Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong

Full of beautiful landscapes, welcoming people, superb food and poignant history, we ensure you experience the very best of Vietnam and Cambodia. Enjoy a journey of discovery as you uncover hidden wonders, and enjoy authentic local experiences. Our Mekong river cruises combine the luxurious comfort of our Emerald Harmony Star-Ship, with the excitement and adventure associated with the many stunning, beautiful and charming destinations you will visit along the way.

Your Fly, Tour & Cruise Package Includes:

• $1400 flight credit per person
• 12 night Vietnam, Cambodia & Mekong cruisetour with Emerald Cruises, Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City

Includes:

• 3 nights accommodation in Siem Reap
• 2 nights accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City
• 7 nights on board Emerald Harmony, Koh Khsach Krao to Ho Chi Minh City
• 31 meals: 12 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 10 dinners
• Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board Emerald Harmony
• The services of an Emerald Cruises Cruise Director
• Port taxes and charges, all tipping and gratuities
• Transfers throughout
• Excursions including visits to Oudong Temples, the Killing Fields, Tan Long Pagoda plus more

Pricing is per person twin share and based on travel 8-20 May 2024

Solo traveller pricing available. Please speak to one of our travel consultants for more details

Itinerary:

Day 1 Arrival Siem Reap

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 show with Apsara dancers.

Day 2 Siem Reap

Today, start with a visit to Angkor Thom, 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. The city was established in the late twelfth century by King Jayavarman VII and covers an area of 9 square kilometres. After the tour, visit the sacred temple of Ta Prohm, overgrown by jungle trees.

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

This evening, witness the incredible Phare Cambodian Circus, 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.

Day 3 Siem Reap

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.

Return to the hotel and enjoy the day at leisure or continue touring with DiscoverMORE. Later you may also choose a DiscoverMORE evening option.

Day 4 Siem Reap – Koh Khsach Krao Embarkation

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 to see the impressive Angkor Bridge, before having lunch at a local restaurant and a further stop in the spider village of Skol. On arrival in Koh Khsach Krao, you’ll be welcomed by your captain and crew. Later, set sail whilst you enjoy your first dinner on board with your fellow travellers.

Day 5 Oudong - Phnom Penh

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 sight include the burial sites of Khmer kings as well as religious artefacts dating back more than a hundred years. Receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the temple’s resident monks as part of EmeraldPLUS.

Spend the afternoon as you please, exploring with DiscoverMORE options or simply relaxing on board Emerald Harmony as you sail to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital. The city known as the “Pearl of Asia”, was almost entirely evacuated by the Khmer Rouge in 1975.

After dinner, enjoy a Phnom Penh by City Lights remork (tuk tuk) tour.

Day 6 Phnom Penh - Vietnam  Cambodia Border

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. Then you will 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 stop at 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 to the border where you will anchor for the night. Tonight, enjoy a Cambodian-style family dinner.

Day 7 Vietnam  Cambodia Border Crossing – Tan Chau – Long Khanh Island

This morning, cross the border into Vietnam and continue sailing to Tan Chau.

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.

This afternoon, sail to Long Khanh Island, known for its scarf weaving and visit the Hoa Hao Buddhist pagoda. After anchoring for the night near An long, you’ll be delighted by a traditional Lion Dance performance on board.

Day 8 An Long - My An Hung

Relax on board this morning or join our DiscoverMORE tour of Tràm Chim National Park, home to 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.

This afternoon, enjoy a visit to My An Hung village as part of our EmeraldPLUS programme. 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, wander through coconut farms, meet the locals and learn about life in the village.

Tonight, enjoy a Vietnamese family-style dinner as you sail to Sa Dec.

Day 9 Sa Dec - Cai Be

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

Continue sailing to My Tho this evening.

Day 10 My Tho - Ho Chi Minh City

Sit back, relax and take in a full day of sailing the magnificent Mekong River and canals. Watch as life in the Mekong Delta, known as the “rice bowl” of Vietnam awakens for another day as the ship departs early this morning to begin transiting the Cho Gao canal. 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. Note: You will not be able to disembark this evening due to Customs Regulations.

Day 11 Ho Chi Minh City Disembarkation – City Stay

Bid farewell to your luxury Star-Ship in the morning and 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, check into your hotel for your included two-night stay, and enjoy a free afternoon.

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

Day 12 Ho Chi Minh City

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.

Day 13 Depart Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to the HCMC airport to catch your onward or homebound flight.

Please note: 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.

Prices listed are per person in Australian/New Zealand Dollars, based on twin occupancy, including all discounts unless otherwise stated. The offer is subject to availability at time of booking and shown *on the lowest balcony category available at the time. Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice. Prices/Offers are correct as at 20 December 2023 and can be withdrawn without notice. Cabin categories include prepaid government fees and port taxes unless otherwise stated. Hotels may charge resort fees not included in this package, payable direct upon check in. Visas are not included. Air credit is applicable on airline of choice, subject to availability and subject to the carriers’ flight schedules and conditions. Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.