Tour Overview
River Cruise Network Offers Emerald’s Mekong River
The Mekong - Vietnam & Cambodia
At over 2,700 miles long, the mighty Mekong river is most definitely king, and it’s people have developed ingenious ways to live in harmony with this beautiful landscape. Journey with us through the wonderful maze of waterways of the Mekong Delta, where life is simple and traditional yet fascinating and captivating. Travel in complete comfort and style on board our specifically designed Emerald Harmony Star-Ship.
Our three immersive itineraries all allow you to explore this magnificent region. From cruising through floating markets where you can shop for fruit, clothes and souvenirs from the side of your boat, to watching children riding on the backs of water buffalo, you will be immersed into this rural lifestyle and learn why this region is called the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam. Being one of the most important and successful agricultural regions in the world, it holds a myriad of exquisite foods to sample.
Itinerary Overview
Day 1 - Arrival Phnom Penh
Sous Sdei and welcome to Cambodia. You will be met at Phnom Penh airport and transferred to embark your Emerald Cruises award-winning Star-Ship in Prek K’dam. Arrive by 03:00pm. Be welcomed by your captain and crew. Later, set sail whilst you enjoy your first dinner on board with your fellow travellers.
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2 - 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. After dinner, enjoy a Phnom Penh by City Lights remork (tuk tuk) tour.
EmeraldPLUS - Phnom Penh by night on a remork (Tuk-Tuk) tour
EmeraldPLUS - Traditional Buddhist Monk blessing
Included Excursion - Visit to Oudong Temples
DiscoverMORE - Silk farm tour at Koh Oknha Tei (extra expense)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Phnom Penh - Vietnam / Cambodia Border Crossing
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. 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. Celebrate crossing the border with a Cambodian-style family dinner.
EmeraldPLUS- A cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation
Included Excursion- A visit to the Killing Fields & Toul Sleng Genocide Museum
Included Excursion- Visit to the Royal Palace and Central Market
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Tan Chau – Long Khanh Island
In Tan Chau, EmeraldPLUS invites you to visit a unique family-owned Lanh My A silk producing factory. Learn more about the long and complicated silk-making process and have a chance to touch the real Lanh My A silk, created with dyes made from the mac nua fruit, originating from Tan Chau silk village around 100 years ago. Board a sampan to Evergreen Island and walk through a local village for a glimpse into the lives of the local farming community.
This afternoon, visit Long Khanh Island, known for its scarf weaving and Hoa Hao Buddhist pagoda. After anchoring for the night near An long, you’ll be delighted by a traditional Lion Dance performance on board.
EmeraldPLUS -Visit to family-owned Lanh My A silk producing factory
EmeraldPLUS- Lion Dance performance on board
Included Excursion - Visit to Evergreen Island
Included Excursion- Visit to a local scarf-weaving workshop and Hoa Hao Buddhist Pagoda on Long Khanh Island
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - 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.
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.
DiscoverMORE - Tràm Chim National Park with Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary (extra expense)
EmeraldPLUS -Visit to My An Hung village
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Sa Dec - Cai Be
Visit Sa Dec on a walking tour, with stops at the Chinese Congregational House in Kien An Cung, 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.
Included Excursion -A visit to the Chinese Congregational House and the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - 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 vista’s 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.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Ho Chi Minh City Disembarkation
Bid farewell to your Emerald Star-Ship after breakfast this morning and be transferred to the HCMC 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.
Please note: Preview itinerary subject to change.
Meals Included: Breakfast
