Grand Tour of Vietnam & Cambodia: 23 days Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Xin Chao and welcome to Vietnam. On arrival in the capital, Hanoi, you’ll be transferred to the city and the Anatole Hotel or similar for your included one-night stay. Relax at the hotel, explore the historic streets of this ancient city, or take a stroll with the locals around wander Hanoi’s romantic Hoàn Kiem Lake. This evening, you’ll meet your Tour Director for your Welcome Dinner and briefing for the exciting days ahead.

This morning after breakfast, you’ll leave Hanoi and travel to UNESCO World Heritage-listed Halong Bay where you’ll board your elegant Au Co cruise ship. Cruise through the bays, passing countless limestone Karst islets and soak up the magnificent scenery of one of the most spectacular natural wonders in Asia. Enjoy the immersive experiences available on board, learn more about the key local livelihoods of the region, or simply choose to relax. Towards the end of the day, the ship will anchor for the night in the Trinh Nu area among breathtaking karst formations, where dinner will be served on board.  

Included Excursion
Two-night Halong Bay cruise on the elegant Au Co cruise ship: Sail through the limestone seascapes of Ha Long Bay on board the elegant Au Co. Discover forested islets and quiet coves as the bay’s dramatic karst formations unfold around you, combining immersive scenery with the relaxed atmosphere of cruising this World Heritage-listed landscape.

Today, continue cruising deeper into the region’s more untouched areas bound for serene Lan Ha Bay. From a smaller boat, enjoy swimming on secluded quiet coves and kayaking in Ho Ba Ham Lake. Later, you’ll pay a visit to Cua Van fishing village, which is reached by rowing boat. Spend the day at this charming community and enjoy a unique glimpse into the traditional life of Vietnamese fishermen and the surrounding natural beauty. Afterwards, you’ll return to your cruise ship and following dinner, can try your hand at squid fishing on board with the crew.

Enjoy the sunrise and breakfast. Then cruise through breathtaking rock formations and visit Sung Sot Cave, before arriving back at port for your transfer to Hanoi.

On arrival back in Hanoi, you’ll visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter also known as the ‘36 Streets’. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It's a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities. Visit Hang Be Market, also located in the Old Quarter, before enjoying a walk around Hoàn Kiem Lake located in central Hanoi. Here walk across the red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple located on the Jade Islet within the lake.

Later, choose to enjoy an optional traditional water puppet show, a unique North Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of historical significance As part of EmeraldPLUS, you'll enjoy dinner at KOTO (Know One Teach One), a unique restaurant set up to train and educate disadvantaged children.

EmeraldPLUS
Dinner at KOTO Restaurant: Dine at KOTO Restaurant, a Hanoi social enterprise that supports young people through hospitality training. Enjoy Vietnamese cuisine in a welcoming setting while learning how the organisation creates opportunities for its students and helps build brighter futures.

Included Excursion
Hanoi’s Old Quarter: Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where narrow streets and traditional shopfronts reveal the city’s enduring character. Wander amid bustling markets, fragrant food stalls and historic temples, discovering a lively blend of local life, centuries-old trading traditions and Vietnamese culture.

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Water Puppets with Backstage Pass (extra expense)
Enjoy a Hanoi Water Puppet performance, a centuries old cultural specialty of North Vietnam. Unlock its secrets with a special backstage pass to meet and interact with the puppeteers.
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 1.5 hours

Begin your morning city tour and learn about ‘Uncle Ho’, Ho Chi Minh, regarded as the father of modern Vietnam. Admire the exterior of his imposing mausoleum, before continuing to the Ho Chi Minh Quarter to glimpse his humble stilt house and the small but iconic One Pillar Pagoda. Then explore the nearby Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university established to educate Vietnam’s royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years, and its charming gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into the nation’s storied past.

Bid farewell to Hanoi and transfer to Hanoi airport to board your flight to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. This evening, for your EmeraldPLUS experience, savour a traditional Vietnamese royal dinner menu.

EmeraldPLUS
A traditional Vietnamese royal dinner at a local restaurant: Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese royal dinner, inspired by the refined culinary traditions of Vietnam’s imperial courts. Savour beautifully presented regional dishes in an elegant local setting, where time-honoured flavours and gracious hospitality create a memorable cultural dining experience.

