Grand Tour of Vietnam & Cambodia

Return economy flights from London Heathrow or Manchester are included in the price of your holiday.

Xin Chao and welcome to Hanoi! On arrival, you will be met by your Emerald Waterways representative and transferred to your hotel situated in downtown Hanoi. Relax at the hotel, explore the city or wander Hanoi’s romantic West Lake. This evening, meet your Tour Director for your welcome briefing.

Today you will enjoy a full-day city tour of Hanoi. The tour includes the main sights of the city including the outside view of by the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, which is the historic figure and father of modern Vietnam. Continue to the small but iconic One Pillar pagoda and to the Temple of Literature. The temple of Literature was Vietnam’s first university and it was established to educate Vietnam’s royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past. As part of EmeraldPLUS, you will enjoy lunch at KOTO (Know One Teach One), a unique restaurant set up to train and educate disadvantaged street children. After lunch, continue with a visit to Hanoi’s Old Quarter also known as the ‘36 streets’. Take a walking tour through charming Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake, as well as a stop at Ngoc Son temple. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It is a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities. This evening, enjoy a traditional Water Puppet performance. EmeraldPLUS: Lunch at KOTO Restaurant

This morning after breakfast, leave Hanoi and travel to Halong Bay, where you will board your luxurious traditional style junk. Cruise through the bays and islets enjoying the stunning scenery of this magnificent region. Enjoy some tours offered onboard and learn more about the main livelihood of the locals in the area or relax on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board. DiscoverMORE: One Way Scenic Flight Over Halong Bay (extra expense)

Today, you will be transferred to your day trip boat tour with private crew and cruise to the bay’s most untouched areas. Enjoy swimming on quiet beaches, visiting water tunnels, fishing villages or kayaking. Lunch is served onboard of the boat by your private chef. Return in the evening hours after a full day of exploration to your traditional junk boat.

Enjoy the fresh morning in the middle of the bay while having breakfast and cruising through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Bid farewell to the traditional style junk boat on Halong Bay and transfer to Hanoi airport, with a stop en-route for a light lunch at a local restaurant. At the airport in Hanoi, board your flight to Danang (Hoi An). Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in the historic port town of Hoi An and relax for the rest of the evening. Included is a three-night stay in Hoi An.

Today start with our EmeraldPLUS visit to the Reaching Out Project. Reaching Out is an NGO established in 2000, which provides opportunities for people with disability to learn skills and gain meaningful employment. Visit their workshop and get a glimpse how this NGO helps the disabilities to integrate fully with their communities and lead independent and fulfilling lives. In the afternoon, enjoy a half day tour of Hoi An and see old merchant’s houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Assembly Hall of the Chinese Congregation. EmeraldPLUS: Visit to Reaching Out NGO

Enjoy a day of leisure to explore Hoi An and its surroundings. DiscoverMORE: Vietnamese cooking class (extra expense) or Visit to My Son (extra expense)

Leave Hoi An for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. You will drive through Danang before crossing the Pass of Ocean Clouds and 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. As part of your EmeraldPLUS Take a cyclo (bicycle style rickshaw) from Dai Noi “Old City” to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to come to relax. Then later, join a boat trip to visit Thien Mu Pagoda. This evening, experience a traditional costume play Royal Dinner. EmeraldPLUS: Cyclo ride through Dai Noi, boat tour to Thien Mu Pagoda & Royal Dinner

Today, transfer to Hue airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, transfer to your hotel to store the luggage. In the afternoon, you will have a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City, starting with a visit to the city’s most iconic building: Reunification Hall. Formerly called the 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 the Ho Chi Minh City’s colonial quarter, walking past scenes of everyday life on the way. Admire the beautiful architecture of the Opera House, City Hall, the old Saigon Post Office, listen to the stories about the glory days of French Indochina and how that era continues to influence aspects of modern Vietnamese culture. Included is a two-night stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

