Day 1 Fri, 08 Aug Hanoi (D)
Xin Chao and welcome to Hanoi. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to downtown Hanoi for your included one-night stay. Relax at the hotel, explore the city, or wander Hanoi’s romantic West Lake. This evening, meet your tour director for your welcome briefing.

Day 2 Sat, 09 Aug Hanoi – Halong Bay (B,L,D)
This morning after breakfast, leave Hanoi and travel to Halong Bay where you will board your elegant Au Co cruise ship. Cruise through the bays and islets enjoying the stunning scenery of this magnificent region. Enjoy the tours offered on board, learn more about the main livelihood of the locals in the area or simply choose to relax. Towards the end of the day, the ship anchors for the night in the Trinh Nu area among the karst formations where dinner will be served on board.

Included Excursion
A two-night Halong Bay cruise on the elegant Au Co cruise ship

Day 3 Sun, 10 Aug Halong Bay (B,L,D)
Today, continue sailing further into the region’s more untouched areas towards Lan Ha Bay. From a smaller boat, enjoy swimming on quiet beaches and kayaking in Ho Ba Ham Lake. Then visit Cua Van fishing village by rowing boat. After a full day’s exploration, you’ll return to your cruise ship and after dinner, try your hand at squid fishing.

Day 4 Mon, 11 Aug Halong Bay – Hanoi (B,D)
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 Ki?m Lake located in central Hanoi. Here walk across the red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple located on the Jade Islet within the lake. Later, enjoy a 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

Included Excursion
Visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter

Included Excursion
A traditional water puppet show

Day 5 Tue, 12 Aug Hanoi – Danang / Hoi An (B)
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.

Depart Hanoi and transfer to the airport for your included flight to Da Nang (Hoi An). Upon arrival in Hoi An, transfer to the Bel Marina Hoi An Resort for your included three-night stay. Tonight you can join a DiscoverMORE excursion.

DiscoverMORE
Hoi An Memories Show (extra expense)

Included Excursion
Hanoi’s City Tour, including the Temple of Literature

Day 6 Wed, 13 Aug Hoi An (B,L)
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

Included Excursion
A walking tour of Hoi An

Day 7 Thu, 14 Aug Hoi An (B)
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.

DiscoverMORE
My Son Historic Kingdom Tour (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE
Hoi An Rural Life (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE
Ba Na Hills & Golden Hands Bridge (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE
Thu Bon River Sunset Cruise (extra expense)

Day 8 Fri, 15 Aug Hoi An – Hue (B,D)
Leave Hoi An for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. You will drive through Danang before crossing the Hai Vân Pass, known as the Ocean Clouds Pass before dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. In Hue, 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 where the emperors used to go to relax. Then later, join a boat trip to visit Thien Mu Pagoda before checking your hotel Indochine Palace for the night. This evening, for your EmeraldPLUS experience, savour a traditional Vietnamese royal dinner menu.

EmeraldPLUS
A traditional Vietnamese royal dinner at a local restaurant

Included Excursion
Cyclo ride from Dai Noi ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake

Included Excursion
A visit to the Imperial Citadel

Included Excursion
A boat tour on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda

Day 9 Sat, 16 Aug Hue – Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Today, transfer to Hue airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. After checking into your hotel, you will be free to explore the city.

Day 10 Sun, 17 Aug Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)
Drive north of Ho Chi Minh City to the 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 legendary grounds with a local guide. Upon your return to Ho Chi Minh City, enjoy a traditional 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

DiscoverMORE
An evening Saigon Street Food walking tour (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE
One Night in Saigon (extra expense)

Day 11 Mon, 18 Aug Ho Chi Minh City – 9 Night Mekong Cruise (B,L,D)
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 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

Day 12 Tue, 19 Aug Sail Cho Gao Canal – Ben Tre (B,L,D)
The Cho Gao canal is one of Vietnam’s major arterial canals, connecting Tien Giang Province in the Mekong Delta 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 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). This afternoon, you’ll visit the Tan My Floating community followed by a ride through the local ‘Delta plantations’, visiting a mushroom farm, a fruit farm with sampling and a honey farm with local sweets before returning to Emerald Harmony to sail onwards to Sa Ðéc, a hidden gem on the Mekong Delta.

Included Excursion
Visit the Thoi Binh hamlet and its farming and fishing communities, untouched by tourism

Day 13 Wed, 20 Aug Sa Dec – My An Hung (B,L,D)
After a short ride on a sampan to Sa Dec enjoy a walking tour around town with a stop at the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, who inspired Marguerite Duras’ novel L’Amant, and enjoy a walk through the central market to peruse its varied produce.

Return to Emerald Harmony by sampan and sail to My An Hung Island. Recognised as a cultural and historical destination, this small village in rural Vietnam specialises in red-hot chilli and peppers. As part of our EmeraldPLUS programme, enjoy some local folk singing during the visit.

EmeraldPLUS
Listen to some local folk singing in My An Hung

Included Excursion
A visit to the bustling Sa Dec Markets and the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le

Included Excursion
A visit to My An Hung village and its Monkey Bridge

Day 14 Thu, 21 Aug Gieng Island (B,L,D)
Known as ‘Mango Island,’ Cu Lao Gieng is a small, scenic 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, boat construction and production of temple incense sticks. This afternoon sail to An Long.

Included Excursion
See the local industries in Gieng Island

Day 15 Fri, 22 Aug An Long (B,L,D)
Today is yours to enjoy your free time on board or, if you prefer, partake in a DiscoverMORE optional excursion to the Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary in An Long. As part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, you can enjoy a traditional Lion Dance performance on board.

