Cruise Tips
Dear travellers,
Our main goal is to make your stay in the Mekong one of the highlights of your visit to Vietnam, and to give you a most memorable insight into the secrets of the Mekong Delta.
To help you get prepared for your trip and ensure everyone’s comfort during the cruise, we would respectfully like to draw your attention to a list of practical information, advice, recommendations and security rules which will hopefully participate in making your stay more pleasant and enjoyable.
Your cruise includes
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Location
| Places | Mekong Delta (Cai Be, Sa Dec, Cho Lach, Tra On, Can Tho, Long Xuyen, Chau Doc, etc.) |
| Base station | Cái Bè, Tiền Giang Province |
| Distance from/to Ho Chi Minh City | 120 km |
| Distance from /to HCM International Airport | 130 km |
| Transportation | Shuttle bus from/to Ho Chi Minh; private transfers on request (not included in the cruising package) |
Cabins
Cabins on board are fairly spacious but you must keep in mind that Le Cochinchine is meant for short and intimate cruises. If you are undertaking a longer stay in Vietnam and carry voluminous luggage, it would be wise to leave the bigger luggage in the hotel store room and only take with you a smaller piece of luggage.
Air-conditioning
Your cabin has its own air-conditioning unit, which can be adjusted for your comfort. We recommend you do not over-cool your cabin as the sudden change from the outside temperature to a chilled cabin can bring on colds, respiratory illnesses and even stomach upsets. When you go out, we recommend you turn the setting to a intermediate temperature (around 26), and then when you return you can readjust the temperature to your preference without having to wait for cool air. Please do not leave your air-conditioner on with the window open – this results in energy loss (the equivalent of switching on the heating and opening the windows in a cold country!
Bar
The cruise bar is open any time during the entire cruise. However, drinks are not included in the package. A drink list is available on board. We try our best to make sure we can serve any drink on the list but we would like you to take into account that we may not be able to fulfil your requests depending on the availability of some drinks when restocking.
Meals
You will find the menus of all meals served on board once you get on the boat. The cook goes to the market every day. Depending on the availability of some items menus can undergo slight changes.
Security
Barges do not generally have safes on board. Since the dress code is casual it is not necessary to bring along valuable jewellery. In general it is not wise to travel anywhere with your valuables. Exercise caution throughout & be careful when handling or stowing your passport. It is a good idea to travel with a photocopy of your passport. Leave information of your credit cards at home with a trusted friend or relative, as well as make a copy of the stop usage (800#) if lost or stolen you can call from Europe.
Life jackets
Life jackets are stored in the wardrobe or under the beds in your cabin.
Fire risk
To ensure each and everyone’s comfort, smoking is not permitted in your cabin or in the Dining Room or Saloon i.e. inside. Smoking is permitted in outside areas only, namely the Observation Deck and Promenade Decks. This is a wood-finished ship and the danger of fire should never be ignored.
Bicycles
Bicycles are carried on board. Crew will be happy to help you with bike adjustments and getting it on and off the barge.
Please remember to use caution when riding along pathways or into villages. A decision to engage in cycling during the cruise constitutes the travellers assumption of all risks associated and an agreement not to make a claim against the barge owners for any personal injury, death or property damage that arises out of such activity.
Water & towels
The boat’s water supply comes from water well after passing through a sterilisation plant. This water is suitable for washing and brushing teeth but should not be drunk. To save water and reduce detergent use we will only change towels daily if they are placed on the floor. We have copious supplies of hot water but you may have to run the water for two minutes before it gets hot.
Electricity
On our boat and ashore in hotels is 220 volts 50 Hz AC. On the ship we have continental 2 pin type sockets but adapters are available from the ship’s office.
Languages spoken on board
The cruise manager and tour guide can speak English and/or French.
Telephones
May we suggest that you leave your computers & telephones at home. Cell phone work in most of the barging areas. There are no phone hookups on the barges for checking email. There are payphones along the canal (if you must!). Being “out of touch” takes a bit of getting used to, but by day 2 you should be ok and have no “communication withdrawal” symptoms. You will be able to enjoy the peace & tranquillity of the journey…
Health
We have a first aid kit on board. We suggest however that you take mosquitoe repellant as they can be very annoying in that area.
Clothing
There is no imposed dress code on board Le Cochinchine. Casual clothes are more than welcome. You would be well advised to choose filmy garments and sandals or light trainers.
Regulation
Guest may not bring weapons of any type, toxic materials, explosives, inflammables, anything that has strong smell (i.e. Durian food) or pets – other than guide dogs for sighted handicapped.
Lecochinchine Cruises 