Included Excursion
Hanoi’s City Tour, including the Temple of Literature: Discover Hanoi’s layered history and everyday energy on a city tour that introduces its cultural landmarks and streetscapes. Visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university, where tranquil courtyards, pavilions and stone stelae reflect centuries of scholarly tradition.

This morning you will visit the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Enjoy a relaxing cyclo (bicycle-style rickshaw) ride from Dai Noi ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to go to relax. Leaving Hue for Hoi An, drive past the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co and up and over Hai Vân Pass, known as the Ocean Clouds Pass before dropping down to Danang and then Hoi An. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your resort for your included three-night stay. Tonight join a DiscoverMORE excursion.

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Hoi An Memories Show (extra expense)
With your VIP seats, travel through the history of Hoi An at the Hoi An Memories Show. Featuring more than 500 actors and dancers performing 400 years of history on a 25,000 square metre outdoor stage you’ll be mesmerised at the scale and theatre of the 70-minute show.

Included Excursion
Cyclo ride from Dai Noi ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake: Ride by cyclo from Hue’s Dai Noi, the former Imperial City, to peaceful Tinh Tam Lake. Pass historic streets and imperial-era landmarks, then admire the lake’s calm waters, once celebrated by Nguyen emperors for its lotus blooms and tranquil setting.

Included Excursion
Included Excursion
A visit to the Imperial Citadel: Explore Hue’s Imperial Citadel, the former seat of the Nguyen Dynasty. Walk through grand gates, palace courtyards and ceremonial halls, where ornate details and enduring architecture reveal the power, artistry and royal traditions of Vietnam’s last imperial era.

Today, start with our EmeraldPLUS visit to the Reaching Out Project. Reaching Out is an NGO (non-governmental organisation) established in 2000, which provides opportunities for people with disabilities to learn skills and gain meaningful employment. Visit the workshop and get a glimpse of how this NGO helps them to integrate fully with their communities and lead independent and fulfilling lives. After, enjoy a walking tour of Hoi An and see the old merchant’s houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Assembly Hall of the Chinese Congregation. Tonight, after a dinner menu sampling the local style street food, the evening is yours free to wander the historical lantern lit streets and their many shops or bars.

EmeraldPLUS
Reaching Out Project: Visit the Reaching Out Project, a social enterprise supporting people with disabilities through vocational training and employment. Meet the artisans behind its handcrafted products and discover how traditional skills and creativity foster independence, confidence and meaningful connection within Hoi An’s community.

Included Excursion
A walking tour of Hoi An: Stroll through Hoi An’s atmospheric old town, where lantern-lined streets, wooden merchant houses and bustling market stalls reveal centuries of trading history. Admire the Japanese Covered Bridge and elegant Chinese assembly halls, then absorb the distinctive blend of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences that shapes this World Heritage-listed town.

Enjoy a day of leisure to explore Hoi An and its surroundings. Perhaps take the time to explore the Old Town and visit one of the many tailors Hoi An is known for, or take a cyclo (bicycle style rickshaw) to An Bang Beach. Alternatively venture out on one of our DiscoverMORE excursions. The choice is yours.

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My Son Historic Kingdom Tour (extra expense)
Today, you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed ruins of My Son Here you will learn about the Cham culture, its rulers and their impressive reign. Take a moment to soak up the atmosphere and imagine what My Son was like in its heyday.
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 3.5 hours

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Hoi An Rural Life (extra expense)
Head into the tranquil countryside for an unforgettable Hoi An cycling tour. Discover unknown regions of Hoi An, from ancient temples and water coconut forests to communal organic gardens — where you can help out with the local work! Paddle to lunch in a traditional basket boat before being rewarded with a delicious local feast.
Activity Level: Active, Duration: 6.5 hours

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Red Bridge Cooking Class (extra expense)
Indulge in the wonderful flavours of Vietnamese cooking during a hands-on cooking class at the Red Bridge Cooking School. After buying your ingredients at Hoi An’s morning market with your chef, take their boat along the Thu Bon River to the school, walk through the herb garden, then indulge in a hands-on cooking class and self-made lunch.
Activity Level: Easy, Duration: 3.5 hours

Today, transfer to Danang airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Sous Sdei and welcome to Cambodia. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for your included three-night stay.   The beautiful Shinta Mani Hotel, a deluxe boutique property of world-class design, which takes great care in honouring the environment and paying homage to the traditional and local aesthetics. In the evening, you’ll meet your Cambodian tour director to learn more about the exciting days that lie ahead. 

