Going Places Travel

17/03/2026

We ended our tour with a 2 night stay in Ho Chi Minh City, a super-charged city of sensory overload. Motorbikes zoom day and night along the wide boulevards, through the narrow back alleys and past vendors pushing handcarts hawking goods of all descriptions. Still called Saigon by most residents, this is Vietnam's largest city and the engine driving the country's current economic resurgence.

17/03/2026

After sailing from My Tho, we left the Mekong Delta and entered the Cho Gao canal, considered one of Vietnam’s major arterial canals that connects Tien Giang Province with Ho Chi Minh City. It was fascinated watching the heavy commercial traffic navigating this important waterway, where upwards of 1,800 vessels transit each day. It was a relaxing day on board, taking in the everchanging vistas of mangroves, cargo barges and local fishing boats. Emerald is the only ship that is able to dock in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, spectacular with the city lights.

12/03/2026

A short ride on our sampan took us to Sa Ðéc, a Mekong Delta hidden gem. We enjoyed 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. Then back to Emerald Harmony for lunch, while cruising to Cái Bè. In the afternoon we discovered local cottage industries where families produce rice-paper and sweets from pop-corn, pop-rice and coconuts. We then travelled 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, we visited a workshop specialising in weaving water hyacinth into artistic crafts and boarded a motorised buggy for a ride through fruit orchards, stopping to sample tropical fruits.

11/03/2026

Known as ‘Mango Island,’ Cu Lao Gieng is a small, scenic island that is untouched by tourism located along the upper Mekong River. We travelled by local motorcycle rickshaw (remork) 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.
In the afternoon we sailed to My An Hung Island. Recognised as a cultural and historical destination, this small rural village specialises in cultivating red-hot chilli and peppers. We listened to local folk singing, wandered through coconut farms and immersed ourselves in traditional village life.

10/03/2026

10/03/2026

Today we crossed the border into Vietnam and sailed on to Tan Chau, spending the morning relaxing on board. In the afternoon we embarked on a sampan to visit the recently renovated Cao Dai temple, with a fun ride in a Xe Loi (local form of cyclo) from the temple back to our sampan. We then travelled along the river to Evergreen Island for a stroll through the local village, revealing the lives of the local farming community. Tonight back on board the Emerald Harmony we enjoyed a traditional Lion Dance performance. Another fabulous day.

09/03/2026

This morning, we learnt more about the Khmer Rouge and the darkest days of Cambodia’s history with a confronting visit to the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek and the memorial to understand more about the country’s sombre chapter. Afterwards we went to 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, we savoured a Cambodian Street Fair lunch, before visiting the majestic Royal Palace. This evening we enjoyed a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation, before sailing for the Vietnam border.

08/03/2026

We are now onboard our stunning ship, the Emerald Harmony. Our day started 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 we received a traditional Buddhist blessing from the resident monks. After a relaxed afternoon we experienced Phnom Penh by night on a remork (local Tuk-Tuk) tour.

07/03/2026

An early start to witness the sunrise over Angkor Wat. Afterwards we walked through this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, the largest religious complex in the world. The rest of the day was free to relax and explore Siem Reap before a highlight dinner at Satcha Handicraft Centre, accompanied by an Apsara dance performance. Then Happy Birthday to Vincent with late night cake eating poolside! 🎂

07/03/2026

Angkor Thom, 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. And 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. Our day ended with a visit to Phare Circus, where a combination of acrobatics, music and dance tell a uniquely Cambodian story.