Showing posts with label Ho Chi Minh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ho Chi Minh. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

RV La Marguerite Cruise



River Vessel La Marguerite raises the bar in river cruising in the Mekong Delta. La Marguerite offers unparalleled cruise experience, top notch excursions along the Mekong Delta between Saigon and Siem Reap. La Marguerite is the first river vessel of esteemed Indochina Sails cruise company where its reputation is derived from endorsements from its customers. World Class paired gourmet dining experience adds sparks to its river cruise while its carefully researched excursions to cultural destinations allows for passion revival for its travelers.

The concept

A holistic and creative cruise is perfect for connoisseurs, family vacation, friendship bond building, RV La Marguerite also stimulates the mind and enriches your physical well being. RV La Marguerite's unique concept sets it apart from the rest. This 8 days - 7 nights cruise offers you a distinctive way of experiencing the Mekong through the passion of Marguerite Duras. The guided tours to historic and cultural sites, local attractions, museums and galleries are developed to enrich your personal experience, making you alive with passion and inspiration.

Length : 71.6m
Main length: 65.6m
Width: 12.5 m
Depth: 1.8 m
Free Board: 1.5 m
Air Draft: 9.65 m
Engines: 2 x 700 h/p (Yanmar)
Generator: 2 x 320 Kva Cat (USA)
Crew: 38 (International)
Passenger cabins: 46
Passenger berths: 92
Registry : VIRES S1
Home port: Saigon
Build in Vietnam: July 2009
Ship Design: Colonial
Interior Design: Boutique

Cabin

State Room: Twin beds form into double bed placings. The cabins are equipped with air-conditioning, wardrobe, writing desk, sofa, mini-bar, safe box, in-house telephone, bathroom & shower, hot & cold water, hairdryer, in-house television, kimono and slippers. Each cabin measures 19.7m2.
Sadec Suite: King size bed, long sofa, bathroom with bathtub and separate shower. The cabins are equipped with air-conditioning, wardrobe, writing desk, sofa, mini-bar, safe box, in-house telephone, bathroom & shower, hot & cold water, hairdryer, in-house television, kimono and slippers. Each cabin measures 26.4m2.
Indocina Suites: King size bed, bathroom with Jacuzzi and separate shower and private balcony. The cabins are equipped with air-conditioning, wardrobe, writing desk, sofa, mini-bar, safe box, in-house telephone, bathroom & shower, hot & cold water, hairdryer, in-house television, kimono and slippers. Each cabin measures 41.2m2.


Deck Plan

Mekong Deck (Lower Deck): 8 Staterooms each measuring 19.7m2 (212 sq. ft) with fixed window, no balcony Business Center
Tonle Deck (Main deck): 16 Staterooms each measuring 19.7m2 (212 sq. ft) with fixed window and balcony Mekong Restaurant measuring 196m2 Gift Shop at Reception Area
Saigon Deck (Upper deck): 14 Staterooms each measuring 19.7m2 (212 sq. ft) with fixed window and balcony Saigon Lounge, Panoramic Lounge measuring 230m2.
Sadeck Deck (Sun deck): 6 Sadec Suites each measuring 26.4m2 2 Indochina Suites each measuring 41.2m2 Sundeck Bar & Whirlpool measuring 275m2

Fine Dining

Mekong Restaurant: With attention-grabbing and legendary dishes stealing the limelight, it's easy to forget that the restaurant is a fine-dining establishment that also offers international cuisine from French, traditional and Vietnamese-Cambodia fusion where service is of the utmost importance. The restaurant is also a showcase for Marguerite Duras' passion for exploring multi sensory dining, and the effects of smell, taste and texture and sound on the palate, senses, memory and emotions. A gourmet wine list to pair with your culinary journey.

Saigon Lounge: Indulge in a splendid afternoons and evenings with a variety of soothing and relaxing chill out music. The Saigon Lounge gently sets the mood for sophisticated tastes and discerning palates.
The Panoramic Lounge is set right in front of the vessel and one could see the panoramic views of the Mekong River thus allowing the travelers to revel in the beauty of the countryside.The Panoramic Lounge allows one to quieten the mind, and opens all the five senses necessary for the reviving the passion for everyday living.
Sun deck & Pool: pool where you'll find refreshing and invigorating concoctions and snacks that are created and served using the freshest ingredients that are made from scratch daily. You can sip to your heart's content with relaxing views of the Mekong Delta.

