DAY 11: Southeast Asia: Wonders of Cambodia, Vietnam & the Mekong
Today marked a quiet but significant transition as we left the Mekong Delta behind and entered the Cho Gao Canal, one of Vietnam’s most important arterial waterways. This canal serves as a vital connection between Tien Giang Province and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), and it quickly became clear why. From the deck, we were fascinated watching the steady stream of heavy commercial traffic navigating the narrow waterway. Nearly 1,800 vessels pass through this canal each day and witnessing that volume firsthand was remarkable. Cargo barges piled high with sand, and other bulk commodities moved slowly and deliberately, while smaller fishing boats and local vessels wove their way through with practiced ease. It was interesting how overloaded many of the boats appeared, but we were told the more freight the boats haul the more profit they make so the ships often exceed recommended capacities.
The view shifted constantly as we traveled. Lush mangroves hugged the shoreline, industrial stretches appeared and faded, and pockets of daily life unfolded along the banks. Fishermen tended nets, families moved between boats, and long stretches of working river life passed by our windows. It felt like watching Vietnam’s economic and cultural lifeline in motion.
Lunch featured dishes from other locations Emerald cruise lines travel to. That afternoon small groups of us could tour various parts of the ship previously unseen. Chris and I chose to visit the captain’s deck where the captain and crew steer and manage the ship. It was impressive!
After our captain’s tour, I enjoyed an Asian Stamp massage which was truly one of the best massages I’ve had. Warm bunches of herbs were massaged into my skin. Pure bliss!
As evening approached, the landscape continued to change. Rural scenes gradually gave way to denser development, and by nightfall we arrived in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. The ship docked amid glowing city lights that reflected off the water, creating a shimmering, almost cinematic skyline. After days of countryside, villages, and river islands, the city felt alive and electric, an entirely different rhythm from what we’d known just hours earlier.
That evening, nearly the entire ship’s staff, everyone except the night security guard, was introduced to us. With almost a one-to-one guest-to-staff ratio, it was clear how thoughtfully cared for we had been throughout the journey. Afterward, we enjoyed our final dinner on board: a gala six-course meal that, as always, was delicious. When we returned to our room, Emerald staff had left two cute stuffed elephants on the bed as a departing gift. The night ended with packing up our room, preparing for an early disembarkation the next morning.
Because of Vietnamese customs regulations, we couldn’t venture ashore until the following day. Even so, standing on deck and taking in the illuminated skyline felt like a fitting pause, a moment to reflect on the journey that had carried us from quiet riverbanks to one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic cities.