Majestic Mekong River Cruise Itinerary
DAY 1 – Ho Chi Minh City
On arrival, you’ll be transferred downtown to the Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers before transferring to the Saigon Port to board your Emerald Cruises award-winning Star-Ship. You’ll be welcomed on board Emerald Harmony by your captain and crew before setting sail after lunch down the Saigon River towards Ben Tre, in the Mekong Delta. This evening, enjoy your first dinner on board with your fellow guests and an informative port talk hosted by your Cruise Director.
Please book your flight to arrive into Ho Chi Minh City prior to 08:30 AM.
DAY 2 – Ben Tre
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 be fascinated watching the heavy commercial traffic navigate this important waterway, where upwards of 1,800 vessels transit each day.
Once on the Mekong River, this afternoon you’ll visit the 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 sail onwards to Sa Ðéc, a Mekong Delta hidden gem.
DAY 3 – Sa Dec & My An Hung
Take a short ride on a sampan to Sa Ðéc, a Mekong Delta hidden gem. Enjoy a walking tour around town with a stop at the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, who inspired Marguerite Duras’ celebrated novel, L’Amant, and a stroll through Sa Ðéc’s bustling central market. Return to Emerald Harmony by sampan for lunch, while cruising to My An Hung. Recognised as a cultural and historical destination, this small rural village specialises in cultivating red-hot chilli and peppers. As part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, listen to local folk singing during your visit.
DAY 4 – Gieng Island & An Long
Known as ‘Mango Island,’ Cu Lao Gieng is a small, scenic island that is 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 a variety of local industries, including mango farming, boat construction and temple incense sticks. Return to Emerald Harmony by sampan where, later this evening as part of our EmeraldPLUS programme, you’ll be delighted by a traditional Lion Dance performance on board.
DAY 5 – Tan Chau > Cross Vietnam / Cambodia border
Today, you’ll sail on to Tan Chau and cross the border into Cambodia. 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. This afternoon, embark on a sampan to Evergreen Island for a stroll through a local village, revealing the lives of the local farming community.
DAY 6 – Phnom Penh
This morning, learn more about the Khmer Rouge and the darkest days of Cambodia’s history. A short drive will take you to the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek, where you’ll be able to stroll through the fields, visit the memorial and understand more about the country’s sombre chapter. Afterwards, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (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 exploring our DiscoverMORE excursions, visiting the Central Market located in the heart of Phnom Penh, or simply relaxing on board Emerald Harmony.
This evening, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy a remork (local Tuk-Tuk) tour through Phnom Penh to admire the city lights.
DAY 7 – Phnom Penh – Oudong – Rokar Koang
Located north of Phnom Penh, Oudong was the former royal capital of Cambodia until it relocated to Phnom Penh in 1866. Start your day with a visit to the Oudong Monastery and Temples. Important remnants here include the burial sites of Khmer kings as well as religious artefacts dating back more than a century. In Oudong Monastery’s main temple, receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the resident monks, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the majestic Royal Palace, with its French-inspired gardens and Silver Pagoda. Back on board, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation. Afterwards set sail, gliding past the illuminated Phnom Penh at night, to Rokar Koang, a small town located further up along the up the Mekong River.
DAY 8 – Rokar Koang Disembarkation to Phnom Penh
Disembark Emerald Harmony in the morning and transfer to Phnom Penh airport for your onward or homebound flight.
Please book your flight to depart out of Phnom Penh after 12:00 PM.