Spa Service:

The spa onboard RV La Marguerite is a sanctuary - a refuge from the hurried pace of modern life with its pristine and exquisitely colonial and Zen vibe, an ideal environment in which to explore the remarkable restorative powers of quiet repose, personal attention and total indulgence on the mind, on the body, and on the soul.

Emergancy & Safety:

Smoke detectors are placed in all cabins and public places through RV La Marguerite. Emergency lighting and generator, fire hydrants and fire hoses, fire extinguishers and life jackets are carefully selected for your comfort and safety.

RV La Marguerite follows strict control of food handling related to the receipt, storage, processing, display, packaging & transportation are strictly adhered to for your total enjoyment and safety.

All crew members of the RV La Marguerite are trained in both emergency and non-emergency First Aid.

Mekong Queen Junk




     if you have only one day or two days and you need a Mekong river life outlook. CaiBe – Vinh Long is a good choice. If the most populated places are rather much visited, as soon as you get away from the crowds, you are getting in touch with the nice people of the delta and their always welcoming attitude. Boating along Mekong River is a pleasant way to escape the bustle of the city centre. And let the Mekong Queen brings you closer to Vietnamese local lives in Mekong Delta.

Featuring five different excursions, the Mekong Queen services will surely take you beyond Delta’s stunning sites and charming people. It is possible to take tours on small boats into the more remote rivers for getting through local villages in comfort. It is also possible to cycle around the rude road through local lives and along the river when you get off on board. Food tastes better when flavored by the chef who has a passion for his art. The same thing applies to a variety of activities in life.


Mekong Overview

The Mekong River is one of the world's 10th rivers in its river length and has great influences upon nature and societies of the Indo-china Peninsula. The name "MEKONG" originates in Thai language, Mae Nam Khong. The Mekong River is the heart and soul of mainland Southeast Asia, which runs 4,800 kilometers from its headwaters on the Tibetan Plateau through Yunnan Province of China, Burma, Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia and Vietnam. The source of the Mekong River is in Tibet Mountains and is called Dza Chu River (River of Rock). After running through very narrow valley paralling Yangz Jiang and Salween River, the Mekong reaches to Yung-Nan Province of China and is called Lancang Jiang (Turbulent River). Via Golden Triangle, the crossing of Burma, Thailand, and Laos border, the Mekong flow into Vientiane Plain. The term, Lower Mekong means downstream segment from the point. There are some notorious rapids for French navigation plan in colonial period before the Mekong get to Cambodia, and the last segment is the Mekong Delta in Viet Nam, which distributes grate influences to agriculture, especially paddy fields there. According to a sketch on the right, we can see this long river with some segments hereinafter. Over 60 million people depend on the Mekong and its tributaries for food, water, transport and many other aspects of their daily lives. Its annual flood drought cycles are essential for the sustainable production of rice and vegetables on the floodplains and along the riverbanks during the dry season. Known as the Mother of waters, the river supports one of the world's most diverse fisheries, second only to the Amazon.

The Mekong of Vietnam is one of the two main rice bowls of the country. Dominated by Large lowland Stretching from Cambodia to Sai Gon, the surrounding lands are comprised of low lying rice paddies and the rivers are bordered by dense mangroves and palms. The tributaries of the hectic Mekong River highway provide a comprehensive network of canals and channels. The rivers are the best methods to explore the region at a leisurely pace and offer the opportunity to experience the truly unique Mekong River lifestyle.

Ho Chi Minh Tours to Siem Reap 7 Days / 6 Nights



Join us as we take in the splendors of Vietnam and Cambodia on a trip through the heart of the Khmer empire. You'll bask in the shadows of jungle-clad ruins, barter at floating canal markets, and sip coffee in elegant sidewalk cafes, as we cross ancient empires and lush jungles.

Along your voyage, you will stay in some of the most elegant accommodation. Additionally, you will be assisted by a local guide in each country that you visit, whose expertise will ensure that you get the most out of your experience.

