Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
Your Emerald Cruises representative greets you at Hanoi airport and transfers you to your downtown hotel. Spend the afternoon however you like—relax at the hotel, walk around the city, or head out to check out West Lake with its peaceful atmosphere. Later this evening, meet your tour director for a welcome briefing to go over what's ahead.
Optional Activities
- Explore Hanoi city
- Wander Hanoi's West Lake
Landmarks West Lake - Day 2
Hanoi to Halong Bay
After breakfast, you head from Hanoi to Halong Bay to board the elegant Au Co cruise ship. The day involves sailing through the bays and limestone islets, and you can join onboard tours, learn about how local people live and work, or just relax on deck. By evening the ship anchors in the Trinh Nu area surrounded by dramatic rock formations, and dinner happens onboard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner served on board)
Included Activities
- Two-night Halong Bay cruise
- Cruise through Halong Bay bays and islets
Optional Activities
- Onboard tours
- Learn about local livelihood in the area
Landmarks Halong Bay Trinh Nu area 
- Day 3
Halong Bay
The cruise continues sailing into less-visited areas toward Lan Ha Bay. You'll transfer to a smaller boat to swim at quiet beaches and kayak around Ho Ba Ham Lake. Later you row out to visit Cua Van fishing village, then head back to your traditional junk boat for the night. After dinner, there's an option to try squid fishing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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
Optional Activities
- Squid fishing after dinner
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 before sailing back through the dramatic rock formations. Stop at Sung Sot Cave, then cruise back to port for your transfer to Hanoi. As part of EmeraldPLUS, lunch happens at KOTO, a restaurant training disadvantaged young people in hospitality. Afterward the day is yours to explore the city at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at KOTO Restaurant)
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing
- Visit Sung Sot Cave
- Lunch at KOTO Restaurant
Optional Activities
- Leisure time exploring Hanoi
Landmarks Sung Sot Cave - Day 5
Hanoi
Start the morning with a city tour learning about Ho Chi Minh and visiting his mausoleum (from outside), his stilt house, and the One Pillar Pagoda. Then head to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university which operated for 700 years. After lunch, wander through the Old Quarter's 36 bustling streets, check out Hang Be Market, and walk around Hoan Kiem Lake where you can cross the red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple. Later tonight, take in a traditional water puppet show.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Morning city tour
- Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (exterior view)
- Visit Ho Chi Minh's stilt house
- Visit One Pillar Pagoda
- Visit Temple of Literature
- Visit Hanoi's Old Quarter
- Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake
- Visit Ngoc Son Temple
- Traditional water puppet show
Optional Activities
- Visit Hang Be Market
Landmarks Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum One Pillar Pagoda Temple of Literature Hanoi's Old Quarter Hang Be Market Hoan Kiem Lake Ngoc Son Temple - Day 6
Hanoi to Vientiane
You have the morning free. Then transfer to Hanoi airport for a flight to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. After you land, visit The Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE), which helps people with mobility-related disabilities. Check into your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit COPE (Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise)
Landmarks COPE (Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise) 
- Day 7
Vientiane to Vang Vieng
After breakfast, take a morning tour of Vientiane to see Pha That Luang, the gold-covered Buddhist stupa and national symbol, plus the Patuxay Monument, a war memorial built between 1957 and 1968. Later you drive to Vang Vieng and check into your boutique resort alongside the Mekong River. Spend the rest of the day watching the dramatic mountain and countryside views from the pool area or your balcony.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning tour of Vientiane
- Visit Pha That Luang
- Visit Patuxay Monument
Landmarks Pha That Luang Patuxay Monument - Day 8
Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang
Check out the natural beauty around Vang Vieng with visits to the turquoise Blue Lagoons and Chang Caves, which villagers discovered during wartime. After lunch, head to the train station to take the new high-speed train to Luang Prabang, Laos's spiritual capital. Check into your hotel for three nights. Later, head up Mt Phousi, a 100-meter hill in the old town peninsula, to take in the surrounding views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Blue Lagoons
- Visit Chang Caves
- Train journey to Luang Prabang
- Visit Mt Phousi
Landmarks Blue Lagoons Chang Caves Mt Phousi - Day 9
Luang Prabang
Visit Luang Prabang's major temples including Wat Xieng Thong, one of Laos's most important and oldest temples, plus Wat Mai, the city's largest temple, and the former Royal Palace which is now the National Museum. Then take a two-hour cruise along the Mekong River to reach Pak Ou Caves (Tam Ting), where thousands of gold Buddha statues sit inside a limestone cliff. On the way back by road, stop at a village to join locals in playing traditional games. Tonight, head out to explore the well-known night market on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Wat Xieng Thong
- Visit Wat Mai
