner in the Rice Field (extra expense)
• DiscoverMORE Evening - Cambodian Street Food Discovery Tour (extra expense) (B/L)

Rise early and witness the sunrise over Angkor Wat. Afterwards walk through this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site known for its elaborate decorations and intricate carvings throughout. This afternoon is free time to visit the town and markets or try a DiscoverMORE tour. Later this evening, enjoy your farewell dinner as part of your EmeraldPLUS programme, accompanied by an Apsara dance performance.

• EmeraldPLUS Apsara dance performance and dinner show
• Included Excursion Sunrise visit to Angkor Wat
• DiscoverMORE Vespa tour of Siem Reap
• DiscoverMORE A visit to Banteay Srei (extra expense)
• DiscoverMORE A visit to Tonlé Sap (extra expense)
• DiscoverMORE A culinary tour of Cambodia (extra expense)
• DiscoverMORE Senteurs d’Angkor Workshop (extra expense) (B/D)

After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred 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. (B)