Wonders of Cambodia, Vietnam & the Mekong

Sous Sdei and welcome to Cambodia. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for your included three-night stay in Siem Reap. In the evening, you’ll meet your Cambodian tour director to learn more about the days ahead, before enjoying a welcome dinner accompanied, as part of EmeraldPLUS programme, by an Apsara dance performance. EmeraldPLUS Apsara dance and dinner show

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 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)

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. 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 Included Excursion Sunrise visit to Angkor Wat DiscoverMORE Vespa tour of Siem Reap (extra expense) 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)

Today, leave Siem Reap and venture to the town of Peam Chi Korng to embark your Emerald Cruises award-winning Star-Ship. On arrival, you’ll be welcomed by your captain and crew. Later, set sail to Angkor Ban whilst you enjoy your first dinner on board with your fellow guests.

In Angkor Ban, explore its historical rural wooden houses which survived the Khmer Rouge and visit a classroom that teaches English to the local students, after their regular school lessons. In the village temple learn how to pray in a Buddhist pagoda and you’ll receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the temple’s resident monks as part of your EmeraldPLUS excursion. Afterwards set sail to Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. The city, known as the “Pearl of Asia”, was almost entirely evacuated by the Khmer Rouge in 1975. This evening, enjoy a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Childrens Organisation. EmeraldPLUS A traditional Buddhist Monk blessing EmeraldPLUS Cultural Performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation Included Excursion Walk around the historical village of Angkor Ban

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, programme 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)

In the morning visit the majestic Royal Palace with its gardens and Silver Pagoda, followed a shopping excursion to the very art deco style Central Market located in the heart of the city. After retuning on board and enjoying a Cambodian Street Fair lunch set sail for a relaxing afternoon of cruising as you sail to the Cambodian and Vietnam border.  After clearing immigration enter Vietnam and sail to Tan Chau. Later this evening, as part of our EmeraldPLUS programme, you’ll be delighted by a traditional Lion Dance performance on board. EmeraldPLUS A Lion Dance performance on board Included Excursion A visit to the Royal Palace and Central Market

In Tan Chau 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 and sailing to An Long. EmeraldPLUS A visit to a local Cao Dai Temple Included Excursion A visit to Evergreen Island Included Excursion Experience a Xe Loi ride, unique to the Mekong Delta

The morning is yours to enjoy your free time on board or, if you prefer, partake in our DiscoverMORE tour of Tràm Chim National Park, home to Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary. Later sail to Gieng Island where the afternoon 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 and sail to My An Hung Island. DiscoverMORE A visit to Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary in Tram Chim National Park (extra expense) Included Excursion See the local industries in Gieng 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. Return to Emerald Harmony and, after lunch on board, you’ll arrive in Sa Dec. After a short ride on a sampan up the canal to Sa Dec, enjoy a walking tour around town.  Stop include 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. 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

This morning, 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 My Tho. Included Excursion Visit the Thoi Binh hamlet and its farming and fishing communities, untouched by tourism

From My Tho enter the Cho Gao Canal.  This canal is considered one of Vietnam 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)

Drive away from Ho Chi Minh City port 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, check into the Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers for a two-night stay with 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)

Enjoy a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City, starting with a visit to the city’s most iconic building, the Reunification, or Independence Palace. Formerly the South Vietnamese Presidential Palace, images of the building were seen around the world on 30 April 1975 when tanks stormed the gates as Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese. Then, stroll through Ho Chi Minh City’s colonial quarter, walking past scenes of everyday life on the way. Admire the beautiful architecture of the Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, City Hall and the old Saigon Post Office and listen to the stories about the glory days of French Indochina and how that era continues to influence aspects of modern Vietnamese culture. Tonight, enjoy your farewell dinner with your fellow guests. Included Excursion An orientation tour of Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to the 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. Please note: Preview itinerary subject to change.