Discover Vietnam & Beyond by River and Ocean: 21 days Siem Reap to Singapore

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. Stay at the beautiful Shinta Mani or similar, a deluxe boutique property of world-class design that takes great care in honouring the environment and paying homage to the traditional and local aesthetics. In the evening, you’ll meet your Cambodian tour director to learn more about the days ahead.

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: Experience Phare Circus, where theatre, music, dance and contemporary circus arts bring Cambodian stories to life. Performed by young artists from Phare Ponleu Selpak’s vocational training centre, each show explores the country’s history, folklore and contemporary life with energy and heart.

Included Excursion
Visit to Angkor Thom: Explore Angkor Thom, the last great capital of the Khmer Empire. Enter through its monumental gates and discover the Bayon Temple, renowned for its serene stone faces, alongside the Terrace of the Elephants. Ancient carvings and towering ruins reveal the scale and artistry of Cambodia’s imperial past.

Included Excursion
Visit to Ta Prohm Temple: Explore Ta Prohm, where ancient stone corridors and carved towers are entwined with towering tree roots. Built during the Khmer Empire, this atmospheric temple blends intricate architecture with the surrounding jungle, creating one of Angkor’s most evocative and distinctive settings.

DiscoverMORE
Evening – Local Fare at Phare Circus (extra expense)
Between Phare Boutique and the big top, you will discover Phare Café, an outdoor local ‘hawker market’ serving drinks, snacks and delicious Asian inspired meals. Start your evening entertainment dining at the Cambodian Street Food Festival. With your voucher grab a table and choose your dinner with drinks from a selection of Cambodian and other Asian specialty food stalls, all whilst enjoying the pre-show performances. By having dinner here you are further supporting the great work and mission of Phare’s social enterprise.
Activity Level: Easy, Duration: 1.5 hours

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Siem Reap Countryside by Vespa (extra expense)
Riding on the back of an iconic and elegant Vespa scooter, this is a tour like no other. This incredible tour will take you in style to the most authentic and fun experiences available in Siem Reap. You will be driven away from the tourists and into the Cambodian countryside where the splendour of these striking surroundings and its local people will let you discover a new side to Cambodia away from the temples. Exotic foods, drinks and experiences will let you experience Khmer life in the way the Khmer people do.
Activity Level: Active, Duration: 3 hours

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Gondola Boat ride at Bayon with drinks (extra expense)
On the moat of Angkor Thom, cruise the waters surrounding the ancient city wall in a private gondola paddle boat. Enjoy the scenery as you sip your sparkling wine and enjoy canapes on a 40-minute paddle out to the southwest corner of the wall. Enjoy the setting sun from your gondola boat before returning back to the South Gate of the city.
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 2.5 hours

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 dinner at Satcha Handicraft Centre, accompanied by an Apsara dance performance.

EmeraldPLUS
Apsara dance performance and dinner show: Experience the grace of Cambodia’s classical Apsara dance, where elegant hand gestures, intricate costumes and live traditional music bring ancient stories to life. This captivating performance celebrates the artistry and enduring cultural heritage of the Khmer people.

Included Excursion
Sunrise visit to Angkor Wat: Watch dawn break over Angkor Wat, as the temple’s iconic towers emerge against the changing sky. Explore the world’s largest religious monument, where detailed bas-reliefs and grand galleries reveal the artistry and spiritual legacy of the Khmer Empire.

DiscoverMORE
Banteay Srei Temple and APOPO (extra expense)
This afternoon travel to the “gem” of the Angkor area, the pretty temple of Banteay Srei. The so- called “Citadel of the Women” was built between the 11th and 13th century and remains the best preserved temple in Cambodia. It displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art as this small temple is noted for its truly remarkable fine bas-reliefs, depicting Hindu god Shiva. Banteay Srei is unique in that it is constructed of pink sandstone, which is seen nowhere else in Angkor. Continue on to the APOPO visitor centre for an exclusive tour of this fascinating and life-saving organization. Spend up to an hour learning about the devastating impact of explosives that lie buried in the Cambodian countryside and get first-hand experience about this creative solution to the problem.
Activity Level: Active, Duration: 3 hours

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Tonle Sap and Lotus Textiles (extra expense)
Tonle Sap is the largest lake in Southeast Asia as well as a UNESCO Biosphere site due to its ecology and endangered flora and fauna. The lake is of extreme importance to Cambodians who live on it and earn their living from fishing. The uniqueness of this lake lies in the fact that the water feeding it changes directions twice annually. As a result, the lake bottoms out during the dry season but can then swell by over 10 meters in the rainy season. You will have the unique opportunity to visit some of the local floating villages located on the lake and experience the lifestyle of these inhabitants. Before returning to your hotel, visit a local Cambodian handicraft factory, Samato Lotus Textiles to see how many products can be made from the flower of the Lotus.
Activity Level: Active, Duration: 3.5 hours

