Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
You'll arrive in Hanoi and transfer downtown to your hotel for the night. Once you're settled, the day is flexible - relax at the property, walk around the city, or head out to West Lake if you want to get oriented. Later on, you'll meet your tour director for a welcome briefing about the week ahead.
Optional Activities
- Explore downtown Hanoi
- Wander Hanoi's romantic West Lake
Landmarks West Lake - Day 2
Hanoi to Halong Bay
After breakfast you'll leave Hanoi and head to Halong Bay to board the Au Co cruise ship. The ship sails through the bays and limestone islets, and you can join on-board activities, learn about how locals live, or just relax on deck. By evening the ship anchors near Trinh Nu among the karst formations where dinner is served on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner served on board)
Included Activities
- Halong Bay cruise on the elegant Au Co cruise ship (two-night cruise included)
Optional Activities
- On-board tours
- Learn about local livelihoods in the area
Landmarks Halong Bay Trinh Nu Area 
- Day 3
Halong Bay
You'll continue sailing into less visited areas toward Lan Ha Bay. A smaller boat takes you to quiet beaches for swimming and kayaking in Ho Ba Ham Lake. From there you'll row out to Cua Van fishing village to see local life up close. After exploring all day, you'll return to the cruise ship for dinner, then try squid fishing later in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner served on board)
Included Activities
- Swimming on quiet beaches in Lan Ha Bay
- 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
Watch the sunrise and have breakfast, then cruise through rock formations and visit Sung Sot Cave before heading back to port. You'll transfer to Hanoi and explore the Old Quarter (the '36 Streets'), walk through Hang Be Market, and loop around Hoan Kiem Lake. Cross the red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple on the Jade Islet, then catch a traditional water puppet show. Dinner is at KOTO restaurant later.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at KOTO Restaurant - Know One Teach One, a unique restaurant set up to train and educate disadvantaged children)
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing
- Visit Sung Sot Cave
- Visit Hanoi's Old Quarter
- Visit Hang Be Market
- Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake
- Cross red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple
- Traditional water puppet show
- Dinner at KOTO Restaurant
Landmarks Sung Sot Cave Hanoi Old Quarter Hang Be Market Hoan Kiem Lake Ngoc Son Temple - Day 5
Hanoi to Hoi An
Your morning starts with a city tour about Ho Chi Minh - you'll see his mausoleum exterior, visit his modest stilt house and the One Pillar Pagoda in the Ho Chi Minh Quarter. Then you'll check out the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university from 700 years ago. After that you transfer to the airport for your included flight to Da Nang and drive to your resort in Hoi An for a three-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hanoi City Tour
- View Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum exterior
- Visit Ho Chi Minh Quarter with stilt house
- Visit One Pillar Pagoda
- Explore Temple of Literature
Optional Activities
- Hoi An Memories Show
Landmarks Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Ho Chi Minh Stilt House One Pillar Pagoda Temple of Literature 
- Day 6
Hoi An
You'll start at the Reaching Out Project, an NGO from 2000 that helps people with disabilities learn employment skills. The workshop visit shows how they support community integration. Then you'll walk through Hoi An seeing old merchant houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge, and the Assembly Hall of the Chinese Congregation. After trying street food for dinner, the evening is yours to explore the lantern-lit Old Town streets and browse shops or bars.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner sampling local style street food)
Included Activities
- Visit Reaching Out Project
- Walking tour of Hoi An
- Visit old merchant houses
- Visit Japanese Covered Bridge
- Visit Assembly Hall of the Chinese Congregation
- Dinner sampling local street food
Landmarks Reaching Out Project Japanese Covered Bridge Assembly Hall of the Chinese Congregation - Day 7
Hoi An
This day is yours to explore Hoi An and the surrounding area however you like. You could visit the Old Town and check out the famous tailors, take a cyclo ride to An Bang Beach, or pick from several optional excursions available for extra cost.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Old Town
- Visit local tailors
- Cyclo ride to An Bang Beach
- My Son Historic Kingdom Tour
- Hoi An Rural Life tour
- Ba Na Hills & Golden Hands Bridge tour
- Thu Bon River Sunset Cruise
- Red Bridge Cooking Class
Landmarks An Bang Beach My Son Historic Kingdom Ba Na Hills Golden Hands Bridge Thu Bon River - Day 8
Hoi An to Hue
You'll leave Hoi An heading toward Hue, driving through Danang and crossing the Hai Van Pass before reaching the fishing village of Lang Co. In Hue you'll tour the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled from 1802 to 1945, then take a cyclo ride from the Old City to Tinh Tam Lake where emperors once relaxed. A boat trip follows on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda. After checking in you'll have a traditional Vietnamese royal dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional Vietnamese royal dinner menu)