EmeraldPLUS
A Lion Dance performance on board

DiscoverMORE
A visit to Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary in Tram Chim National Park (extra expense)

Day 16 Sat, 23 Aug Tan Chau – Vietnam/Cambodia Border Crossing (B,L,D)
In Tan Chau, embark on a sampan ride to Evergreen Island for a walk through a local village, affording a glimpse into the ‘Delta farming community’. Reboard your sampan returning to Tan Chau and as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, visit a local Cao Dai temple. Cao Dai is a syncretic, monotheistic religion established in Tây Ninh, southern Vietnam, in 1926. At the temple, learn more about this fascinating and complex religion. Afterwards, ride in a Xe Loi (local form of cyclo) back to your sampan before reboarding Emerald Harmony. You’ll then cruise to the border between Vietnam and Cambodia.

EmeraldPLUS
Cao Dai Temple visit and Xe Loi ride

Included Excursion
A visit to Evergreen Island

Day 17 Sun, 24 Aug Phnom Penh (B,L,D)
Today, you’ll awake in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Known as the ‘Pearl of Asia,’ this city was almost entirely evacuated by the Khmer Rouge 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 walk 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 HQ. Spend the afternoon at leisure, exploring our DiscoverMORE excursions, visiting the vibrant Central Market, or relaxing on board.

Later, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, you’ll enjoy an evening remork (local Tuk-Tuk) ride through Phnom Penh, admiring the city lights.

EmeraldPLUS
Phnom Penh by night on a remork (Tuk-Tuk) tour

Included Excursion
Killing Fields at Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

DiscoverMORE
A silk farm tour at Koh Oknha Tei (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE
Craft Beer Adventure by remork (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE
Samai Rum Distillery visit (extra expense)

Day 18 Mon, 25 Aug Phnom Penh – Angkor Ban (B,L,D)
In the morning visit the majestic Royal Palace with its 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 sailing as you cruise further up the Mekong River to Angkor Ban.

EmeraldPLUS
Cultural Performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation

Included Excursion
A visit to the Royal Palace

Day 19 Tue, 26 Aug Angkor Ban – Peam Chi Korng (B,L,D)
In Angkor Ban, explore its historical rural wooden houses which survived the Khmer Rouge and visit a classroom that teaches English to the local students, after their regular school lessons. In the village temple learn how to pray in a Buddhist pagoda and you’ll receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the temple’s resident monks as part of your EmeraldPLUS excursion. Afterwards set sail to your final destination, Peam Chi Korng located further upstream on the Mekong River.

EmeraldPLUS
A traditional Buddhist Monk blessing

Included Excursion
Walk around the historical village of Angkor Ban

Day 20 Wed, 27 Aug Peam Chi Korng Disembarkation – Siem Reap (B,L)
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, 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 as part of your EmeraldPLUS programme, attend Phare, The Cambodian Circus, where a combination of acrobatics, music and dance tell a uniquely Cambodian story. Take advantage of our DiscoverMORE dinner at the circus to further support Phare’s work.

EmeraldPLUS
Phare Cambodian Circus performance

DiscoverMORE
Evening – Local Fare at Phare Circus (extra expense)

Day 21 Thu, 28 Aug Siem Reap (B,L)
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

Included Excursion
Visit to Ta Prohm Temple

DiscoverMORE
Evening – Sunset Drinks Gondola Boat at Bayon (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE
Evening – Cambodian Street Food Discovery Tour (extra expense)

Day 22 Fri, 29 Aug Siem Reap (B,D)
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 at Satcha Handicraft Centre, accompanied by an Apsara dance performance.

EmeraldPLUS
Apsara dance performance and dinner show

Included Excursion
Sunrise visit to Angkor Wat

DiscoverMORE
Siem Reap Countryside by Vespa (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE
Banteay Srei Temple and APOPO (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE
Tonlé Sap (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE
Khmer Cooking Class (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE
Senteurs d’Angkor Workshop (extra expense)

Day 23 Sat, 30 Aug Depart Siem Reap (B)
After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to the Siem Reap airport to catch your onward or homebound flight.

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above.

Vietnam

Canadian passport holders require a visa to enter Vietnam. You must obtain a visa prior to arrival in Vietnam. Canadian passport holders are able to apply for a single entry electronic visa (e-visa). If you plan to leave Vietnam and then return on the same trip, you will need to apply for a multiple entry visa prior to travel.

Vietnam Entry Point for Upstream Sailings: International Airport
Vietnam Exit Point for Upstream Sailings: Song Tien Landport

Please note entry/exit points are subject to change at short notice, please use the above as a guide only.

Cambodia

Canadian passport holders require a visa to enter Cambodia. Guests sailing on upstream itineraries only (Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap) are able to apply for a visa on board the Emerald Harmony. The cost will be approximately USD$40pp to arrange your visa, which can be paid via your onboard account. Alternatively, you may obtain a visa from the Cambodian Embassy in advance of arrival.

IMPORTANT: Please note that eVisa’s are not valid and cannot be used when entering Cambodia via river on upstream cruises (Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap) as it is not supported at river boarders.

Cambodia e-Arrival
Effective 1 July 2024, all inbound travellers to Cambodia are now required to submit an electronic arrival card (CEA) within 7 days prior to arrival.
The Cambodia e-Arrival replaces the traditional paper-based immigration form, health form and customs declaration. At present, this process is applicable to travellers who arrive by air into Siem Reap and Phnom Penh Airports.
Those entering Cambodia by land crossing, boat or through Sihanoukville airport will use the paper-based forms at this time.

Travellers can access the e-arrival up to 7 days prior to arrival. It is available via official government website https://arrival.gov.kh/ or through the Cambodia e-Arrival app.