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 afternoon is free time to visit the 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: Experience Phare Circus, where theatre, music, dance and contemporary circus arts bring Cambodian stories to life. Performed by young artists from Phare Ponleu Selpak’s vocational training centre, each show explores the country’s history, folklore and contemporary life with energy and heart.

Included Excursion
Visit to Angkor Thom: Explore Angkor Thom, the last great capital of the Khmer Empire. Enter through its monumental gates and discover the Bayon Temple, renowned for its serene stone faces, alongside the Terrace of the Elephants. Ancient carvings and towering ruins reveal the scale and artistry of Cambodia’s imperial past.

Included Excursion
Visit to Ta Prohm Temple: Explore Ta Prohm, where ancient stone corridors and carved towers are entwined with towering tree roots. Built during the Khmer Empire, this atmospheric temple blends intricate architecture with the surrounding jungle, creating one of Angkor’s most evocative and distinctive settings.

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Evening – Local Fare at Phare Circus (extra expense)
Between Phare Boutique and the big top, you will discover Phare Café, an outdoor local ‘hawker market’ serving drinks, snacks and delicious Asian inspired meals. Start your evening entertainment dining at the Cambodian Street Food Festival. With your voucher grab a table and choose your dinner with drinks from a selection of Cambodian and other Asian specialty food stalls, all whilst enjoying the pre-show performances. By having dinner here you are further supporting the great work and mission of Phare’s social enterprise.
Activity Level: Easy, Duration: 1.5 hours

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Siem Reap Countryside by Vespa (extra expense)
Riding on the back of an iconic and elegant Vespa scooter, this is a tour like no other. This incredible tour will take you in style to the most authentic and fun experiences available in Siem Reap. You will be driven away from the tourists and into the Cambodian countryside where the splendour of these striking surroundings and its local people will let you discover a new side to Cambodia away from the temples. Exotic foods, drinks and experiences will let you experience Khmer life in the way the Khmer people do.
Activity Level: Active, Duration: 3 hours

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Gondola Boat ride at Bayon with drinks (extra expense)
On the moat of Angkor Thom, cruise the waters surrounding the ancient city wall in a private gondola paddle boat. Enjoy the scenery as you sip your sparkling wine and enjoy canapes on a 40-minute paddle out to the southwest corner of the wall. Enjoy the setting sun from your gondola boat before returning back to the South Gate of the city.
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 2.5 hours

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, enjoy free time to explore Siem Reap, or join a DiscoverMORE excursion. Later, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy an immersive evening dinner at Satcha Handicraft Centre, accompanied by an Apsara dance performance.

EmeraldPLUS
Apsara dance performance and dinner show: Experience the grace of Cambodia’s classical Apsara dance, where elegant hand gestures, intricate costumes and live traditional music bring ancient stories to life. This captivating performance celebrates the artistry and enduring cultural heritage of the Khmer people.

Included Excursion
Sunrise visit to Angkor Wat: Watch dawn break over Angkor Wat, as the temple’s iconic towers emerge against the changing sky. Explore the world’s largest religious monument, where detailed bas-reliefs and grand galleries reveal the artistry and spiritual legacy of the Khmer Empire.

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Banteay Srei Temple and APOPO (extra expense)
This afternoon travel to the “gem” of the Angkor area, the pretty temple of Banteay Srei. The so- called “Citadel of the Women” was built between the 11th and 13th century and remains the best preserved temple in Cambodia. It displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art as this small temple is noted for its truly remarkable fine bas-reliefs, depicting Hindu god Shiva. Banteay Srei is unique in that it is constructed of pink sandstone, which is seen nowhere else in Angkor. Continue on to the APOPO visitor centre for an exclusive tour of this fascinating and life-saving organization. Spend up to an hour learning about the devastating impact of explosives that lie buried in the Cambodian countryside and get first-hand experience about this creative solution to the problem.
Activity Level: Active, Duration: 3 hours