Drive away from Ho Chi Minh City, watching the city skyline fade into the distance as the road winds through rice paddies, villages and other scenes typical to southern Vietnam. Spend a couple of hours walking around Cu Chi’s rugged grounds with a local guide. Hear how the residents constructed an intricate, underground network of tunnels during the French and American Wars. Hear incredible tales about the unusual foods the residents ate to survive and much more. Once above ground, see other ingenious items used by the residents to defend themselves such as bamboo traps and camouflaged pits. Your afternoon is at leisure. DiscoverMORE: Evening Saigon street food tour (extra expense)

Today, transfer from your hotel and embark on your Emerald Waterways award-winning river cruise Star-Ship and be welcomed by your Captain and crew.

Set sail to My Tho in the Mekong Delta, and this evening, enjoy your first dinner on board with your fellow travellers.

Your Tour Director will also conduct a port talk to review the activities and itinerary for the days ahead.

This morning you will be taken to the village of Ðat Dua, where you will watch a coconut candy and other fruits workshop. Then, visit the Tan Long Pagoda. Return to the star-ship and sail to Sa Dec.

Start your day with a visit to the Chinese congregational house in Kien An Cung. Afterwards, visit the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, who inspired Marguerite Duras’ novel, L’Amant, and take a walk through the central market in town. Return to the star-ship and sail to My An Hung village.

In the afternoon, as part of EmeraldPLUS, you will have a chance to visit this lovely and unspoiled place. EmeraldPLUS: Visit to My An Hung village

This morning is at leisure for you to explore on your own of if you prefer, to take part on the DiscoverMORE – optional tour (at additional expense) of the Ramsar Bird Sanctuary. In the afternoon, embark on a visit to the Long Khanh Island.

There, you will visit a local family and learn about scarf weaving. Then, visit the Hoa Hao Buddhist pagoda and a grapefruit garden.

Return to the star-ship and this evening be delighted by a Lion Dance performance on-board. EmeraldPLUS: Lion Dance performance on-board DiscoverMORE: Visit to Ramsar Bird Sanctuary (extra expense)

As part of EmeraldPLUS, visit a unique family-owned Lanh My A silk producing factory. The silk product is created with dyes made from the mac nua fruit, a kind of wood tree, which originally came from Tan Chau silk village about 100 years ago.

Here, you will learn more about the long-complicated silk making process and have a chance to touch the real Lanh My A silk.

Continue the visit, embark one of our sampans to Evergreen island for a walk through a local village to get a glimpse into the lives of the local farming community. Re-board your luxury star-ship and cruise to the border between Vietnam and Cambodia. EmeraldPLUS: Visit to family-owned Lanh My A silk producing factory

Wake up in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. The city was once known as the “Pearl of Asia”, but it was almost entirely evacuated by the Khmer Rouge in 1975. This morning, we learn more about the Khmer Rouge and the darkest days of Cambodian history. A short drive will take you to the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek.

Where you will have the opportunity to walk through the fields, visit the small museum and learn about this sad chapter in history. Then, you will visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S-21). This is a former school that was converted to the main prison and torture headquarters of the Khmer Rouge.

In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to visit the majestic Royal Palace with its gardens and Central Market located in the heart of the city.

In the evening, you will have a chance to experience an evening tuk-tuk ride through Phnom Penh ending on a rooftop terrace, where you will enjoy a beverage and take in the great views of the city as part of EmeraldPLUS. EmeraldPLUS: Phnom Penh tuk-tuk drive by Night DiscoverMORE: Vespa tour of Phnom Penh (extra expense)

Start your day with an ox cart ride before visiting the Wat Kampong Tralach and the Oudong Temples. Located North of Phnom Penh, Oudong is the former royal capital of Cambodia up until it moved to Phnom Penh in the 1800s.

