River Cruise Itinerary

1. Day 1
   Arrival Ho Chi Minh City

   Thu, May 02, 2024

   Xin Chao and welcome to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, you will be met by your Emerald Cruises representative and transferred to your hotel for your included two-night stay.
    

   Formerly known as Saigon, this is a city with a turbulent and colourful past. Today, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s commercial centre with over eight million inhabitants and four million motorbikes.

   
   Meals: Dinner
2. Day 2
   Ho Chi Minh City

   Fri, May 03, 2024

   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, the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure.

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

   Included Excursion
   A tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels

   DiscoverMORE
   Evening - Saigon street food tour (extra expense)

   DiscoverMORE
   Evening – One night in Saigon (extra expense)

   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
3. Day 3
   Ho Chi Minh City Embarkation

   Sat, May 04, 2024

   After checkout, enjoy a tour of the city, visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera House and Town Hall. Then, visit the Reunification Palace before transferring to the port, where you will board your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, Emerald Harmony. You’ll be welcomed on board by your captain and crew before setting sail towards My Tho in the Mekong Delta.

   This evening, enjoy your first dinner on board with your fellow travellers. Your Cruise Director will conduct a port talk to review the activities and itinerary for the days ahead.

   Included Excursion
   An orientation tour of Ho Chi Minh City

   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4. Day 4
   Ben Tre - Thoi Binh hamlet

   Sun, May 05, 2024

   This morning you will be taken to the Thoi Binh hamlet, a peaceful island on the Mekong Delta near Ben Tre. The Mekong Delta has always been known for its natural beauty of rice paddies, fruit orchards, coconut palm trees, the mangroves along the riverbanks, tiny creeks meandering around the wetland delta and especially the hospitality of locals in remote villages away from the hustle and bustle of big cities.

   Thoi Binh hamlet has been untouched by tourism over the past decades and this excursion would introduce to you the lifestyle of the locals’ fruit plantations and farms of the Mekong Delta.

   Return to Emerald Harmony and sail onwards to Sa Dec, a hidden gem along the river.

   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
5. Day 5
   Sa Dec - My An Hung

   Mon, May 06, 2024

   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 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. Enjoy some local folk singing during the visit.

   EmeraldPLUS
   A visit to My Ang Hung village

   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
6. Day 6
   An Long - Long Khanh Island

   Tue, May 07, 2024

   The morning is yours to enjoy your free time on board or, if you prefer, partake in a DiscoverMORE optional excursion to the 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.

   In the afternoon, embark on a journey to Long Khanh Island, visit a local family to learn about scarf-weaving and visit the Hoa Hao Buddhist Pagoda.Return to Emerald Harmony where, later this evening, you’ll be delighted by a traditional Lion Dance performance on board.

   EmeraldPLUS
   A Lion Dance performance on board

   DiscoverMORE
   A visit to Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary in Tram Chim National Park (extra expense)

   Included Excursion
   A visit to a local scarf-weaving workshop and Hoa Hao Buddhist Pagoda on Long Khanh Island

   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
7. Day 7
   Tan Chau - Vietnam / Cambodia Border Crossing

   Wed, May 08, 2024

   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.Back on board your luxury Star-Ship, cruise to the border between Vietnam and Cambodia.Tonight, celebrate crossing the border with a Cambodian-style family dinner.

   EmeraldPLUS
   A visit to Cao Dai temple, a religion unique to the Mekong Delta

   Included Excursion
   A visit to Evergreen Island and Tan Chau

   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
8. Day 8
   Phnom Penh

   Thu, May 09, 2024

   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. 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. The afternoon is yours to continue exploring, experience one of two DiscoverMORE options or to simply relax on board your Star-Ship. In the evening, you will have a chance to experience an evening remork (or Tuk-Tuk) ride through Phnom Penh to enjoy the city lights.

   EmeraldPLUS
   Phnom Penh by night on a remork (Tuk-Tuk) tour

   Included Excursion
   A visit to the Killing Fields & Toul Sleng Genocide Museum

   DiscoverMORE
   A silk farm tour at Koh Oknha Tei (extra expense)

   DiscoverMORE
   Enjoy a craft beer adventure by remork in Phnom Penh (extra expense)

   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
9. Day 9
   Phnom Penh - Oudong – Koh Khsach Krao

   Fri, May 10, 2024

   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. In the main temple of the Oudong Monastery, receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the temple’s resident monks as part of your EmeraldPLUS excursion. In the afternoon, you will visit the majestic Royal Palace with its gardens and 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 past the lights of Phnom Penh to Koh Khsach Krao.

   EmeraldPLUS
   A traditional Buddhist Monk blessing

   EmeraldPLUS
   A cultural Performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation

   Included Excursion
   A visit to Oudong Monastery

   Included Excursion
   A visit to the Royal Palace and central market

   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
10. Day 10
    Koh Khsach Krao Disembarkation – Siem Reap

    Sat, May 11, 2024

    Disembark Emerald Harmony in the morning and continue by road to Siem Reap for your included three-night stay. En-route to Siem Reap, stop in the spider village of Skol, Kampong Kdei and see the impressive Angkor Bridge.

    This evening, witness the incredible Cambodian Circus, Phare, 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.

    EmeraldPLUS
    The Cambodian Circus, Phare

    
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
11. Day 11
    Siem Reap

    Sun, May 12, 2024

    Today, start with a visit to Angkor Thom. As 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.

    Afterwards, visit the sacred Temple of Ta Prohm, still overgrown by jungle trees, it has been the backdrop for many Hollywood movies.

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

    Included Excursion
    A visit to Angkor Thom

    Included Excursion
    A visit to Ta Prohm Temple

    DiscoverMORE
    Afternoon - A Vespa tour of Siem Reap (extra expense)

    DiscoverMORE
    Evening – Drinks and Canapes in the Rice Field (extra expense)

    DiscoverMORE
    Evening - Sunset Gondola Boat Ride at Bayan (extra expense)

    DiscoverMORE
    Evening - Cambodian Street Food Discovery Tour (extra expense)

    
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
12. Day 12
    Siem Reap

    Mon, May 13, 2024

    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 for you to explore more, to go shopping or to relax at your hotel. And, in the evening, you’ll enjoy your farewell dinner at Satcha Cambodian Handicraft Incubation Center, accompanied by an Apsara dance performance.

    Included Excursion
    A sunrise visit to Angkor Wat

    DiscoverMORE
    A visit to Banteay Srei (extra expense)

    DiscoverMORE
    A visit to Tonlé Sap (extra expense)

    DiscoverMORE
    A culinary tour of Cambodia (extra expense)

    
    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
13. Day 13
    Depart Siem Reap

    Tue, May 14, 2024

    After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to the 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.

    
    Meals: Breakfast

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