Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
You'll arrive in Hanoi and get transferred downtown to your hotel for the night. The day is yours to settle in, relax, or take a walk around West Lake if you're feeling energized. Your tour director will meet you this evening to go over what's coming up on the trip.
Included Activities
- Hotel transfer in Hanoi
Optional Activities
- Explore Hanoi city
- Wander West Lake
Landmarks West Lake - Day 2
Hanoi to Halong Bay
After breakfast, you're heading to Halong Bay where you'll board the Au Co cruise ship. The day involves sailing through the bays and limestone islets with optional activities available on the ship. By evening, the ship anchors near the Trinh Nu area surrounded by karst formations, and you'll have dinner on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner served on board)
Included Activities
- Two-night Halong Bay cruise on Au Co cruise ship
- Cruise through bays and islets
Optional Activities
- Onboard tours
- Learn about local livelihoods
Landmarks Halong Bay Trinh Nu area 
- Day 3
Lan Ha Bay
You'll continue sailing toward Lan Ha Bay, switching to a smaller boat for swimming at quiet beaches and kayaking in Ho Ba Ham Lake. There's a rowing boat visit to Cua Van fishing village in the mix. After all that exploring, you return to the cruise ship for dinner and can try squid fishing if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner served on board)
Included Activities
- Sailing to Lan Ha Bay
- Swimming on quiet beaches
- Kayaking in Ho Ba Ham Lake
- Visit Cua Van fishing village by rowing boat
- Squid fishing
Landmarks Lan Ha Bay Ho Ba Ham Lake Cua Van fishing village 
- Day 4
Halong Bay to Hanoi
You catch the sunrise and have breakfast, then cruise past rock formations to visit Sung Sot Cave. After that, you head back to port and transfer to Hanoi's Old Quarter. You'll walk through the famous 36 Streets, check out Hang Be Market, wander around Hoan Kiem Lake, and visit Ngoc Son Temple. This evening brings a traditional water puppet show followed by dinner at KOTO Restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at KOTO (Know One Teach One) Restaurant)
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing
- Cruise through rock formations
- Visit Sung Sot Cave
- Visit Hanoi's Old Quarter ('36 Streets')
- Visit Hang Be Market
- Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake
- Cross red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple
- Traditional water puppet show
- Dinner at KOTO Restaurant (EmeraldPLUS)
Landmarks Sung Sot Cave Hanoi Old Quarter Hang Be Market Hoan Kiem Lake Ngoc Son Temple - Day 5
Hanoi to Hoi An
Your morning includes a city tour covering Ho Chi Minh's life and Vietnam's history, seeing the mausoleum exterior, his stilt house, and the One Pillar Pagoda. You'll also tour the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university. Later, you fly to Da Nang and transfer to your hotel in Hoi An for a three-night stay. An optional evening excursion is available if you want to get out.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hanoi city tour including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum exterior
- Ho Chi Minh stilt house visit
- One Pillar Pagoda visit
- Temple of Literature visit
- Flight to Da Nang (Hoi An)
- Hotel transfer in Hoi An
Optional Activities
- Hoi An Memories Show (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Ho Chi Minh Stilt House One Pillar Pagoda Temple of Literature 
- Day 6
Hoi An
You start at the Reaching Out Project, an NGO supporting people with disabilities. Then you walk through Hoi An's old streets, seeing merchant houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge, and the Assembly Hall of the Chinese Congregation. After dinner with local street food, the evening is free to wander the lantern-lit streets and explore whatever catches your eye.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner sampling local style street food)
Included Activities
- Reaching Out Project visit (EmeraldPLUS)
- Walking tour of Hoi An
- Visit old merchant houses
- Visit Japanese Covered Bridge
- Visit Assembly Hall of the Chinese Congregation
- Dinner sampling local street food
Landmarks Reaching Out Project Hoi An Old Town Japanese Covered Bridge Assembly Hall of the Chinese Congregation 
- Day 7
Hoi An
This day is completely yours to spend however you like in Hoi An and the surrounding area. You might visit tailors in the Old Town, take a cyclo to An Bang Beach, or join optional tours to My Son Historic Kingdom, experience rural village life, see Ba Na Hills with the Golden Hands Bridge, or take a sunset cruise on Thu Bon River.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Old Town independently
- Visit local tailors
- Cyclo ride to An Bang Beach
- My Son Historic Kingdom Tour (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Hoi An Rural Life (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Ba Na Hills & Golden Hands Bridge (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Thu Bon River Sunset Cruise (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks Hoi An Old Town An Bang Beach My Son Historic Kingdom Ba Na Hills Golden Hands Bridge Thu Bon River - Day 8
Hoi An to Hue