Important remnants on the temple sight include the burial sites of Khmer kings as well as religious artefacts dating back more than a hundred years. In one of the Oudong Temple there was a known large Buddha statue which was damaged during skirmishes with the Khmer Rouge which had the hill as one of their last strongholds. Receive a traditional Buddhist Blessing from the temple resident monks as part of your EmeraldPLUS.

The afternoon is yours to continue exploring or simply relax on board of your Star-Ship. EmeraldPLUS: ox cart ride & traditional Buddhist Monk blessing DiscoverMORE: Silk Farm tour at Koh Oknha Tei (extra expense) or Visit to Koh Chen Silversmith village (extra expense)

Bid farewell to your luxury Star-Ship in the morning and continue by road to Siem Reap. On route to the city, you will have a chance to view and walk over the impressive Angkor Bridge in Kampong Kdei.

Continue to Siem Reap, where you will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Siem Reap is known as the gateway to the magnificent temples of Angkor, and this vibrant city has a lot to offer. This evening, witness the incredible Phare Cambodian Circus, a spectacle of acrobatics, theatre and music. Phare is an NGO founded by Cambodian refugees to assist disadvantaged young people by teaching them performing arts.

Included is a three-night stay in Siem Reap. EmeraldPLUS: Phare Cambodian Circus performance

Today, start with a visit to the Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer Empire. It was a fortified city, home to priests, officials of the palace and military, as well as buildings for administering the kingdom.

The city was established in the late twelfth century by King Jayavarman VII and covers an area of 9 square kilometres.

After the tour, visit the sacred Temple of Ta Prohm, overgrown by jungle trees. DiscoverMORE: Vespa Tour of Siem Reap (extra expense)

Rise early and embark on a fascinating journey to Angkor Wat. This UNESCO World-Heritage Site is known for its elaborate decorations and intricate carvings throughout.

Enjoy a sun rise views and take the opportunity to capture quintessential pictures of Angkor Wat. Return to the hotel and enjoy the day at leisure.

This evening, enjoy a farewell evening dinner together with a performance. DiscoverMore: Visit to Banteay Srei or Artisans d’Angkor workshop or Visit to Tonle Sap or Culinary Cambodia tour (all extra expense)

Today, you will be transferred to the airport to catch your onward or homebound flight.

Welcome home.

Return economy flights from London Heathrow or Manchester are included in the price of your holiday.

Sous Sdei and Welcome to Cambodia. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Siem Reap. In the evening, meet your Tour Director to learn more about the days ahead.

Today, start with a visit to the Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer Empire. It was a fortified city, home to priests, officials of the palace and military, as well as buildings for administering the kingdom. The city was established in the late twelfth century by King Jayavarman VII and covers an area of 9 square kilometres. After the tour, visit the sacred Temple of Ta Prohm, overgrown by jungle trees. This evening, witness the incredible Phare Cambodian Circus, a spectacle of acrobatics, theatre and music. Phare is an NGO founded by Cambodian refugees to assist disadvantaged young people by teaching them performing arts. Included is a three-night stay in Siem Reap. EmeraldPLUS: Phare Cambodian Circus performance DiscoverMORE: Vespa tour of Siem Reap (extra expense)

Rise early and embark on a fascinating journey to Angkor Wat. This UNESCO World-Heritage Site is known for its elaborate decorations and intricate carvings throughout. Enjoy a sun rise views and take the opportunity to capture quintessential pictures of Angkor Wat. Return to the hotel and enjoy the day at leisure. This evening, enjoy a gala evening dinner together with a performance. DiscoverMORE: Visit to Banteay Srei or Artisans d’Angkor workshop or Visit to Tonle Sap or Culinary Cambodia tour (all extra expense)

Today, leave Siem Reap and venture to the town of Prek’kdam to embark on your Emerald Waterways award-winning river cruise Star-Ship. On route to the ship, stop in Kampong Kdei and see the impressive Angkor Bridge, continue and have lunch on a local restaurant. Arrive in Prek’kdam and be welcomed by your Captain and crew. Later, set sail to Kampong Tralach and enjoy your first dinner on board with your fellow travellers.

