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.

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 afternoon is free time to visit the 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 Visit to Angkor Thom Included Excursion Visit to Ta Prohm Temple DiscoverMORE Vespa tour of Siem Reap (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Evening – Sunset Drinks Gondola Boat at Bayon (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Evening - Cambodian Street Food Discovery Tour (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Evening – Local Fare at Phare Circus (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, enjoy free time to explore Siem Reap, or join a DiscoverMORE excursion. Later, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy an immersive evening 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 and Lotus Workshop (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Khmer Cooking Class (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Senteurs d’Angkor Workshop (extra expense)

Today, leave Siem Reap and venture to the town of Rokar Koang to embark your Emerald Cruises award-winning Star-Ship. En route, stop in Kampong Kdei and see the impressive Angkor Bridge, before having lunch at a local restaurant. On arrival, you’ll be welcomed by your captain and crew. Later you’ll set sail for Angkor Ban while enjoying your first dinner on board.

In historic Angkor Ban, visit the rural wooden houses that survived the Khmer Rouge and a classroom that teaches English to local students after regular school lessons. In the village, you’ll learn how to pray in a Buddhist pagoda and receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the resident monks, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience. Afterwards, set sail for Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Known as the ‘Pearl of Asia,’ this city was almost entirely evacuated by the Khmer Rouge in 1975. Later, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy an evening remork ride through Phnom Penh, admiring the glittering city lights. Included Excursion Walk around the historical village of Angkor Ban EmeraldPLUS A traditional Buddhist Monk blessing EmeraldPLUS Phnom Penh by night on a remork (Tuk-Tuk) tour

Today, you’ll 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 a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation Included Excursion Killing Fields at Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum EmeraldPLUS Cultural Performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation DiscoverMORE A silk farm tour at Koh Oknha Tei (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Craft Beer Adventure by remork (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Samai Distillery (extra expense)

This morning, you’ll visit the majestic Royal Palace with its French-inspired gardens and Silver Pagoda. After returning on board and enjoying a Cambodian Street Fair lunch, enjoy a relaxed afternoon of cruising as you move onwards to the Cambodian and Vietnam border. Upon entering Vietnam, you’ll cruise to Tan Chau. Later this evening, for your EmeraldPLUS experience, you’ll delight in a traditional Lion Dance performance on board. Included Excursion Visit to the Royal Palace EmeraldPLUS Lion Dance performance on board Emerald Harmony

In Tan Chau, embark on a sampan ride to Evergreen Island for a walk through a Mekong Delta farming village. Reboard your sampan to travel back to Tan Chau for a visit 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. Once back onboard Emerald Harmony, cruise onwards to An Long. Included Excursion Visit to Evergreen Island, a Cao Dai Temple visit and Xe Loi ride EmeraldPLUS A visit to a local Cao Dai Temple and Xe Loi ride, unique to the Mekong Delta

The morning is yours to enjoy at leisure on board or, if you prefer, partake in our DiscoverMORE excursion to Tràm Chim National Park, home to the Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary. After lunch, sail to Gieng Island. 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. Afterwards, reboard Emerald Harmony and sail to My An Hung Island. Included Excursion See the local industries in Gieng Island DiscoverMORE Visit to Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary in Tram Chim National Park (extra expense)

Recognised as a cultural and historical destination, this small Delta village specialises in cultivating red-hot chilli. As part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy local folk singing, wander through coconut farms and immerse yourself in traditional village life. Return to Emerald Harmony and, after lunch on board, you’ll 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. Included Excursion Visit to the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le and the bustling Sa Ðéc Markets Included Excursion Visit to My An Hung village EmeraldPLUS Listen to local folk singing in My An Hung

After a relaxing morning cruising, this afternoon you’ll visit Tan My Floating community in Ben Tre.  Take a ride on a buggy through the local plantations to visit a mushroom farm, a fruit farm with sampling and a honey farm with local sweets. Later, you’ll reboard Emerald Harmony before sailing on to My Tho. Included Excursion Visit the Thoi Binh hamlet and its authentic farming and fishing communities

From My Tho, you’ll enter the Cho Gao Canal, considered one of Vietnam’s major arterial canals that connects the Mekong Delta’s Tien Giang Province with Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll find it fascinating to watch the heavy commercial traffic navigate this important waterway, which sees upwards of 1,800 vessels transit each day. During your day of relaxation on board, soak up the everchanging passing scenery, enjoy a dip in the infinity pool, or indulge in a spa treatment (at additional cost). Tonight, you’ll dock in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, where you can admire the city lights; due to Vietnamese customs regulations, youll not be permitted to venture ashore.

After disembarkation, 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, enjoy a traditional Pho (noodle soup) lunch then check in to the Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers for your included two-night stay. Tonight join a DiscoverMORE excursion. Included Excursion Cu Chi Tunnels DiscoverMORE An evening Saigon Street Food walking tour (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Saigon After Dark by Vintage Jeep (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 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. 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.