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Tonle Sap and Lotus Textiles (extra expense)
Tonle Sap is the largest lake in Southeast Asia as well as a UNESCO Biosphere site due to its ecology and endangered flora and fauna. The lake is of extreme importance to Cambodians who live on it and earn their living from fishing. The uniqueness of this lake lies in the fact that the water feeding it changes directions twice annually. As a result, the lake bottoms out during the dry season but can then swell by over 10 meters in the rainy season. You will have the unique opportunity to visit some of the local floating villages located on the lake and experience the lifestyle of these inhabitants. Before returning to your hotel, visit a local Cambodian handicraft factory, Samato Lotus Textiles to see how many products can be made from the flower of the Lotus.
Activity Level: Active, Duration: 3.5 hours

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Khmer Village Cooking Class (extra expense)
Uncover the secrets of Khmer cuisine with a hands-on Siem Reap cooking class. Join a chef to prepare the meal step by step, from buying the ingredients at a local market, to cooking them up in a traditional village kitchen. Taste delicious dishes and embrace the local culture throughout the experience.
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 3 hours

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Senteurs d’Angkor Workshop (extra expense)
Visit this Botanical garden to learn all about Cambodia’s herbs, spices and fruits and see locals at work in workshops dedicated to the preservation of the arts and crafts of Cambodia. Through the different workshop stations, be guided by the scents and flavours of Cambodia as local artisans make by hand soap with coconut oil, natural cosmetics, subtly scented balms, aromatic candles and also their packaging called “smok” and “krebei riel” boxes. Try your hand at making your own lip balm and packaging to take home as a keepsake.
Activity Level: Easy,  Duration: 3.5 hours

Today, leave Siem Reap and venture to the town of Peam Chi Korng to embark your Emerald Cruises award-winning Star-Ship Emerald Harmony. 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 you’ll set sail for Angkor Ban while enjoying your first dinner on board.

In historic Angkor Ban, visit the rural wooden houses that survived the Khmer Rouge. In the village, you’ll learn how to pray in a Buddhist pagoda and receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the resident monks, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience.

Afterwards, set sail for Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Known as the ‘Pearl of Asia,’ this city was almost entirely evacuated by the Khmer Rouge in 1975. Later, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy an evening remork ride through Phnom Penh, admiring the glittering city lights.

Included Excursion
Walk around the historical village of Angkor Ban: Stroll through Angkor Ban, one of Cambodia’s best-preserved traditional villages. Wooden stilt houses, shady gardens and quiet lanes offer a glimpse of rural life, while encounters with local residents reveal enduring customs and the warm community spirit of the Khmer countryside.

EmeraldPLUS
A traditional Buddhist Monk blessing: Receive a traditional blessing from a Buddhist monk in a local pagoda. Learn how to pray and take part in a meaningful ceremony that supports the resident monks’ daily meal, gaining a respectful insight into Cambodian spiritual traditions.

EmeraldPLUS
Phnom Penh by night on a remork (Tuk-Tuk) tour: See Phnom Penh after dark from a traditional remork, Cambodia’s tuk-tuk. Travel through lively streets and past illuminated landmarks, taking in the capital’s changing rhythm as markets, cafés and evening gatherings bring the city to life.

Today, you’ll learn about the Khmer Rouge and the darkest days of Cambodia’s history. A short drive takes you to the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek, where you can stroll through the fields and visit the memorial, understanding more about the country’s sombre chapter. Afterwards, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (infamously known as ‘S-21’), a former school converted to the Khmer Rouge’s main prison and torture headquarters. Spend the afternoon as you please, either joining one of our Emerald DiscoverMORE excursions, visiting the Central Market located at in the heart of Phnom Penh, or simply relaxing on board Emerald Harmony.

This evening, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, you’ll enjoy a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation.

Included Excursion
Killing Fields at Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: Visit the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum for a respectful insight into Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge era. Reflect among the memorials at Choeung Ek, then explore the former S-21 prison, bearing witness to those who suffered during this devastating period.

EmeraldPLUS
Cultural Performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation: Enjoy an engaging performance by young Cambodian artists, where traditional music and dance share stories of the country’s cultural heritage. Colourful costumes, graceful movements and live melodies create an uplifting celebration of Cambodia’s enduring artistic traditions.