Start your day with an ox cart ride before visiting the Wat Kampong Tralach and the Oudong Temples. Located North of Phnom Penh, Oudong is the former royal capital of Cambodia up until it moved to Phnom Penh in the 1800s. Important remnants on the temple sight include the burial sites of Khmer kings as well as religious artefacts dating back more than a hundred years. In one of the Oudong Temple there was a known large Buddha statue which was damaged during skirmishes with the Khmer Rouge which had the hill as one of their last strongholds. Receive a traditional Buddhist Blessing from the temple resident monks as part of EmeraldPLUS. The afternoon is yours to continue exploring or simply relax on board of your Star-Ship. EmeraldPLUS: ox cart ride & traditional Buddhist Monk blessing DiscoverMORE: Silk farm tour at Koh Oknha Tei (extra expense) OR Visit to Koh Chen Silversmith village (extra expense)

Wake up in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. The city was once known as the “Pearl of Asia”, but it was almost entirely evacuated by the Khmer Rouge in 1975. This morning, we learn more about the Khmer Rouge and the darkest days of Cambodian history. A short drive will take you to the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek. Where you will have the opportunity to walk through the fields and learn about this sad chapter in history. Then, you will visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S-21). This is a former school that was converted to the main prison and torture headquarters of the Khmer Rouge. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to visit the majestic Royal Palace with its gardens and central market located in the heart of the city. In the evening, you will have a chance to experience an evening tuk-tuk ride through Phnom Penh ending on a rooftop terrace, where you will enjoy a beverage and take in the great views of the city as part of EmeraldPLUS. EmeraldPLUS: Phnom Penh tuk-tuk drive by Night DiscoverMORE: Vespa tour of Phnom Penh (extra expense)

As part of your EmeraldPLUS, visit a unique family-owned Lanh My A silk producing factory. The silk product is created with dyes made from the mac nua fruit, a kind of wood tree, which originally came from Tan Chau silk village about 100 years ago. Here, you will learn more about the long-complicated silk making process and have a chance to touch the real Lanh My A silk. Continue the visit, take one of our sampans to Evergreen island for a walk through a local village to get a glimpse into the lives of the local farming community. Re-board your luxury star-ship and cruise to the border between Cambodia and Vietnam. EmeraldPLUS: Visit to family-owned Lanh My A silk producing factory

This morning, embark on a visit to the Long Khanh Island. There, you will visit a local family and learn about scarf weaving. Then, visit the Hoa Hao Buddhist pagoda and a grapefruit garden. The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore on your own of if you prefer, to take part on the DiscoverMORE – optional tour (at additional expense) of the Ramsar Bird Sanctuary. Return to the star-ship and this evening be delighted by a lion dance performance on-board. EmeraldPLUS: Lion Dance Performance on board DiscoverMORE: Visit to Ramsar Bird Sanctuary (extra expense)

Start your day with a visit to My An Hung village. As part of EmeraldPLUS, a visit this lovely and unspoiled place will surely mesmerize you. Return to the ship and Sail to Sa Dec, and in the afternoon visit the Chinese congregational house in Kien An Cung. Afterwards, visit the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, who inspired Marguerite Duras’ novel, L’Amant, and take a walk through the central market in town. EmeraldPLUS: Visit to My An Hung village

This morning you will be taken to the village of Ðat Dua, where you will watch a coconut candy and other fruits workshop. Then, visit the Tan Long Pagoda. Return to the star-ship and sail to Ho Chi Minh City.

