Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
You'll arrive in Hanoi and get transferred to your hotel in downtown. The rest of the evening is yours to spend however you like - walk around West Lake, check out the neighborhood, or just relax at the hotel. You'll meet your tour director later for a welcome briefing to go over what's coming up.
Included Activities
- Hotel transfer from airport to downtown 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 whole day involves sailing through the bays and islands, and you can join on-board tours, learn about how local people live and work, or kick back and relax. By evening the ship anchors in the Trinh Nu area surrounded by karst formations, and dinner is served on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Two-night Halong Bay cruise on Au Co cruise ship
- Cruise through bays and islets in Halong Bay
Optional Activities
- On-board tours
- Learn about local livelihoods
Landmarks Halong Bay Trinh Nu area 
- Day 3
Lan Ha Bay
The ship continues sailing toward Lan Ha Bay and some less developed areas. From a smaller boat you'll swim at quiet beaches and kayak in Ho Ba Ham Lake. After that, you'll take a rowing boat to Cua Van fishing village to see how people live there. Once you're back on the cruise ship for dinner, you can try squid fishing if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- 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'll watch the sunrise and have breakfast, then cruise past the rock formations and stop at Sung Sot Cave before heading back to port. From there it's a transfer back to Hanoi where you'll see the Temple of Literature, the Old Quarter with its 36 winding streets, Hang Be Market, and Hoan Kiem Lake with its red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple. To finish things off, there's a traditional water puppet show and dinner at KOTO restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at KOTO (Know One Teach One) restaurant)
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing
- Cruise through rock formations
- Visit Sung Sot Cave
- Temple of Literature tour
- Old Quarter exploration (36 Streets)
- Hang Be Market visit
- Hoan Kiem Lake walk
- Red bridge crossing to Ngoc Son Temple
- Traditional water puppet show
- Dinner at KOTO (Know One Teach One) restaurant
Landmarks Sung Sot Cave Temple of Literature Old Quarter (36 Streets) Hang Be Market Hoan Kiem Lake Ngoc Son Temple - Day 5
Hanoi to Hoi An
This morning you're doing a city tour learning about Ho Chi Minh and seeing his mausoleum from outside. You'll visit the Ho Chi Minh Quarter to check out his stilt house and the One Pillar Pagoda. Then it's time to head to the airport for your flight to Da Nang (Hoi An), where you'll transfer to your hotel for three nights. If you're interested, there's an optional DiscoverMORE excursion available this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ho Chi Minh mausoleum exterior viewing
- Ho Chi Minh stilt house visit
- One Pillar Pagoda visit
- Flight to Da Nang
Optional Activities
- Hoi An Memories Show (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Ho Chi Minh Stilt House One Pillar Pagoda 
- Day 6
Hoi An
You'll visit the Reaching Out Project, an NGO that provides job training and employment for people with disabilities. Then comes a walking tour of Hoi An where you'll see old merchant houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge, and the Assembly Hall of the Chinese Congregation. The evening is free to wander the lantern-lit streets on your own and check out the shops and bars.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Reaching Out Project visit
- Walking tour of Hoi An
- Old merchant houses viewing
- Japanese Covered Bridge visit
- Assembly Hall of the Chinese Congregation visit
Landmarks Japanese Covered Bridge Assembly Hall of the Chinese Congregation - Day 7
Hoi An
Today is pretty open for you to explore Hoi An at your own pace. Walk through the Old Town and visit tailors if you want, or take a cyclo to An Bang Beach. If you prefer guided activities, there are several optional DiscoverMORE choices like My Son Historic Kingdom, the rural areas around Hoi An, Ba Na Hills and the Golden Hands Bridge, or a river sunset cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Hoi An Old Town
- Visit tailors
- Cyclo ride to An Bang Beach
- My Son Historic Kingdom Tour (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Hoi An Rural Life tour (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Ba Na Hills & Golden Hands Bridge tour (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Thu Bon River Sunset Cruise (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks An Bang Beach - Day 8
Hoi An to Hue
You're driving from Hoi An to Hue, passing through Danang and crossing the Hai Van Pass with views of the Lang Co fishing village below. At the Imperial Citadel you'll learn about the Nguyen Dynasty's rule. After a cyclo ride from Dai Noi to Tinh Tam Lake, you'll take a boat to Thien Mu Pagoda and check into your hotel. Dinner tonight is a traditional Vietnamese royal meal.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional Vietnamese royal dinner menu at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Drive through Danang
