Meandering Majestic Mekong Cruise

Pricing based on departure date: 18th August 2025

Selected departures in August 2025 - October 2025

Ho Chi Minh City to Cambodia- Reverse itinerary also available

Venture along the Cho Gao Canal before visiting the villagers of Ben Tre, My An Hung, and Gieng Island. Your journey will then take you to Cambodia, a country defined by its awe-inspiring religious temples. Witness the beauty of Angkor Ban, and learn about Cambodia’s revival from the Khmer Rouge.

The Emerald Cruises Difference

Experience an unforgettable voyage of discovery with shore excursions, EmeraldPLUS cultural experiences, and the EmeraldACTIVE program all included.

• 6 Emerald Plus Highlights
• 7 Included Excursions
• 9 nights on board the luxurious Emerald Harmony
• Deluxe hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage included
• 27 meals: 9 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 9 dinners
• Complimentary international and local wine, beer & soft drinks to accompany lunch & dinner while on board Emerald Harmony
• Complimentary tea & coffee on board
• Complimentary water provided on board and during excursions
• A variety of on-board evening entertainment
• Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
• First-class service from an English-speaking crew and knowledgeable local guides
• Earn EmeraldEXPLORER loyalty points
• All port charges and taxes
• ATAS protected and CLIA member
• All tips included

 Your Ship: Emerald Harmony

Reaching 239ft (73m) in length, 42 cabins accommodate 84 guests and 40 crew members, enabling us to provide spacious suites and public areas, as well as an excellent staff-to-guest ratio. Every minute you spend on board will be one of complete relaxation. Unwind in the serene surroundings of the Lotus Lounge, rejuvenate by the pool on the Pool Deck, or enjoy a locally flavoured cocktail in the Asian-themed Horizon Bar & Lounge.

Itinerary Map:

Day 1 Mon, 18 AugHo Chi Minh City – 9 Night Mekong Cruise (L,D)

Xin Chao and welcome to Ho Chi Minh City (former Saigon), Vietnam’s largest city. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to the Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers, before transferring to Saigon Port to board your Emerald Cruises award-winning Star-Ship. You’ll be welcomed aboard Emerald Harmony by your captain and crew, before setting sail after lunch down the Saigon River to Cho Gao canal. 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 Tue, 19 AugSail 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 3 Wed, 20 AugSa 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 4 Thu, 21 AugGieng 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 5 Fri, 22 AugAn 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 6 Sat, 23 AugTan 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 7 Sun, 24 AugPhnom 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 8 Mon, 25 AugPhnom 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 9 Tue, 26 AugAngkor 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 10 Wed, 27 AugPeam Chi Korng Disembarkation to Phnom Penh (B)

Disembark Emerald Harmony in the morning and transfer back to Phnom Penh airport for your onward flight.

Please book your flight to depart out of Phnom Penh after 10:00 AM.

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.