13 Day Wonders of Cambodia, Vietnam & the Mekong River

Day 1    January 1, 2025

Arrive Siem Reap, Cambodia (D (( dinner))

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 program, by an Apsara dance performance.

EmeraldPLUS (included)
Apsara dance and dinner show

Day 2  JAN 2nd

Siem Reap (B ((breakfast)),  L(lunch))

Today, start with a visit to Angkor Thom, not a single temple such as the historic sites of its neighbors, 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.

Included Excursion
Visit to Angkor Thom

Visit to Ta Prohm Temple

Day 3 Jan 3rd

Siem Reap (B)

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

Day 4  Jan 4th

Siem Reap – Koh Khsach Krao – Embarkation (B,L,D)

Today, leave Siem Reap and venture to the town of Koh Khsach Krao 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, set sail to Phnom Penh whilst you enjoy your first dinner on board with your fellow guests.

Day 5  Jan 5th

Oudong – Phnom Penh (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. Start your day with a visit to the Oudong Monastery and Temples. 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. Spend the afternoon as you please exploring our DiscoverMORE excursions or simply relaxing on board Emerald Harmony. After dinner, as part of your EmeraldPLUS programme, enjoy Phnom Penh by night on a remork (Tuk-Tuk) tour.

Day 6  Jan 6th

Phnom Penh (B,L,D)

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.

Back on-board Emerald Harmony, enjoy a Cambodian Street Fair lunch, before visiting the majestic Royal Palace with its French-inspired gardens, followed by a shopping trip at the Central Market located in the heart of the city. This evening, as part of your EmeraldPLUS program, enjoy a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation, before setting sail to the border.

EmeraldPLUS
Cultural Performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organization

Included Excursion
Killing Fields at Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Included Excursion
A visit to the Royal Palace and Central Market

Day 7 Jan 7th

Jan Cross Vietnam/Cambodia Border - Tan Chau – An Long (B,L,D)
Cross the border then sail to Tan Chau. Here 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.

Relax on board this afternoon or join our DiscoverMORE tour of Tràm Chim National Park, home to Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary. Return to Emerald Harmony where you will experience a Lion Dance performance on board.

EmeraldPLUS
A visit to a local Cao Dai Temple

Included Excursion
A visit to Evergreen Island and Included Excursion
Experience a Xe Loi ride, unique to the Mekong Delta

Day 8 Jan 8th

Gieng Island - My An Hung (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.

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 excursion enjoy some local folk singing during the visit, wander through coconut farms, meet the locals and learn about life in the village.

EmeraldPLUS
Listen to some local folk singing in My An Hung
Included Excursion-See the local industries in Gieng Island and a visit to My An Hung village and its Monkey Bridge

Day 9 Jan 9th

Sa Dec – Cai Be (B,L,D)
After a short ride on a sampan 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.

Return to Emerald Harmony by sampan and, after lunch on board, you’ll arrive in Cai Be. Travelling via sampan, visit a coconut candy workshop to learn how coconut candy and other local sweets are made, then visit a local French colonial heritage villa.

Day 10 Jan 10

My Tho – Ho Chi Minh City (B,L,D)
After sailing from My Tho leave the Mekong Delta and 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)

Day 11 Jan 11

Ho Chi Minh City Disembarkation (B,L)
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

Day 12 Jan 12

Ho Chi Minh City (B,D)
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

Day 13 Jan 13

Depart Ho Chi Minh City (B)
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.