Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong: 15 days Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap

Xin Chao and welcome to Ho Chi Minh City! On arrival, you will be met by your Emerald Cruises representative and transferred to the Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers or similar, situated in downtown District 1, for a two-night stay. After checking in, you will be free to explore the city before meeting your tour director for your welcome briefing and dinner at a local restaurant.

Drive away from Ho Chi Minh City 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, enjoy a Pho (noodle soup) lunch with the remainder of the afternoon and evening yours to enjoy at leisure or venture out on one of our DiscoverMORE excursions.

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.

DiscoverMORE
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: 1.5 hours

DiscoverMORE
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

After checkout, enjoy a guided city tour, visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera House and Town Hall. Then, visit the Reunification Palace before transferring to the Saigon 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 down the Saigon River to Cho Gao Canal where you will anchor for the night. 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: 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.

This morning, you’ll cruise through the bustling Cho Gao Canal, one of the major arterial canals of Vietnam connecting Tien Giang Province in the Mekong Delta with Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll find this a fascinating sight, observing the heavy commercial traffic navigate this important waterway, where upwards of 1,800 vessels transit each day. During your morning of relaxation on board, soak up the ever-changing passing scenery, enjoy a refreshing dip in the infinity pool, or indulge in a spa treatment (at additional cost).

Once on the Mekong River, this afternoon you’ll visit the rural Tan My Floating community, followed by a ride through local plantations to visit a mushroom farm, a fruit farm with sampling and a honey farm with local sweets. Later, you’ll cruise onwards to Sa Ðéc, a Mekong Delta hidden gem. 

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.

This morning is a leisurely cruise to Sa Ðéc.

Later this afternoon, take a short ride on a sampan to 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.

Afterwards return to Emerald Harmony by sampan to anchor for the night.

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.

After a short sail with breakfast, transfer ashore by sampan to explore the village life on My An Hung Island. Recognised as a cultural and historical destination, this small village in rural Vietnam specialises in red-hot chilli and peppers. For today’s EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy some local folk singing during the visit to this charming riverine community.

After returning to Emerald Harmony, enjoy an afternoon cruise to Gieng Island.

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.

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.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure on board as we cruise to Tan Chau. Upon arrival and for today’s EmeraldPLUS experience, delight in a traditional Lion Dance performance on the Sun Deck of Emerald Harmony.

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.

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 local village, affording an insightful glimpse into the ‘Delta farming community'. You’ll then reboard your sampan returning to Tan Chau for a visit to 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. Back on board your Emerald Star-Ship, you’ll cruise towards the border between Vietnam and Cambodia.

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.

Welcome to Cambodia. Today, you’ll awake in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Known as the ‘Pearl of Asia’ during the French Indochina-era, this city was almost entirely evacuated by the Khmer Rouge regime in 1975. This morning, 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 an evening remork (local Tuk-Tuk) excursion through Phnom Penh, admiring the glittering city lights.

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
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.

DiscoverMORE
Koh Oknha Tei and Silk Farm Discovery (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 silk worm, 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

DiscoverMORE
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

DiscoverMORE
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

In the morning visit the majestic Royal Palace, captivating with its French-inspired gardens and Silver Pagoda. Once back on board, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, you’ll enjoy a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation. After lunch set sail from Phnom Penh and enjoy an afternoon of relaxed cruising as you continue further up the Mekong River to Angkor Ban.

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
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.

In Angkor Ban, explore its historical rural wooden houses which survived the Khmer Rouge. In the village temple, partake in an alm’s ceremony, learn how to pray in a Buddhist pagoda and receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the temple’s resident monks from as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience. Afterwards set sail to your final destination, Peam Chi Korng located further upstream on the Mekong River.

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 Mekong River region.

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.

Disembark Emerald Harmony in the morning and continue by road to Siem Reap for your included three-night stay. Stay at the beautiful Shinta Mani or similar, a deluxe boutique property of world-class design that takes great care in honouring the environment and paying homage to the traditional and local aesthetics.

This evening, for your EmeraldPLUS experience, you’re invited to Phare, The Cambodian Circus, where a combination of acrobatics, music and dance tell a uniquely Cambodian story. Enjoy a special Emerald DiscoverMORE dinner while attending the circus, to further support Phare’s work.

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.

DiscoverMORE
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

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 is free to visit ‘Pub Street’ or try a DiscoverMORE option.

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.

DiscoverMORE
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

DiscoverMORE
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

Witness a mesmerising sunrise over Angkor Wat. Afterwards, walk through this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, renowned for its intricate carvings. This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure to explore the town, or join a DiscoverMORE excursion. Later, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy an immersive evening and farewell dinner, accompanied by an Apsara dance performance.

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.

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.

DiscoverMORE
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

DiscoverMORE
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

DiscoverMORE
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

DiscoverMORE
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

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

Rivers and waterways are subject to variations in water levels. 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.