Included Activities
- Visit Imperial Citadel
- Cyclo ride from Dai Noi Old City 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 Perfume River 
- Day 9
Hue to Ho Chi Minh City
You'll transfer to Hue airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly called Saigon. Once you check into your hotel the rest of the day is open for you to explore the city at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Ho Chi Minh City
- Day 10
Ho Chi Minh City
You'll drive from Ho Chi Minh City toward Cu Chi Tunnels, watching the skyline fade as rice paddies and villages appear. With a local guide you'll spend a couple hours walking the grounds at Cu Chi. Back in the city you'll have pho for lunch, then the afternoon and evening are yours to spend at leisure or join an optional excursion.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Pho (noodle soup) lunch)
Included Activities
- Visit Cu Chi Tunnels with local guide
- Pho lunch
Optional Activities
- Evening Saigon Street Food walking tour
- Saigon After Dark by Vintage Jeep tour
Landmarks Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 11
Ho Chi Minh City
After checking out you'll take a guided city tour seeing Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House, and Town Hall, then visit Reunification Palace. You'll transfer to the port and board Emerald Harmony. The ship sails down the Saigon River to Cho Gao canal where you'll anchor for the night. Dinner on board is followed by a port talk from your Cruise Director.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner on board with fellow travelers)
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Ho Chi Minh City
- Visit Notre Dame Cathedral
- Visit Opera House
- Visit Town Hall
- Visit Reunification Palace
- Dinner on board
Landmarks Notre Dame Cathedral Opera House Town Hall Reunification Palace - Day 12
Mekong Delta
This morning the ship cruises through Cho Gao canal, one of Vietnam's major waterways with around 1,800 vessels passing daily. Once on the Mekong River you'll visit Tan My Floating community in the afternoon, then bike through local plantations stopping at a mushroom farm, fruit farm for sampling, and a honey farm. By evening you'll sail to Sa Đéc, a lesser-known spot in the Mekong Delta.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Cho Gao canal
- Visit Thoi Binh hamlet and its farming and fishing communities
- Visit Tan My Floating community
- Tour through local plantations
- Visit mushroom farm
- Visit fruit farm with sampling
- Visit honey farm with local sweets
Landmarks Cho Gao Canal Tan My Floating Community Thoi Binh Hamlet Mekong River - Day 13
Sa Đéc
A short sampan ride takes you to Sa Đéc for a walking tour that includes the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, who inspired Marguerite Duras' novel L'Amant, and the bustling central market. You'll return to Emerald Harmony by sampan, then sail to My An Hung Island. This small rural village focuses on growing red-hot chilli and peppers, and locals will share folk songs during your visit.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sampan ride to Sa Đéc
- Walking tour of Sa Đéc
- Visit home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le
- Visit Sa Dec central market
- Return by sampan to Emerald Harmony
- Visit My An Hung village
- Listen to local folk singing
Landmarks Sa Đéc Sa Dec Central Market Mr. Huynh Thuy Le's House My An Hung Island - Day 14
Cu Lao Gieng Island
You'll visit Cu Lao Gieng, called 'Mango Island' - a small scenic spot along the upper Mekong that sees few tourists. A local motorcycle rickshaw takes you through villages to see mango farming, boat building operations, and an incense stick factory for temples. The afternoon is free on board before a traditional Lion Dance performance happens in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Travel by motorcycle rickshaw through Cu Lao Gieng villages
- Visit local industries: mango farming, boat building, incense stick factory
- Lion Dance performance on board
Landmarks Cu Lao Gieng Island - Day 15
Evergreen Island to Tan Chau
A sampan ride takes you to Evergreen Island for a walk through a local village so you can see how farming families live. You'll return by sampan to Tan Chau and visit the local Cao Dai Temple to learn about this monotheistic religion established in 1926. A local cyclo ride gets you back to your sampan, then you'll return to Emerald Harmony before sailing toward the Vietnam-Cambodia border.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sampan ride to Evergreen Island
- Walk through local village on Evergreen Island
- Visit Cao Dai Temple
- Xe Loi ride back to sampan
Landmarks Evergreen Island Tan Chau Cao Dai Temple - Day 16
Phnom Penh
You wake up in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital known as the 'Pearl of Asia.' A short drive takes you to Choeung Ek Killing Fields where you'll walk the grounds and visit the memorial. Then you'll tour Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former school turned Khmer Rouge prison. The afternoon is free for optional activities, visiting Central Market, or relaxing on board. This evening you'll take a tuk-tuk tour through the city lights.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Killing Fields at Choeung Ek
- Visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