You leave Hoi An heading to Hue, the former imperial capital. The route goes through Danang and over the scenic Hai Van Pass before passing through the fishing village of Lang Co. You'll visit the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled, take a cyclo ride to Tinh Tam Lake, and boat to Thien Mu Pagoda. Check-in happens at your hotel followed by a traditional Vietnamese royal dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional Vietnamese royal dinner)
Included Activities
- Travel through Hai Van Pass
- Visit Imperial Citadel
- Cyclo ride from Dai Noi to Tinh Tam Lake
- Boat tour on Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda
- Traditional Vietnamese royal dinner (EmeraldPLUS)
Landmarks Hai Van Pass Lang Co Imperial Citadel Tinh Tam Lake Thien Mu Pagoda Perfume River 
- Day 9
Hue to Ho Chi Minh City
You transfer to Hue airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). After checking into your hotel, the rest of the day is open for you to explore the city at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight to Ho Chi Minh City
- Hotel check-in
Optional Activities
- Explore Ho Chi Minh City
- Day 10
Cu Chi Tunnels
You're heading out from Ho Chi Minh City toward Cu Chi Tunnels, passing through rice paddies and local villages. A couple of hours with a guide gets you familiar with the historical site and its rugged terrain. Back in the city, you'll grab Pho for lunch, then the afternoon and evening are free to explore or take an optional excursion.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Pho (noodle soup))
Included Activities
- Cu Chi Tunnels visit with local guide
- Pho lunch
Optional Activities
- Evening Saigon Street Food walking tour (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- One Night in Saigon (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 11
Ho Chi Minh City to Emerald Harmony
After checking out, you take a guided city tour hitting Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House, and Town Hall, plus the Reunification Palace. Later you head to port and board the Emerald Harmony cruise ship for your journey down the Saigon River to Cho Gao canal. Dinner on board connects you with fellow travelers while your Cruise Director gives you details about the days ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner on board with fellow travellers)
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Ho Chi Minh City
- Visit Notre Dame Cathedral
- Visit Opera House
- Visit Town Hall
- Visit Reunification Palace
- Board Emerald Harmony cruise ship
- Dinner on board
Landmarks Notre Dame Cathedral Opera House Town Hall Reunification Palace Saigon River Cho Gao canal - Day 12
Sa Đéc
You cruise through Cho Gao canal, one of Vietnam's main waterways handling around 1,800 vessels daily. After that, you move to the Mekong River and visit Tan My Floating community. You'll ride through local plantations including a mushroom farm, fruit farm with tastings, and honey farm. By evening, you're in Sa Đéc with a special cocktail reception and Chef Chanthy Yen on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Cho Gao canal
- Visit Thoi Binh hamlet farming and fishing communities
- Visit Tan My Floating community
- Visit mushroom farm
- Visit fruit farm with sampling
- Visit honey farm with local sweets
- Evening cocktail reception with Chef Chanthy Yen
Landmarks Cho Gao canal Mekong River Tan My Floating community Thoi Binh hamlet Sa Đéc 
- Day 13
Sa Đéc to My An Hung Island
A short sampan ride takes you to Sa Đéc for a walking tour of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le's home (inspiration for Marguerite Duras' novel) and the town market. You return to Emerald Harmony and sail to My An Hung Island, known for red-hot chilli and famous for its Monkey Bridge. Local folk singing is part of the experience here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sampan ride to Sa Đéc
- Walking tour of Sa Đéc
- Visit Mr. Huynh Thuy Le home
- Visit Sa Đéc central market
- Sampan return to cruise ship
- Visit My An Hung village and Monkey Bridge
- Local folk singing (EmeraldPLUS)
Landmarks Sa Đéc Mr. Huynh Thuy Le home My An Hung Island Monkey Bridge - Day 14
Cu Lao Gieng (Mango Island)
You visit Cu Lao Gieng, called 'Mango Island,' a small scenic spot on the upper Mekong that hasn't seen much tourism. Travel by local motorcycle rickshaw through villages to see mango farming, boat building, and an incense stick factory. The afternoon is free to relax on the ship or join an optional trip to Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary. A Lion Dance performance happens on board this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Motorcycle rickshaw ride through Cu Lao Gieng
- Visit mango farming families
- Visit boat building workshops
- Visit incense stick factory
- Lion Dance performance on board (EmeraldPLUS)
Optional Activities
- Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary visit in Tram Chim National Park (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks Cu Lao Gieng Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary Tram Chim National Park - Day 15
Vietnam-Cambodia Border
You take a sampan to Evergreen Island and walk through a local village to see how the farming community lives. Back in Tan Chau, you visit the Cao Dai Temple to learn about this unique syncretic religion from southern Vietnam. A Xe Loi (local cyclo) takes you back to the sampan before you return to Emerald Harmony. Sailing continues to the Vietnam-Cambodia border with a special Cambodian cooking demonstration by Chef Chanthy Yen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sampan ride to Evergreen Island