- Crossing Hai Van Pass (Ocean Clouds 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
Landmarks Hai Van Pass Lang Co fishing village Imperial Citadel Tinh Tam Lake Thien Mu Pagoda 
- Day 9
Hue to Ho Chi Minh City
You'll transfer to Hue airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). After checking in at your hotel, the rest of the day is free and you can explore the city however you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight to Ho Chi Minh City
Optional Activities
- Explore Ho Chi Minh City
- Day 10
Ho Chi Minh City
The morning takes you north of Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu Chi Tunnels, driving through rice paddies and small villages in southern Vietnam along the way. You'll spend a couple of hours walking around the tunnels with a local guide. Afterwards it's back to Ho Chi Minh City for a traditional pho lunch, and then your afternoon and evening are free to explore. There are optional DiscoverMORE excursions if you want something more structured.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Pho (noodle soup))
Included Activities
- Cu Chi Tunnels visit with local guide
- Traditional 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 you check out, there's a guided city tour hitting the Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera House, and Town Hall, then the Reunification Palace. From there you head to the port to board the Emerald Harmony Star-Ship. You'll meet the captain and crew, sail down the Saigon River to the Cho Gao canal for an overnight stay. Your first dinner is on board and there's a port talk covering the activities coming up.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner on board with fellow travellers)
Included Activities
- Notre Dame Cathedral visit
- Opera House visit
- Town Hall visit
- Reunification Palace visit
- Orientation tour of Ho Chi Minh City
- Boarding Emerald Harmony
- Welcome reception with captain and crew
- Sailing down Saigon River
- Dinner on board
- Port talk
Landmarks Notre Dame Cathedral Opera House Town Hall Reunification Palace Saigon River - Day 12
Sa Đéc
You're sailing through the Cho Gao canal, one of Vietnam's major shipping routes where around 1,800 vessels pass through daily. It's a busy waterway with a lot of commercial traffic. The ship continues to the Mekong River where you'll visit Tan My Floating community. From there you'll ride through local plantations including a mushroom farm, a fruit farm where you can sample things, and a honey farm with local sweets. The Emerald Harmony then sails on to Sa Đéc.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Sailing through Cho Gao canal
- Visit Thoi Binh hamlet - farming and fishing communities
- Tan My Floating community visit
- Mushroom farm visit with sampling
- Fruit farm visit with sampling
- Honey farm visit with local sweets tasting
Landmarks Cho Gao canal Tan My Floating community Thoi Binh hamlet Sa Đéc - Day 13
Sa Đéc to My An Hung
After a short sampan ride to Sa Đéc, you'll walk around town and stop at the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, who inspired Marguerite Duras' novel L'Amant. You'll walk through the central market too. Then it's back to the ship by sampan, and from there you sail to My An Hung Island, a small Mekong village known for growing red-hot chilli and pepper. You'll have the chance to hear local folk singing while you're there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Sampan ride to Sa Đéc
- Walking tour of Sa Đéc
- Mr. Huynh Thuy Le home visit
- Sa Đéc central market walk
- Sail to My An Hung Island
- My An Hung village visit and Monkey Bridge
- Local folk singing experience
Landmarks Sa Đéc market My An Hung Island Monkey Bridge - Day 14
Cu Lao Gieng (Mango Island)
Cu Lao Gieng, also called 'Mango Island,' is a scenic spot on the upper Mekong that doesn't get a lot of tourists. You'll travel by local motorcycle rickshaw through the villages and see families doing mango farming, various boat building workshops, and an incense stick factory for temples. The afternoon is yours to relax on board or join an optional DiscoverMORE trip to Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary. There's a Lion Dance performance on board in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Local motorcycle rickshaw rides through Cu Lao Gieng
- Visit families in local industries
- Mango farming visit
- Boat building workshop visits
- Incense stick factory visit
- Lion Dance performance on board
Optional Activities
- Relaxation on board
- 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
Evergreen Island to Tan Chau