Bid farewell to your luxury Star-Ship in the morning and transfer to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. You will have a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City, starting with a visit to the city’s most iconic building: Reunification Hall. Formerly called the 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 the Ho Chi Minh City’s colonial quarter, walking past scenes of everyday life on the way. Admire the beautiful architecture of the Opera House, City Hall, the old Saigon Post Office, listen to the stories about the glory days of French Indochina and how that era continues to influence aspects of modern Vietnamese culture. Included is a two-night stay in Ho Chi Minh City. DiscoverMORE: Evening Saigon Street Food Tour (extra expense)

Drive away from Ho Chi Minh City, watching the city skyline fade into the distance as the road winds through rice paddies, villages and other scenes typical to southern Vietnam. Spend a couple of hours walking around Cu Chi’s rugged grounds with a local guide. Hear how the residents constructed an intricate, underground network of tunnels during the French and American Wars. Hear incredible tales about the unusual foods the residents ate to survive and much more. Once above ground, see other ingenious items used by the residents to defend themselves such as bamboo traps and camouflaged pits. Upon your return in Ho Chi Minh City, your afternoon today is free at leisure to relax.

Today transfer from your hotel to the airport to catch your connecting flight to Hue. Hue was the former capital of Vietnam, you will visit the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. As part of EmeraldPLUS Take a cyclo (bicycle style rickshaw) from Dai Noi “Old City” to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to come to relax. Then later, join a boat trip to visit Thien Mu Pagoda. This evening, experience a traditional costume play royal dinner. EmeraldPLUS: Cyclo ride through Dai Noi, boat tour to Thien Mu Pagoda & royal dinner

You will drive through Danang and other picturesque villages to reach Hoi An. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in the historic port town of Hoi An and relax for the rest of the evening. Included is a three-night stay in Hoi An.

Today start with our EmeraldPLUS visit to the Reaching Out Project. Reaching Out is an NGO established in 2000, which provides opportunities for people with disability to learn skills and gain meaningful employment. Visit their workshop and get a glimpse how this NGO helps the disabilities to integrate fully with their communities and lead independent and fulfilling lives. In the afternoon, enjoy a half day tour of Hoi An and see old merchant’s houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Assembly Hall of the Chinese Congregation EmeraldPLUS: Visit to Reaching Out NGO

Enjoy a day of leisure to explore Hoi An and its surroundings. DiscoverMORE: Vietnamese cooking class (extra expense) or Visit to My Son (extra expense)

Enjoy a morning a morning drive to Danang Airport for your flight to Hanoi with a stop en-route for a light lunch at a local restaurant. At the airport in Danang board your flight to Hanoi. Vietnam’s Capital has many incredible sights and your tour director is at your disposal to help you with tips to spend the rest of your day.

This morning after breakfast, leave Hanoi and travel to Halong Bay, where you will board your luxurious traditional style junk. Cruise through the bays and islets enjoying the stunning scenery of this magnificent region. Enjoy some tours offered onboard and learn more about the main livelihood of the locals in the area or relax on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board. DiscoverMORE: one-way Scenic Flight Over Halong Bay (extra expense)

Today, you will be transferred to your day trip boat tour with private crew and cruise to the bay’s most untouched areas. Enjoy swimming on quiet beaches, visiting water tunnels, fishing villages or kayaking. Lunch is served onboard of the boat by your private chef. Return in the evening hours after a full day of exploration to your traditional junk boat.

Return to Hanoi and enjoy a full-day city tour of Hanoi. The tour includes the main sights of the city including the outside view of by the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, which is the historic figure and father of modern Vietnam. Continue to the small but iconic One Pillar pagoda and to the Temple of Literature. The temple of Literature was Vietnam’s first university and it was established to educate Vietnam’s royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past. As part of EmeraldPLUS, you will enjoy lunch at KOTO (Know One Teach One), a unique restaurant set up to train and educate disadvantaged street children. After lunch, continue with a visit to Hanoi’s Old Quarter also known as the ‘36 streets’. Take a walking tour through charming Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake, as well as a stop at Ngoc Son temple. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It is a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities. This evening, enjoy a traditional Water Puppet performance. EmeraldPLUS: Lunch at KOTO Restaurant

Today, you will be transferred to the airport to catch your onward or homebound flight.

Welcome Home