- Visit former Royal Palace/National Museum
- Cruise along Mekong River
- Visit Pak Ou Caves (Tam Ting)
- Participate in local game at village
Optional Activities
- Shop at night market
Landmarks Wat Xieng Thong Wat Mai Former Royal Palace/National Museum Pak Ou Caves (Tam Ting) Mekong River - Day 10
Luang Prabang
Wake early to watch the morning ritual of local monks collecting daily alms through Luang Prabang's streets. Head back to the hotel for breakfast, then travel to Kuang Si waterfalls, a series of tiered waterfalls and swimming holes set in jungle. Enjoy lunch, then return to Luang Prabang. Later as part of EmeraldPLUS, participate in a traditional Baci ceremony, a ritual welcoming guests and expressing goodwill and good luck.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning monk alms ritual
- Visit Kuang Si waterfalls
Landmarks Kuang Si waterfalls - Day 11
Luang Prabang to Siem Reap
Leave Laos and fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Sous Sdei and welcome to Cambodia! Your Emerald guide meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel for three nights. Meet your Cambodian local guide who'll tell you more about the days ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 12
Siem Reap
Start your day at Angkor Thom, not just a single temple but one of the Khmer Empire's most remarkable royal cities and a real architectural wonder. It was the empire's last capital and a fortified city. Visit the sacred Temple of Ta Prohm, where jungle roots have reclaimed the structure and wild vegetation covers it, making it famous from Hollywood films. This afternoon is free to visit markets or join a DiscoverMORE tour. Tonight, catch a performance at Phare, The Cambodian Circus, with acrobatics, music and dance telling a uniquely Cambodian story.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Angkor Thom
- Visit Ta Prohm Temple
- Phare Cambodian Circus performance
Optional Activities
- Visit markets
- Vespa tour of Siem Reap (extra expense)
- Sunset Drinks Gondola Boat at Bayon (extra expense)
- Cambodian Street Food Discovery Tour (extra expense)
- Local Fare at Phare Circus (extra expense)
Landmarks Angkor Thom Ta Prohm Temple - Day 13
Siem Reap
Rise early to watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat, then walk through this UNESCO World Heritage site known for its detailed decorations and intricate carvings. This afternoon, have free time to explore Siem Reap or join a DiscoverMORE excursion. Later as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy an immersive evening and dinner at Satcha Handicraft Centre with an Apsara dance performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at Satcha Handicraft Centre with Apsara dance performance)
Included Activities
- Sunrise visit to Angkor Wat
- Apsara dance performance and dinner show
Optional Activities
- Explore Siem Reap
- Siem Reap Countryside by Vespa (extra expense)
- Banteay Srei Temple and APOPO (extra expense)
- Tonlé Sap (extra expense, July to February)
- Khmer Cooking Class (extra expense)
- Senteurs d'Angkor Workshop (extra expense)
Landmarks Angkor Wat Satcha Handicraft Centre - Day 14
Siem Reap to Prek K'Dam
Leave Siem Reap and head to Prek K'Dam to board the Emerald Harmony Star-Ship. On the way, stop at Kampong Kdei to see the impressive Angkor Bridge, then grab lunch at a local restaurant. When you reach the port, the captain and crew welcome you onboard. Later, the ship sails up the Tonle River to Kampong Tralach with dinner served onboard to meet your fellow guests.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant in Kampong Kdei), Dinner (First dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Visit Angkor Bridge in Kampong Kdei
- Embark on Emerald Harmony cruise ship
- Sail up Tonle River to Kampong Tralach
Landmarks Angkor Bridge Tonle River - Day 15
Kampong Tralach to Phnom Penh
Start the day with an ox cart ride in Kampong Tralach to a local temple before driving to Oudong, Cambodia's former royal capital until 1866. At Oudong Monastery's main temple, receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from resident monks. Return to Emerald Harmony and sail to Phnom Penh. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring optional DiscoverMORE excursions, visiting the Central Market, or relaxing onboard. After dinner, take a remork (local tuk-tuk) tour around Phnom Penh by night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ox cart ride in Kampong Tralach to local temple
- Visit Oudong Monastery
- Traditional Buddhist blessing from monks
- Sail to Phnom Penh
- Phnom Penh by night on remork (Tuk-Tuk) tour
Optional Activities
- Silk farm tour at Koh Oknha Tei (extra expense)
- Craft Beer Adventure by remork (extra expense)
- Samai Distillery (extra expense)
- Visit Central Market
Landmarks Oudong Monastery Central Market - Day 16
Phnom Penh
Learn about Cambodia's darkest chapter under the Khmer Rouge. Visit Choeung Ek Killing Fields to walk through the grounds, see the memorial, and understand this somber period. Then visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), a former school that became the Khmer Rouge's main prison and torture center. Back onboard, have a Cambodian Street Fair lunch, then visit the majestic Royal Palace with its French-inspired gardens. Before sailing for the border, watch a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children's Organisation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Cambodian Street Fair lunch), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Killing Fields at Choeung Ek
- Visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21)
- Visit Royal Palace
- Cultural Performance by Cambodian Student and Children's Organisation