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A silk farm tour at Koh Oknha Tei (extra expense)
Board a ferry boat and cross the Mekong River to Koh Oknha Tei Island. Travel by tuk-tuk through the local villages and learn about the farmers lives with a stop at a villager’s house for some local fruit tasting. Continue to Chamka Snae Silk Craft where you can witness the entire process of silk creation, through the life cycle of the silkworm, to the harvesting of the silk cocoons and the creation of beautiful silk weavings on wooden hand looms. Best of all, you may find a lovely handmade souvenir of what you saw being created.
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 2.5 hours

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Craft Beer Adventure by remork (extra expense)
Travelling around Phnom Penh by local remork, visit a couple of local breweries to enjoy a tour of their facilities, and of course, some samples of their craft and local pub grub. Try tasting boards of some of Cambodia’s best–selling craft beers to determine which is your favourite to try again! The tour includes lively visits to an underground brewery, cosy beer gardens, personal brewery tours with the brewers, when available, giving you the opportunity to mix with the locals and expats at their favourite hangouts.
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 2.5 hours

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Samai Distillery (extra expense)
Embark on an immersive journey through the art of rum-making at Samai, Cambodia’s first premium rum distillery. Delve into the meticulous process behind creating handcrafted local rums, each one a testament to the unique flavour profiles and character derived from Cambodia’s rich terroir and natural resources. Engage your senses as you explore the raw materials, savour signature rum tastings, and uncover the secrets of crafting creative rum cocktails. Elevate your experience and skills with a hands-on bartending techniques training session led by an expert mixologist, where you’ll create your own cocktails. Then, immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the free-flow bar, accompanied by Latin music and a selection of cold cuts, as you soak in the ambiance before returning to the ship.
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 2.5 hours

This morning, you’ll visit the majestic Royal Palace with its French-inspired gardens and Silver Pagoda.

After returning on board and enjoying a Cambodian Street Fair lunch, enjoy a relaxed afternoon of cruising as you move onwards to the Cambodian and Vietnam border. Upon entering Vietnam, you’ll cruise to Tan Chau.

Later this evening, for your EmeraldPLUS experience, you’ll delight in a traditional Lion Dance performance on board.

Included Excursion
Visit to the Royal Palace: Explore Phnom Penh’s Royal Palace, the ceremonial residence of Cambodia’s monarchy. Admire its ornate Khmer architecture, gilded roofs and elegant courtyards, then visit the Silver Pagoda, home to treasured Buddhist artworks. This striking complex offers a vivid introduction to Cambodia’s royal traditions and spiritual heritage.

EmeraldPLUS
Lion Dance on board: Enjoy a traditional lion dance performed by young artists from rural Vietnam. Colourful lions, dragons and unicorns move to the rhythmic sound of drums, cymbals and gongs in a vibrant performance believed to ward off evil spirits and welcome good fortune.

In Tan Chau, embark on a sampan ride to Evergreen Island for a walk through a Mekong Delta farming village. Reboard your sampan to travel back to Tan Chau for a visit a local Cao Dai Temple. Cao Dai is a syncretic, monotheistic religion established in Tây Ninh, Southern Vietnam, in 1926. At the temple, you can learn more about the hybrid of philosophies that form the basis of this fascinating and complex religion. Afterwards, take a ride in a Xe Loi, a local form of Cyclo, unique to the Mekong Delta, back to your sampan and return to Emerald Harmony.

Included Excursion
A visit to Evergreen Island: Explore Evergreen Island, where peaceful waterways and lush landscapes reveal the rhythms of Mekong Delta life. Wander through rural lanes and meet local residents, discovering everyday traditions shaped by the island’s close connection to the river.

Included Excursion
Local Cao Dai Temple and Xe Loi ride: Visit a local Cao Dai Temple to discover the distinctive beliefs and vivid symbolism of this Vietnamese faith. Then ride by xe lôi, a traditional form of transport unique to the Mekong Delta, along rural lanes framed by everyday village life and verdant landscapes.

This morning, sail to Gieng Island. Locally known as ‘Mango Island,’ Cu Lao Gieng is a small, picturesque island untouched by tourism, located along the upper Mekong River. Travel by local motorcycle rickshaw through the island’s villages to visit families who work in various local industries, including mango farming, various types of boat construction and a factory that produces temple incense sticks.

Afterwards, reboard Emerald Harmony and sail to My An Hung Island.

Included Excursion
Local industries on Gieng Island: Discover the local industries of Gieng Island, where skilled artisans preserve traditional livelihoods passed down through generations. Visit family-run workshops to see the work behind handmade crafts and local produce, gaining an engaging insight into the island’s resourceful community and enduring traditions.

