Begin your luxury river cruise in Hanoi before cruising the waterways of Halong Bay in a traditional junk boat. Reach Hoi An for a leisurely three-night stay, and venture to Siem Reap to witness Angkor Wat and attend a spectacular circus performance. You’ll learn about the sad history of Phnom Penh and its inspiring revival before finishing your cruise with an eventful stay in Ho Chi Minh City.
ER26-EH-07APR26-20-25391
Emerald Harmony
20 Nights
Departing Hanoi
Vietnam and Cambodia
Tuesday, 7 April 2026
Fares are in NZD (New Zealand Dollar)
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.
Inclusions: Dinner
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
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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, explore the 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. Then 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 Kiem 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
Temple of Literature
Included Excursion
Visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter
A traditional water puppet show
Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Bid farewell to Hanoi and transfer to Hanoi airport to board your flight to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, before checking into your hotel 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
Hanoi’s City Tour
Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning 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 used to go to relax. Then take a boat trip to visit Thien Mu Pagoda. Leaving Hue for Hoi An, drive past the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co and up and over Hâi Vân Pass, known as the Ocean Clouds Pass before dropping down to Danang and then Hoi An. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your resort for your included three-night stay. Tonight join a DiscoverMORE excursion.
DiscoverMORE
Hoi An Memories Show (extra expense)
Included Excursion
A visit to the Imperial Citadel
Included Excursion
Cyclo ride from Dai Noi ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake
Included Excursion
A boat tour on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda
Inclusions: Breakfast
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 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
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch
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
Thu Bon River Sunset Cruise (extra expense)
Inclusions: Breakfast
Today, transfer to Danang airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Sous Sdei and welcome to Cambodia. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for your included three-night stay in Siem Reap. Today meet your Cambodian local guide to learn more about the days ahead.
Inclusions: Breakfast
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 afternoon is free time to visit the markets or try a DiscoverMORE tour.
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.
EmeraldPLUS
Phare Cambodian Circus performance.
Included Excursion
Visit to Angkor Thom
Included Excursion
Visit to Ta Prohm Temple
DiscoverMORE
Siem Reap Countryside by Vespa (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE
Evening – Sunset Drinks Gondola Boat at Bayon (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE
Evening - Cambodian Street Food Discovery Tour (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE
Evening – Local Fare at Phare Circus (extra expense)
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch
Rise early and witness the sunrise over Angkor Wat. Afterwards walk through this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site known for its elaborate decorations and intricate carvings throughout. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore Siem Reap, or join a DiscoverMORE excursion. Later, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy an immersive evening and highlight 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
Banteay Srei Temple and APOPO (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE
Tonlé Sap (extra expense, July to February)
DiscoverMORE
Khmer Cooking Class (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE
Senteurs d’Angkor Workshop (extra expense)
Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, leave Siem Reap and venture to the town of Prek K’Dam to embark your Emerald Cruises award-winning Star-Ship. En route, stop in Kampong Kdei and see the impressive Angkor Bridge, before having lunch at a local restaurant. On arrival, you’ll be welcomed by your captain and crew. Later, set sail up the Tonle River to Kampong Tralach whilst you enjoy your first dinner on board with your fellow guests.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin the day with an Ox Cart ride in Kampong Tralach to a local temple before driving to Oudong. Oudong was Cambodia’s former royal capital until it relocated to Phnom Penh in 1866. In Oudong Monastery’s main temple, receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the resident monks, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience.
Return to Emerald Harmony and sail to Phnom Penh. Spend the afternoon at leisure, either experiencing one of our DiscoverMORE excursions, visiting the Central Market, or relaxing on board. After dinner, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy Phnom Penh by night on a remork (local Tuk-Tuk) tour.
EmeraldPLUS
A traditional Buddhist Monk blessing
EmeraldPLUS
Phnom Penh by night on a remork (Tuk-Tuk) tour
DiscoverMORE
A silk farm tour at Koh Oknha Tei (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE
Craft Beer Adventure by remork (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE
Samai Distillery (extra expense)
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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. Back on board, savour a Cambodian Street Fair lunch, before visiting the majestic Royal Palace, with its French-inspired gardens. This evening, for your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation, before sailing for the border.