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Khmer Village Cooking Class (extra expense)
Uncover the secrets of Khmer cuisine with a hands-on Siem Reap cooking class. Join a chef to prepare the meal step by step, from buying the ingredients at a local market, to cooking them up in a traditional village kitchen. Taste delicious dishes and embrace the local culture throughout the experience.
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 3 hours

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Senteurs d’Angkor Workshop (extra expense)
Visit this Botanical garden to learn all about Cambodia’s herbs, spices and fruits and see locals at work in workshops dedicated to the preservation of the arts and crafts of Cambodia. Through the different workshop stations, be guided by the scents and flavours of Cambodia as local artisans make by hand soap with coconut oil, natural cosmetics, subtly scented balms, aromatic candles and also their packaging called “smok” and “krebei riel” boxes. Try your hand at making your own lip balm and packaging to take home as a keepsake.
Activity Level: Easy,  Duration: 3.5 hours

Today, leave Siem Reap and venture to the town of Rokar Koang 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, past Phnom Penh at night to Kampong Tralach whilst enjoying your first dinner on board with your fellow guests.

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: Receive a traditional blessing from a Buddhist monk in a local pagoda. Learn how to pray and take part in a meaningful ceremony that supports the resident monks’ daily meal, gaining a respectful insight into Cambodian spiritual traditions.

EmeraldPLUS
Phnom Penh by night on a remork (Tuk-Tuk) tour: See Phnom Penh after dark from a traditional remork, Cambodia’s tuk-tuk. Travel through lively streets and past illuminated landmarks, taking in the capital’s changing rhythm as markets, cafés and evening gatherings bring the city to life.

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A silk farm tour at Koh Oknha Tei (extra expense)
Board a ferry boat and cross the Mekong River to Koh Oknha Tei Island. Travel by tuk-tuk through the local villages and learn about the farmers lives with a stop at a villager’s house for some local fruit tasting. Continue to Chamka Snae Silk Craft where you can witness the entire process of silk creation, through the life cycle of the silk worm, to the harvesting of the silk cocoons and the creation of beautiful silk weavings on wooden hand looms. Best of all, you may find a lovely handmade souvenir of what you saw being created.
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 2.5 hours

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Craft Beer Adventure by remork (extra expense)
Travelling around Phnom Penh by local remork, visit a couple of local breweries to enjoy a tour of their facilities, and of course, some samples of their craft and local pub grub. Try tasting boards of some of Cambodia’s best–selling craft beers to determine which is your favourite to try again! The tour includes lively visits to an underground brewery, cosy beer gardens, personal brewery tours with the brewers, when available, giving you the opportunity to mix with the locals and expats at their favourite hangouts.
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 2.5 hours

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Samai Distillery (extra expense)
Embark on an immersive journey through the art of rum-making at Samai, Cambodia’s first premium rum distillery. Delve into the meticulous process behind creating handcrafted local rums, each one a testament to the unique flavour profiles and character derived from Cambodia’s rich terroir and natural resources. Engage your senses as you explore the raw materials, savour signature rum tastings, and uncover the secrets of crafting creative rum cocktails. Elevate your experience and skills with a hands-on bartending techniques training session led by an expert mixologist, where you’ll create your own cocktails. Then, immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the free-flow bar, accompanied by Latin music and a selection of cold cuts, as you soak in the ambiance before returning to the ship.
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 2.5 hours

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.

EmeraldPLUS
Cultural Performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation: Enjoy an engaging performance by young Cambodian artists, where traditional music and dance share stories of the country’s cultural heritage. Colourful costumes, graceful movements and live melodies create an uplifting celebration of Cambodia’s enduring artistic traditions.

Included Excursion
Killing Fields at Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: Visit the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum for a respectful insight into Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge era. Reflect among the memorials at Choeung Ek, then explore the former S-21 prison, bearing witness to those who suffered during this devastating period.

Included Excursion
Visit to the Royal Palace: Explore Phnom Penh’s Royal Palace, the ceremonial residence of Cambodia’s monarchy. Admire its ornate Khmer architecture, gilded roofs and elegant courtyards, then visit the Silver Pagoda, home to treasured Buddhist artworks. This striking complex offers a vivid introduction to Cambodia’s royal traditions and spiritual heritage.

Today, enjoy a relaxing morning on board Emerald Harmony as you sail to the Cambodia and Vietnam border. Cross the border into Vietnam, then continue onwards to Tan Chau.

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 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
Lion Dance on board: Enjoy a traditional lion dance performed by young artists from rural Vietnam. Colourful lions, dragons and unicorns move to the rhythmic sound of drums, cymbals and gongs in a vibrant performance believed to ward off evil spirits and welcome good fortune.

