Below itinerary is based on Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City departure and is also available in vice versa direction. 

Day 1 -Arrive 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.

Day 2 - Siem Reap

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 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 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: Evening – Sunset Drinks Gondola Boat at Bayon (extra expense)

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

DiscoverMORE: Dinner at Phare Circus (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

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. This afternoon is free time to visit the town and markets or try a DiscoverMORE tour, before enjoying dinner accompanied, as part of EmeraldPLUS programme, by an Apsara dance performance.

EmeraldPLUS: Apsara dance and dinner show

Included Excursion: Sunrise visit to Angkor Wat

DiscoverMORE: Vespa tour of Siem Reap (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE: A visit to Banteay Srei & Apopo Visitor Centre (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE: A visit to Tonlé Sap (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE: Khmer Cooking Class (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE: Senteurs d’Angkor Workshop (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 - Siem Reap - Prek K’Dam - 7 Night Mekong Cruise

Today, leave Siem Reap and venture to Prek K’Dam 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 Kampong Tralach whilst you enjoy your first dinner on board with your fellow guests.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 - Kampong Tralach - Oudong - Phnom Penh

Begin the day with an Ox Cart ride in Kampong Tralach to a local temple before driving to Oudong. Oudong was Cambodia’s former royal capital until it relocated to Phnom Penh in 1866. In Oudong Monastery’s main temple, receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the resident monks, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience.

Return to Emerald Harmony and sail to Phnom Penh. Spend the afternoon at leisure, either experiencing one of our DiscoverMORE excursions, visiting the Central Market, or relaxing on board. After dinner, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy Phnom Penh by night on a remork (local Tuk-Tuk) tour.

EmeraldPLUS: A traditional Buddhist Monk blessing

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

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

DiscoverMORE: Craft Beer Adventure by remork (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 - Phnom Penh

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 programme, 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 Organisation

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

Included Excursion: A visit to the Royal Palace and Central Market

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 - Cross Vietnam/Cambodia border - Tan Chau - An Long

Cross the border then sail to Tan Chau. Relax on board this morning or join our DiscoverMORE tour of Tra Su Bird Sanctuary.

This afternoon, 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 before returning to Emerald Harmony.

This evening as part of our EmeraldPLUS, programme, you’ll be delighted by a traditional Lion Dance performance on board.

EmeraldPLUS: A visit to a local Cao Dai Temple

EmeraldPLUS: A Lion Dance performance on board

Included Excursion: A visit to Evergreen Island

Included Excursion: Experience a Xe Loi ride, unique to the Mekong Delta

DiscoverMORE: A visit to Tra Su Bird Sanctuary (extra expense)

Day 8 - Gieng Island - My An Hung

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

Included Excursion: A visit to My An Hung village and its Monkey Bridge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 - Sa Dec - Cai Be

After a short ride on a sampan to Sa Dec, enjoy a walking tour around town. Stops include 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 to learn how coconut candy and other local sweets are made, then then tour Tan Phong islet by electric buggy, visiting a fruit garden to try the diverse fruits of the Mekong and a water hyacinth weaving workshop.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 -My Tho - Ho Chi Minh City

After sailing from My Tho leave the Mekong Delta and enter the Cho Gao Canal. This canal is considered one of Vietnam's 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)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 -Ho Chi Minh City 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 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

DiscoverMORE: An evening Saigon Street Food walking tour (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE: One Night in Saigon (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

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. Tonight, enjoy your farewell dinner with your fellow guests.

Included Excursion: An orientation tour of Ho Chi Minh City

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13 - Depart 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.

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Departs: Multiple departure dates in 2025 & 2026

*Advertised price is based on 23 April 2025 departure and is subject to change based on availability. Prices correct as at 22 January 2025.

Please enquire with your RAC consultant for current availability and pricing.

February 2025

*Advertised price based on journey EWVS departing 23 April 2025 in an D Category Stateroom. Advertised price based on Pay in Full: Dollar Discount and includes maximum saving amount. Full payment is due at time of booking. Surcharges may apply on credit card transactions. Prices, dates, taxes & availability correct at 22 January 2025 & subject to change.

^Maximum Super Earlybird saving included in advertised price. River Cruising Super Earlybird offers must be paid in full 10 months prior to departure. Super Earlybird offer is subject to availability. All bookings are subject to Emerald Cruises terms and conditions. Please check with your RAC travel consultant for details.

RAC Travel general terms and conditions apply.