- Walk through local village on Evergreen Island
- Sampan return to Tan Chau
- Visit Cao Dai Temple (EmeraldPLUS)
- Xe Loi ride in Tan Chau
- Sail to Vietnam-Cambodia border
- Cooking demonstration with Chef Chanthy Yen - Taste of Cambodia
Landmarks Evergreen Island Tan Chau Cao Dai Temple - Day 16
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
You wake up in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital known as the 'Pearl of Asia.' The day covers Cambodia's difficult history through visits to Killing Fields at Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), a former school that became the Khmer Rouge's main prison. The afternoon is free for optional tours, visiting Central Market, or staying on the ship. A remork (tuk-tuk) tour through Phnom Penh by night is included this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Killing Fields at Choeung Ek visit
- Killing Fields memorial visit
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) visit
- Phnom Penh by night remork (tuk-tuk) tour (EmeraldPLUS)
Optional Activities
- Silk farm tour at Koh Oknha Tei (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Craft Beer Adventure by remork (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Samai Distillery (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Visit Central Market
Landmarks Killing Fields at Choeung Ek Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Central Market Koh Oknha Tei Samai Distillery 
- Day 17
Phnom Penh
You travel to Oudong, the former royal capital until 1866, north of Phnom Penh. You'll start at Oudong Monastery and Temples with burial sites of Khmer kings and religious artifacts over a century old. A traditional Buddhist blessing from resident monks happens in the main temple. The Royal Palace with its French-inspired gardens and Silver Pagoda comes next. Back on ship, a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children's Organisation plays before sailing to Prek K'Dam. Your final dinner is crafted by Chef Chanthy Yen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Special farewell dinner crafted by Chef Chanthy Yen inspired by authentic Cambodian heritage)
Included Activities
- Visit Oudong Monastery and Temples
- Traditional Buddhist monk blessing (EmeraldPLUS)
- Visit Royal Palace
- Visit Silver Pagoda
- Cultural performance by Cambodian Student and Children's Organisation (EmeraldPLUS)
- Sail to Prek K'Dam
- Special farewell dinner by Chef Chanthy Yen
Landmarks Oudong Oudong Monastery Royal Palace Silver Pagoda Prek K'Dam 
- Day 18
Prek K'Dam to Siem Reap
You leave Emerald Harmony in the morning and drive to Siem Reap for a three-night stay at the Shinta Mani, a deluxe boutique property. This evening, you'll attend Phare, The Cambodian Circus, where acrobatics, music, and dance tell a Cambodian story. An optional dinner at the circus is available if you want to further support their work.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Disembark cruise ship
- Transfer to Siem Reap
- Phare Cambodian Circus performance (EmeraldPLUS)
Optional Activities
- Evening dinner at Phare Circus (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks Phare Cambodian Circus - Day 19
Angkor Thom - Ta Prohm
You start at Angkor Thom, a remarkable royal city from the Angkor Period and architectural wonder. As the last capital of the Khmer Empire, it's a fortified site that once housed priests, officials, and military. Next is the Temple of Ta Prohm, where jungle roots have reclaimed this spiritual location. The evening is free to check out Pub Street or choose from optional activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Angkor Thom
- Visit Ta Prohm Temple
Optional Activities
- Evening visit to Pub Street
- Sunset Drinks Gondola Boat at Bayon (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Cambodian Street Food Discovery Tour (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks Angkor Thom Ta Prohm Temple Bayon Pub Street - Day 20
Angkor Wat
You catch the sunrise over Angkor Wat, then walk through this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site with its intricate carvings. The afternoon gives you time to explore the town or join optional excursions. This evening, you'll have an immersive farewell dinner at Satcha Handicraft Centre with an Apsara dance performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Apsara dance performance and dinner show at Satcha Handicraft Centre)
Included Activities
- Sunrise visit to Angkor Wat
- Walk through Angkor Wat
- Apsara dance performance and dinner show at Satcha Handicraft Centre (EmeraldPLUS)
Optional Activities
- Siem Reap Countryside by Vespa (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Banteay Srei Temple and APOPO (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Tonlé Sap (DiscoverMORE - extra expense, July to February)
- Khmer Cooking Class (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Senteurs d'Angkor Workshop (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks Angkor Wat Satcha Handicraft Centre Banteay Srei Temple Tonlé Sap 
- Day 21
Siem Reap Departure
After breakfast, you transfer to Siem Reap airport for your onward or homebound flight. Note that this itinerary can shift for operational reasons like water level changes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Transfer to Siem Reap airport