Included Excursion
A visit to Evergreen Island: Explore Evergreen Island, where peaceful waterways and lush landscapes reveal the rhythms of Mekong Delta life. Wander through rural lanes and meet local residents, discovering everyday traditions shaped by the island’s close connection to the river.

Included Excursion
Local Cao Dai Temple and Xe Loi ride: Visit a local Cao Dai Temple to discover the distinctive beliefs and vivid symbolism of this Vietnamese faith. Then ride by xe lôi, a traditional form of transport unique to the Mekong Delta, along rural lanes framed by everyday village life and verdant landscapes.

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 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 local folk singing in My An Hung: In My An Hung, listen to local folk singing that brings the village’s cultural traditions to life. The gentle melodies and shared performance offer a warm insight into the community’s heritage and everyday spirit.

Included Excursion
Local industries on Gieng Island: Discover the local industries of Gieng Island, where skilled artisans preserve traditional livelihoods passed down through generations. Visit family-run workshops to see the work behind handmade crafts and local produce, gaining an engaging insight into the island’s resourceful community and enduring traditions.

Included Excursion
My An Hung Village: Step into everyday life in My An Hung, a rural village in the Mekong Delta. Discover traditional Vietnamese customs through local crafts and cultural performances, meet residents and experience the warmth of a community where time-honoured traditions remain part of daily life.

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 popcorn, pop-rice and coconuts. Return to Emerald Harmony.

Included Excursion
Mr. Huynh Thuy Le and bustling Sa Ðéc: Discover the lively Mekong town of Sa Ðéc, where colourful market stalls and riverside streets reveal everyday local life. Visit the former home of Huynh Thuy Le, whose romance with French novelist Marguerite Duras inspired The Lover, and explore its blend of Chinese, French and Vietnamese architectural influences.

Included Excursion
An excursion to the local industries of Cai Be: Discover Cai Be’s local industries, where family-run workshops preserve traditional skills and flavours. See how regional specialities are made using time-honoured methods, meet the people behind these small-scale enterprises and gain an engaging insight into the Mekong Delta’s industrious community life.

After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to your Emerald luxury yacht. An overnight stay offers the opportunity to experience both its cultural depth and fast-evolving urban rhythm, which turns up the volume after dark.

The city reflects its complex past through French colonial landmarks and significant war sites, such as the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. Meanwhile, its present-day identity is defined by bustling markets, vibrant street life, and contemporary commercial districts.

The Côn Ðao archipelago is a remote and atmospheric island group known for its unspoiled beaches, clear waters and moving history. Once the site of a brutal prison, from French colonial times until the 1970s, today it is a peaceful retreat where natural beauty and complex tales coexist in a striking island setting. 

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea as you cruise through the waters of Southeast Asia. Take time to unwind on board, enjoy panoramic ocean views, and experience the ship’s facilities at leisure while the horizon unfolds between destinations. 

Pulau Redang is one of Malaysia’s most beautiful island escapes, known for its powder-white sands, turquoise waters and vibrant coral reefs. Part of a protected marine park, it offers exceptional snorkelling and diving, kayaking and other watersports amidst a tranquil natural setting surrounded by tropical rainforest.

The Anambas Archipelago is a remote cluster of islands in the waters of Southeast Asia, celebrated for its crystal-clear lagoons, coral reefs and untouched tropical landscapes. With limited development and a true sense of seclusion, it’s easily one of Indonesia’s most pristine island experiences. 

Your luxury Emerald yacht offers the best ways to explore here, with excursions by Zodiac, kayak or stand-up paddleboard straight from the Marina Platform, depending on conditions.

Pulau Tioman is a lush, jungle-covered island known for its dramatic mountain backdrop, clear waters and relaxed coastal villages. Tekek Bay serves as a gateway to the island’s natural beauty, offering opportunities for beach relaxation, snorkelling and exploration of its laid-back island lifestyle. 

Pulau Bintan has a relaxed blend of tropical landscapes and resort-style leisure just across the waters from Singapore. The island has many coastal resorts in the Lagoi area, but there are still peaceful beaches and extensive mangrove ecosystems that can be explored by boat. Its appeal lies in its natural surroundings and easy-going island atmosphere, making it an accessible and restful penultimate stop on your journey. 

Arrive in Singapore, a world-class city-state where futuristic architecture meets multicultural heritage. From iconic skyline views to vibrant districts and exceptional dining, Singapore offers a dynamic finale to your journey. An overnight stay gives you time to explore this global hub at leisure.

Your luxurious yacht journey comes to an end in Singapore. From here, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home or onward travels, taking with you cherished memories of your extraordinary journey through Southeast Asia. 

Please book your flight to depart out of Singapore after 12:00 PM.

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such, Emerald Cruises cannot guarantee the cruise will be operated unaltered from the itinerary stated above.

Please note: Preview itinerary subject to change.