- Evening remork tour through Phnom Penh
Optional Activities
- Visit Central Market
- Silk farm tour at Koh Oknha Tei
- Craft Beer Adventure by remork
- Samai Distillery tour
Landmarks Killing Fields at Choeung Ek Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Central Market Koh Oknha Tei - Day 17
Oudong to Phnom Penh
North of Phnom Penh, you'll visit Oudong, Cambodia's former royal capital until 1866. Start with the Oudong Monastery and Temples, including burial sites of Khmer kings and religious artifacts over a century old. Resident monks give a traditional Buddhist blessing. The afternoon takes you to the Royal Palace with its French gardens and Silver Pagoda. Back on board you'll see a cultural performance before sailing to Rokar Koang further up the Mekong.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Oudong Monastery and Temples
- Receive traditional Buddhist blessing from monks
- Visit Royal Palace
- Visit French-inspired gardens
- Visit Silver Pagoda
- Cultural Performance by the Cambodian Student and Children's Organisation
Landmarks Oudong Monastery Royal Palace Silver Pagoda - Day 18
Rokar Koang to Siem Reap
You'll leave Emerald Harmony in the morning and drive to Siem Reap for a three-night stay at the Shinta Mani, a deluxe boutique property with world-class design honoring local aesthetics. This evening you'll attend Phare, The Cambodian Circus, where acrobatics, music, and dance tell a uniquely Cambodian story. A DiscoverMORE dinner option is available to further support Phare's mission.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Phare Cambodian Circus performance
Optional Activities
- Local Fare dinner at Phare Circus
Landmarks Phare Cambodian Circus - Day 19
Siem Reap
You'll start at Angkor Thom, not just one temple but a remarkable royal city from the Angkor Period - the last capital of the Khmer Empire with priests, officials, military, and administrative buildings. Then you'll visit Ta Prohm, where jungle roots have reclaimed this spiritual temple in wild vegetation, the backdrop to many Hollywood scenes. This evening is free to visit Pub Street or try a DiscoverMORE option.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Angkor Thom
- Visit Ta Prohm Temple
Optional Activities
- Vespa tour of Siem Reap
- Evening Gondola Boat ride at Banyon with drinks
- Evening Cambodian Street Food Discovery Tour
- Evening Local Fare at Phare Circus
Landmarks Angkor Thom Ta Prohm Temple Pub Street - Day 20
Siem Reap
You'll watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat, then walk through this UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its intricate carvings. The afternoon offers leisure time to explore the town or join a DiscoverMORE excursion. Later you'll have an immersive farewell dinner accompanied by an Apsara dance performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Apsara dance performance and farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Sunrise visit to Angkor Wat
- Walk through Angkor Wat
- Apsara dance performance and farewell dinner
Optional Activities
- Siem Reap Countryside by Vespa
- Banteay Srei Temple and APOPO tour
- Tonlé Sap and Lotus Workshop
- Khmer Cooking Class
- Senteurs d'Angkor Workshop
Landmarks Angkor Wat - Day 21
Siem Reap to Luang Prabang
After a morning at leisure in Siem Reap you'll take your included flight to Luang Prabang and check into your hotel for a three-night stay within walking distance of the famous night markets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore night markets
Landmarks Luang Prabang Night Markets - Day 22
Luang Prabang
You'll explore UNESCO-listed Old Town landmarks including the 16th century temple Wat Xieng Thong and the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. Later a boat cruise on the Mekong stops at a local village known for traditional rice wine, then continues to Pak Ou Caves filled with thousands of multi-sized golden Buddhas. Back in Luang Prabang locals will teach you Pétanque. The evening is free to shop for souvenirs and eat at the vibrant night market.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Wat Xieng Thong
- Visit National Museum (former Royal Palace)
- Boat cruise along Mekong River
- Stop at rice wine village
- Visit Pak Ou Caves
- Learn to play Pétanque
Optional Activities
- Shop at night market
- Sample local cuisine at night market
Landmarks Wat Xieng Thong National Museum Pak Ou Caves Mekong River - Day 23
Luang Prabang
You'll rise early to see Buddhist monks silently collecting alms through the atmospheric streets. Later you'll travel to Kuang Si Waterfalls, a set of tiered falls and swimming holes in the lush jungle. The afternoon includes an optional DiscoverMORE excursion before your Farewell Dinner with fellow guests this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell Dinner with fellow guests)
Included Activities
- Witness Buddhist monks collecting alms
- Visit Kuang Si Waterfalls
- Farewell Dinner
Optional Activities
- Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Centre – natural dyeing class
- Ban Chan (Laos Pottery House) – Pottery lesson
Landmarks Kuang Si Waterfalls Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Centre Ban Chan - Day 24
Luang Prabang to Bangkok
After breakfast you'll say goodbye to Laos and transfer to the airport for your included flight to Bangkok, Thailand, where your Indochina journey comes to an end.
- Meals
- Breakfast