You'll journey by riverboat into Vietnam's lush Mekong Delta, where you'll slip along quiet waterways through bamboo groves and busy floating markets. And then you'll be onto Phnom Penh, a riverside city of leafy boulevards, delicately towering pagodas and some surprisingly hip hotels, bars and restaurants.

Arriving in Siem Reap, home of the astounding ruins of Angkor. Since its discovery in the 19th Century, Angkor has lured travelers with its majestic stone temples and mysterious ruins.

Itinerary brief

Day 1: SaiGon - CaiBe - CanTho.
Day 2: CanTho - ChauDoc.
Day 3: Chau Doc - Phnom Penh by Boat
Day 4: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap by Boat
Day 5: Banteay Srei
Day 6: Angkor Wat
Day 7: Departure
Full Itinerary

Day 1: SaiGon - CaiBe - CanTho.

Departing Saigon at 0800 head south to Cai Be. On arrival boarding a boat for a journey through the town’s floating market. Cruise through the secluded canals to an island where we stop to enjoy seasonal fruits & lunch break before our boat takes us to VinhLong where we get back on the bus for our trip to CanTho to overnight.

Day 2: CanTho - ChauDoc. ( B,L )

An early start for a 3hour boat cruise to Cai Rang and PhongDien floating markets. Bus continue to ChauDoc with a stop over stork garden near ThotNot. Late pm hike up to Sam mountain with its panoramic view over the vast plains into Cambodia. O/N in Chau Doc.

Day 3: Chau Doc - Phnom Penh by Boat ( B,L,D )

Morning speed boat ~ 4.5 hours to Phnom Penh. Visa on arrival at Cambodia border (20 usd each, 1 photo 3x4cm) local Cambodian guide meet at Phnompenh boat pier and transfer to hotel. Lunch at local restaurant.

PM begin city tour with a visit to Wat Phnom the historical capital of Phnom Penh. Proceed to the Independent Monument, Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum of Fine Arts.

Dinner and O/N in Phnom Penh.

Day 4: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap by Boat ( B,L,D )

In the early morning take a speed boat to Siem Reap, Lunch, Visit Southern Gate of Angkor Thom and the famous temple of Bayon. Phimean Akas Temples, The Elephants Terrace and Leper King. Sunset over Angkor Wat from the summit of Phnom Bakheng. Dinner at local restaurant with traditional dance performance.

Day 5: Banteay Srei ( B,L,D )
Breakfast at the hotel a trip to see the most beautiful temple of Banteay Srei, the best carving temple still remain it charm, then back to visit Ta Promh the famous jungle temple, Lunch at local restaurant, In the afternoon visit highlights of the grand temple circuit such as Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som, East Mebon. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Angkor Wat ( B,L,D )

Breakfast at the hotel then a visit to the World heritage Angkor Wat. Lunch at local restaurant. Visit Thommanun & Chaosay Tevoda, Banteay Kdei, Sras Srang. Evening dinner at local restaurant.

Day 7: Departure ( B)

After breakfast, free time for shopping and a final look at Siem Reap, then check out and transfer to airport for departure.

VietnamTripAdvisor can arrange additional customized trips for you if the above itinerary does not match your expectations
CATEGORY
Price per person in USD in the party of  01 Jan 2010 - 1st of August 2010
2p 3-4 5-6
Standard 2* 680 640 590
Superior  3*
850
790
720
First Class  4*
970
920
860
Deluxe 5* 1080 960 880

Class 
Mid-range (3*)
Superior (4*)
Deluxe (5*)
Saigon Can Tho , Ninh Kieu Hotels
Golf Can Tho , Kim Tho Hotel
Victoria Can Tho 
Chau Pho Hotel
Victoria Chau Doc (sup room)
Victoria


Trip included:
 
  • Pick up & drop off at your hotel as requested
  • Transfer in air-condition vehicle
  • Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast
  • Full time escort by English speaking tour guide
  • All boat trips along Mekong delta & speed boats
  • Meals as mention the program ( B = Breakfast, L = Lunch )
  • Entrance fee, music performance.
 
 
Trip Excluded :
 
  • International flights
  • International departure tax
  • Visas and visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Pre-post accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City
  • Other meals & drinks
  • Admission fees during free time
  • Tips and gratuities