Landmarks Killing Fields at Choeung Ek Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) Royal Palace - Day 17
Phnom Penh to Tan Chau
Cross the border into Vietnam and sail to Tan Chau. Relax onboard or join a DiscoverMORE excursion to Tra Su Bird Sanctuary before returning for a late lunch. Take a sampan to Evergreen Island for a stroll through a local village to see how locals live and farm. Visit the recently renovated Cao Dai temple to learn about this syncretic religion established in southern Vietnam in 1926. Ride a xe loi (local cyclo) from the temple back to your sampan. Return to Emerald Harmony and watch a traditional Lion Dance performance onboard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Late lunch on board), Dinner
Included Activities
- Sail to Tan Chau
- Visit Evergreen Island
- Visit Cao Dai temple
- Xe Loi (cyclo) ride from temple
- Lion Dance performance on board
Optional Activities
- Visit Tra Su Bird Sanctuary (extra expense)
Landmarks Tra Su Bird Sanctuary Evergreen Island Cao Dai temple - Day 18
Tan Chau to My An Hung
Known as 'Mango Island,' Cu Lao Gieng is a small scenic island untouched by heavy tourism. Travel by local motorcycle rickshaw through the island's villages visiting families who work in various local industries like mango farming, boat construction and making temple incense sticks. Return to Emerald Harmony by sampan and sail to My An Hung Island, a small rural village specializing in red-hot chillies and peppers. Listen to local folk singing, walk through coconut farms and spend time in traditional village life.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Cu Lao Gieng (Mango Island)
- Local industries tour on Cu Lao Gieng
- Visit My An Hung village
- Listen to local folk singing
- Wander through coconut farms
- Visit Monkey Bridge at My An Hung
Landmarks Cu Lao Gieng (Mango Island) My An Hung Island - Day 19
My An Hung to Cai Be
Take a short sampan ride to Sa Đéc, a Mekong Delta hidden gem. Walk around town with a stop at the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, who inspired Marguerite Duras' novel L'Amant, and stroll through Sa Đéc's bustling central market. Return to Emerald Harmony by sampan for lunch while cruising to Cái Bè. Travel by sampan to Tan Phong, a small island with alluvial soil ideal for tropical fruit orchards. Try a hands-on workshop weaving water hyacinth into artistic crafts, then ride a motorized buggy through fruit orchards sampling tropical fruits. Discover local cottage industries producing rice paper and sweets from popcorn, pop-rice and coconuts.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on board while cruising to Cái Bè), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Sa Đéc market
- Visit home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le
- Visit Tan Phong island
- Water hyacinth weaving workshop
- Motorized buggy ride through fruit orchards
- Sample tropical fruits
- Visit local cottage industries in Cái Bè
Landmarks Sa Đéc Tan Phong Island Cái Bè 
- Day 20
Cai Be to Ho Chi Minh City
After sailing from My Tho, you leave the Mekong Delta and enter the Cho Gao canal, one of Vietnam's major waterways connecting Tien Giang Province with Ho Chi Minh City. Watch commercial traffic navigate this important canal where about 1,800 vessels pass through daily. Relax onboard taking in the changing vistas of mangroves, cargo barges and local fishing boats. Tonight the ship docks in Ho Chi Minh City's heart so you can see the city lights, though Vietnamese customs regulations mean you can't go ashore.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Cho Gao canal
- View commercial traffic on canal
Landmarks Cho Gao canal 
- Day 21
Ho Chi Minh City
After disembarking, drive away from Ho Chi Minh City port toward Cu Chi Tunnels, watching the city skyline disappear as the road passes rice paddies, villages and scenes typical of southern Vietnam. Spend a couple hours walking around Cu Chi's grounds with a local guide. Back at the port, have a traditional pho (noodle soup) lunch then check in to your hotel for two nights. Later, join a DiscoverMORE excursion if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Pho (noodle soup) lunch), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Cu Chi Tunnels
- Walk around Cu Chi tunnels with local guide
- Traditional Pho lunch
Optional Activities
- Evening Saigon Street Food walking tour (extra expense)
- One Night in Saigon (extra expense)
Landmarks Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 22
Ho Chi Minh City
Take a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City starting with the Reunification or Independence Palace, the city's most iconic building. Formerly the South Vietnamese Presidential Palace, it became famous worldwide when tanks stormed through on April 30, 1975 as Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese. Stroll through the colonial quarter, passing scenes of everyday life, and admire the beautiful architecture of the Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral and the old Saigon Post Office, learning about French Indochina's era and its influence on modern Vietnamese culture. Tonight, enjoy your farewell dinner with fellow guests.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner with fellow guests)
Included Activities
- Visit Reunification/Independence Palace
- Stroll through colonial quarter
- View Opera House
- View Notre Dame Cathedral
- View old Saigon Post Office
- Farewell dinner
Landmarks Reunification Palace (Independence Palace) Opera House Notre Dame Cathedral Saigon Post Office - Day 23
Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast, transfer to Ho Chi Minh City airport to catch your onward or homebound flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