Recognised as a cultural and historical destination, this small Delta village specialises in cultivating red-hot chilli. As part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy local folk singing, wander through coconut farms and immerse yourself in traditional village life.

Return to Emerald Harmony and, after lunch on board, you’ll arrive in Sa Ðéc, a delightful old provincial city in the heart of the Mekong Delta. Enjoy a walking tour around town with a visit to the home of local resident, Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, who inspired Marguerite Duras’ novel L’Amant (‘The Lover,’), and the town’s bustling central market to peruse its varied produce.

Included Excursion
Mr. Huynh Thuy Le and bustling Sa Ðéc: Discover the lively Mekong town of Sa Ðéc, where colourful market stalls and riverside streets reveal everyday local life. Visit the former home of Huynh Thuy Le, whose romance with French novelist Marguerite Duras inspired The Lover, and explore its blend of Chinese, French and Vietnamese architectural influences.

Included Excursion
My An Hung Village: Step into everyday life in My An Hung, a rural village in the Mekong Delta. Discover traditional Vietnamese customs through local crafts and cultural performances, meet residents and experience the warmth of a community where time-honoured traditions remain part of daily life.

EmeraldPLUS
Listen to local folk singing in My An Hung: In My An Hung, listen to local folk singing that brings the village’s cultural traditions to life. The gentle melodies and shared performance offer a warm insight into the community’s heritage and everyday spirit.

After a relaxing morning cruising, this afternoon you’ll visit Tan My Floating community in Ben Tre.  Take a ride on a buggy through the local plantations to visit a mushroom farm, a fruit farm with sampling and a honey farm with local sweets. Later, you’ll reboard Emerald Harmony before sailing on to My Tho.

Included Excursion
Visit the Thoi Binh hamlet and its authentic farming and fishing communities: Discover Thoi Binh hamlet, where farming and fishing shape the rhythm of daily life. Meet local residents and gain an insight into the traditional practices that sustain this Mekong Delta community, surrounded by peaceful waterways and rural landscapes.

From My Tho, you’ll enter the Cho Gao Canal, considered one of Vietnam’s major arterial canals that connects the Mekong Delta’s Tien Giang Province with Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll find it fascinating to watch the heavy commercial traffic navigate this important waterway, which sees upwards of 1,800 vessels transit each day. During your day of relaxation on board, soak up the everchanging passing scenery, enjoy a dip in the infinity pool, or indulge in a spa treatment (at additional cost). Tonight, you’ll dock in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, where you can admire the city lights; due to Vietnamese customs regulations, you'll not be permitted to venture ashore.

After 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, enjoy a traditional Pho (noodle soup) lunch then check in to the Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers for your included two-night stay. Tonight join a DiscoverMORE excursion.

Included Excursion
Cu Chi Tunnels: Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, an extensive underground network used during the Vietnam War. Learn how Vietnamese fighters lived and moved through this complex system, gaining a powerful insight into the ingenuity, resilience and human experience shaped by the conflict.

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Dinner and show at Chào Vietnam: A Cultural Symphony (extra expense)
Also known as the "The Sound of Vietnam” Chào Show is a multi-sensory 90 minute live cultural performance that blends traditional Vietnamese music with modern stage technology and traditional Vietnamese dishes.
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 2 hours

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Saigon After Dark by Vintage Jeep (extra expense)
Ho Chi Minh City shines at night and there is no better way to see and taste the street food of Vietnam’s commercial centre than by a vintage US Army Jeep. Try local street food at local restaurants with drinks, visit the night flower market and conclude the evening with a visit to a rooftop bar to enjoy a panoramic view of the city for a final nightcap.
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 4 hours

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 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: Discover Ho Chi Minh City’s dynamic blend of French colonial architecture, Vietnamese heritage and modern energy. Explore its lively streets and landmark buildings, gaining an engaging introduction to the city’s history, culture and everyday rhythm.

After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to the Ho Chi Minh City airport to catch your onward or homebound flight.

While every effort is made to adhere to the planned itinerary, changes in river conditions, ad hoc local government regulations or local festivities may require journey modifications. These will be made based on the advice of local authorities or for safety reasons. Hotels are indicative and are subject to change.