Grand Tour of Vietnam and Cambodia
Travellers: Carole and Gord Madeley | Newcastle, Ontario
My husband Gord and I recently returned from the Grand Tour of Vietnam and Cambodia with Emerald Cruises. This 21-day journey is perfectly balanced, with half the time spent on land tours and the other half on the water.
It truly was a trip of a lifetime—filled with unique, interesting, and educational experiences!
What touched us most were the meaningful human connections throughout the journey, as Emerald immersed us in local life and culture. Our experience began in Hanoi with the cultural Lotus Water Puppet Show, followed by dinner at KOTO (Know One Teach One), a remarkable restaurant dedicated to training and educating disadvantaged youth.
We then explored the stunning green waters of Ha Long Bay by boat, where we visited floating fishing villages and learned about the labour-intensive process of oyster farming for pearls. From there, we flew to the lively and charming resort town of Hoi An, famous for its talented tailors who can create a custom suit or silk dress in just 24 hours! During our time there, Emerald also introduced us to the Reaching Out Project, which empowers people with disabilities through skill development and meaningful employment.
Our journey continued with a flight to the energetic and bustling Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), where we explored the historic Cu Chi Tunnels and experienced the Saigon Street Food Tour—an absolute must!!!
We then boarded the beautiful Emerald Harmony Star-Ship for a seven-night cruise along the Mekong River. Each day brought new excursions that offered deeper insight into local life and culture, from farming and fishing communities to bustling markets and traditional industries.
As we cruised into Cambodia, we visited the capital city of Phnom Penh, where we learned about the country’s history, including its most difficult chapters. We also visited a monastery for Buddhist monks and nuns, along with several beautiful temples. One evening onboard, we enjoyed a memorable cultural performance by a Cambodian student and children’s organization.
After disembarking, we travelled to Siem Reap to begin our exploration of the remarkable royal cities of the Angkor Period, including the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Wat.
Throughout this 21-day journey, we experienced a variety of local transportation, including cyclo, tuk-tuk, and rickshaw rides—each adding to the authenticity of the adventure. The food in both countries was consistently delicious, flavourful, fresh, and healthy!! The local guides, bus drivers, hotel staff, and river cruise team were all exceptional!!
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our Kemp Travel Planner, Suzanne Newby. Suzanne supported us every step of the way—answering all our questions and quickly reaching out to Emerald whenever needed. She also arranged our airfare early to ensure we secured premium seats for added comfort and service.
She was truly there for us from start to finish!! We highly recommend Suzanne as your River Cruise Specialist!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH, Suzanne!!!
Happy Travelers!!
Carole and Gord Madeley
Ready to turn inspiration into your next unforgettable journey? Connect with Suzanne Newby today and start planning!
There’s never been a better time to explore—take advantage of the latest offers from Emerald Cruises and elevate your next adventure with exceptional value and comfort.
