HO CHI MINH CITY TO SIEM REAP WITH EMERALD CRUISES
Love birds who are seeking an extended getaway in a land far , far away might consider Emerald Cruises ’ epic 14-night adventure aboard the Emerald Harmony on the ship ’ s “ Wonders of Vietnam , Cambodia & the Mekong - Ho ” sailing .
PHOTOS COURTESY OF EMERALDCRUISES . GLOBAL / INSTAGRAM
QUANG NGUYEN VINH / SHUTTERSTOVK . COM
WHY IT ’ S ROMANTIC Old meets new along the winding Mekong River , where travelers can experience vibrant ancient temples by day and bustling neon-lit cities by night . Everywhere you look , nature and humans work in harmony as rare wildlife — Irrawaddy dolphins , Asian elephants and saola — and dense forests intertwine with floating markets and ornate pagodas . Fresh seafood is abundant alongside noodles and rice dishes paired with coconut water to wash it all down .
WHERE THEY ’ LL GO Departing from the UK , this thrilling 15-day adventure traverses 10 cities — Ho Chi Minh City , My Tho , Sa Dec , My An Hung , Hong Ngu , An Long , Long Khanh , Phnom Penh , Prek ’ kdam and Siem Reap . Couples will kick off their journey in Ho Chi Minh City ( formerly Saigon ), the largest city in Vietnam famous for its striking French architecture , mouth-watering culinary scene and historical significance during the Vietnam War . Upon departing Ho Chi Minh City , things hit a slower pace as travelers float the Mekong Delta making stops in small , yet magical towns along the way . Highlights during days four through six include the elaborate Vinh Trang Temple , the storied Hyunh Thuy Le Ancient House and the opportunity to sample exotic fruits like durian , jackfruit , dragon fruit and mangosteen from the comfort of a local village . Entering the halfway point of the cruise , outdoorsy couples will enjoy soaking in the waters beneath the Giang Dien Waterfall , the sights of the Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve and Bai Nhat Beach before crossing the Vietnam / Cambodia border on day eight . After a night in Phnom Penh , the Emerald Harmony will pass through Prek ’ kdam before arriving in Siem Reap , home to the impressive and historic Angkor Archaeological Park .
FALL 2022 / THE COMPASS / 49