You'll take a sampan to Evergreen Island and walk through a local village to see how the farming community lives. After that it's back to Tan Chau where you'll visit the Cao Dai Temple and learn about this syncretic religion that was established in 1926. You'll ride back in a Xe Loi (local cyclo) to your sampan and return to the Emerald Harmony. The ship then sails toward the Vietnam-Cambodia border.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Sampan ride to Evergreen Island
- Local village walk on Evergreen Island
- Visit to Cao Dai Temple in Tan Chau
- Xe Loi (local cyclo) ride to sampan
Landmarks Evergreen Island Cao Dai Temple Tan Chau - Day 16
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
You wake up in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital called the 'Pearl of Asia.' The focus today is learning about Cambodia's darkest period. You'll visit the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek and walk through the grounds while viewing the memorial. Then comes the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), a former school that became the Khmer Rouge's main prison and torture facility. The afternoon is free to explore, visit the Central Market, or stay on board. Later, a remork (tuk-tuk) tour takes you through Phnom Penh's nighttime lights.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Killing Fields at Choeung Ek visit
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) visit
- Phnom Penh by night remork (Tuk-Tuk) tour
Optional Activities
- Explore Central Market
- Relax on board
- Silk farm tour at Koh Oknha Tei (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Craft Beer Adventure by remork (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Samai Distillery tour (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks Killing Fields at Choeung Ek Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) Central Market 
- Day 17
Oudong to Prek K'Dam, Cambodia
North of Phnom Penh you'll visit Oudong, Cambodia's former royal capital until 1866. You'll explore the monastery and temples there, seeing burial sites of Khmer kings and religious objects. A traditional Buddhist blessing from the resident monks is part of the experience. Next is the Royal Palace with its French-inspired gardens and Silver Pagoda. Back on board there's a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children's Organisation, then the ship makes a short sail to Prek K'Dam while you see Phnom Penh's lights from the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Oudong Monastery and Temples visit
- Royal Palace visit
- Silver Pagoda visit
- Traditional Buddhist Monk blessing
- Cultural Performance by Cambodian Student and Children's Organisation
- Sail to Prek K'Dam
Landmarks Oudong Monastery Royal Palace Silver Pagoda 
- Day 18
Prek K'Dam to Siem Reap
You disembark the Emerald Harmony in the morning and travel by road to Siem Reap for a three-night stay at the Shinta Mani, a deluxe boutique hotel with world-class design that respects the environment and local culture. This evening you'll attend Phare, The Cambodian Circus, which features acrobatics, music, and dance telling a distinctly Cambodian story. There's an optional dinner available at the circus if you want to support their work.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer from Prek K'Dam to Siem Reap
- Phare, The Cambodian Circus performance
Optional Activities
- Evening dinner at Phare Circus (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks Phare Cambodian Circus - Day 19
Angkor Complex
Angkor Thom isn't just one temple but rather one of the most remarkable royal cities from the Angkor Period and a real architectural achievement. You'll explore this fortified city that was the last capital of the Khmer Empire, with areas for priests, officials, military, and palace buildings. Then you visit the Temple of Ta Prohm, where jungle roots have taken over the structure creating a spiritual and contemplative space. It's been the backdrop for Hollywood films. The evening is yours to visit Pub Street or join a DiscoverMORE option.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Angkor Thom visit
- Ta Prohm Temple visit
Optional Activities
- Visit 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 - Day 20
Angkor Wat
You'll see the sunrise over Angkor Wat, and afterwards walk through this UNESCO World Heritage site known for its intricate carvings. The afternoon is free for you to explore the town or try an optional DiscoverMORE activity. Tonight there's an immersive farewell dinner at Satcha Handicraft Centre with an Apsara dance performance to wrap up the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Apsara dance performance and farewell dinner 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
Optional Activities
- Explore town at leisure
- 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 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 is a guide and may change based on operational needs like water levels. The cruise itself might operate differently than originally planned.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Airport transfer