EmeraldPLUS
Cultural Performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation
Included Excursion
Killing Fields at Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Included Excursion
A visit to the Royal Palace
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, you’ll cross the border into Vietnam and sail on to Tan Chau. Relax on board, or join our DiscoverMORE excursion to Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, before returning for a late lunch on board.
This afternoon, embark on a sampan to Evergreen Island for a stroll through a local village, revealing the lives of the local farming community. Reboard your sampan to travel back to Tan Chau and 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 before returning to Emerald Harmony where, later this evening as part of our EmeraldPLUS, programme, you’ll be delighted by a traditional Lion Dance performance on board.
EmeraldPLUS
A visit to a local Cao Dai Temple and Xe Loi ride
EmeraldPLUS
A Lion Dance performance on board
Included Excursion
A visit to Evergreen Island
DiscoverMORE
A visit to Tra Su Bird Sanctuary (extra expense)
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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 and sail to My An Hung Island. 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, wander through coconut farms and immerse yourself in traditional village life.
EmeraldPLUS
Listen to some local folk singing in My An Hung
Included Excursion
See the local industries in Gieng Island
Included Excursion
A visit to My An Hung village and its Monkey Bridge
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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 Cái Bè.
Upon arrival, travel via sampan to Tan Phong, a small island located nearby, rich in alluvial soil suitable for cultivating tropical fruit orchards year-round. At this established ecotourism destination, try a hands-on experience at a workshop specialising in weaving water hyacinth into artistic crafts. Board a motorised buggy for a ride through fruit orchards, stopping to sample tropical fruits. Reboard the sampan and cruise back to Cái Bè, discovering local cottage industries where families produce rice-paper and sweets from pop-corn, pop-rice and coconuts. Return to Emerald Harmony.
Included Excursion
A visit to the bustling Sa Dec Markets and the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le
Included Excursion
An excursion to the local industries of Cai Be
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After sailing from My Tho, you’ll leave the Mekong Delta and enter the Cho Gao canal, considered one of Vietnam’s major arterial canals that connects Tien Giang Province with Ho Chi Minh City. Today, you’ll be fascinated watching the heavy commercial traffic navigating this important waterway, where upwards of 1,800 vessels transit each day. Relax on board, taking in the everchanging vistas of mangroves, cargo barges and local fishing boats. Tonight, you’ll dock in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, where you can admire the city lights; due to Vietnamese customs regulations, you'll not be permitted to venture ashore.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After disembarkation, drive away from Ho Chi Minh City port to 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 rugged grounds with a local guide. Upon your return, enjoy a traditional Pho (noodle soup) lunch then check in to your hotel for your included two-night stay. Tonight join a DiscoverMORE excursion.
Included Excursion
Cu Chi Tunnels
DiscoverMORE
An evening Saigon Street Food walking tour (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE
One Night in Saigon (extra expense)
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch
Enjoy a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City, starting with a visit to the city’s most iconic building, the Reunification, or Independence Palace. Formerly the South Vietnamese Presidential Palace, images of the building were seen around the world on 30 April 1975 when tanks stormed the gates as Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese. Then, stroll through Ho Chi Minh City’s colonial quarter, walking past scenes of everyday life on the way. Admire the beautiful architecture of the Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral and the old Saigon Post Office and listen to the stories about the glory days of French Indochina and how that era continues to influence aspects of modern Vietnamese culture. Tonight, enjoy your farewell dinner with your fellow guests.
Included Excursion
An orientation tour of Ho Chi Minh City
Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to the Ho Chi Minh City 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.
Inclusions: Breakfast
| Cabin Size: | passenger(s) |
We have a no obligation reservation policy allows you to hold a cabin without payment.
Payment dates will be advised upon confirmation.
Payment dates will be advised upon confirmation.