BASSAC BOATS CRUISES
Tour Of Mekong Delta
OVERVIEW
The Bassac offers short-to-medium-range discovery cruises in charming, authentic river cabin cruisers.
TRADITIONAL SHIP CONSTRUCTION
All three Bassac are built of wood according to the tradition of the rice barges of the Mekong delta, with amendments where safety standards require.
Bassac I actually once was a rice barge, which we bought and overhauled into the cozy cabin cruiser it is today, and although Bassac II and III are entirely new hull designs, more adapted to their present purpose, they were built with the same craftsmanship and according to the same tradition.
The original Bassac, built in the hull of a rice transporting barge, is a cozy ship sized right for a family excursion or a group of friends, who will love to appropriate it for the duration of their journey.
Bassac I is a green ship. It treats its waste water and recycles the waste heat from the engine. It is qualified as a first-class river vessel VR-SI.
Maximum 12 passengers
2 Double, with private access and en suite bathroom
4 Twin, slightly smaller, with private access and en suite bathroom
24m long, all wood, two passenger decks
Dining room and bar on the main deck
Sundeck at the front upper deck
Dining area at the rear upper deck
The Bassac II was designed in-house to meet the demands of river discovery cruises. It harbors redundant propulsion and power generator; river water and waste water treatment, and a professional galley. The Bassac II is registered to navigate into Cambodia.
With a large covered upper deck, a lounge and wide gangways, it is comfortable and can host a meal for the passengers of two ships. Access on board is broad and steady, and elderly or partly disabled passengers are safe.
Maximum 24 passengers
6 Twin, main deck, with private access and en suite bathroom
2 Double, main deck, with private access and en suite bathroom
2 Double, upper deck, with en suite bathroom
2 Double, work deck, 50% larger, with en suite bathroom
32m long, all wood, three passenger decks
Dining room and bar on the main deck
Lounge cum dining room on the upper deck
Shaded dining area on the rear upper deck
Sundeck on the front upper deck
The Bassac III was designed in-house and built very similar to the Bassac II, with its lot of small improvements, of which a bar in the rear upper deck.
With a large covered upper deck, a panoramic lounge and wide gangways, it is comfortable and can host a meal for the passengers of two ships. Access on board is broad and steady, and elderly or partly disabled passengers are safe.
Maximum 24 passengers
6 Twin, main deck, with private access and en suite bathroom
2 Double, main deck, with private access and en suite bathroom
4 Double, upper deck, with en suite bathroom
32.6m long, all wood, two passenger decks
Dining room and bar on the main deck
Lounge cum dining room on the upper deck
bar on the upper deck
Shaded dining area on the rear upper deck
Sundeck on the front upper deck
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CABIN & FACILITIES
The cabins feature soundproofed partitions and double glazing to protect the passengers’ sleep from the noises of the river. These partitions are also heat insulated and meant to slow fire in case of an emergency. The access to outside is immediate.
We have air-conditioning in all the cabins, with split systems to allow for a quiet night –indeed the boat’s equipment themselves are quiet even though some must run all night long.
The Bassac all offer 24-hour power and air-conditioning in cabins fitted with fire detection and fire fighting. A bathroom en suite with every cabin offers hot and cold water all the time.
The galley is suitable to serve refined meals and uphold the best sanitary standards, even for groups of up to twice the bedding capacity of the ship.
LAYOUT PRINCIPLES
The passengers can enjoy privacy on board, as the layout allows the crew to be discreet and offers several living areas so that different groups may make the journey their own.
Wide access to outside while still retaining the capability to serve even in bad weather guarantee a good experience of the Mekong delta.
Their layout and structure make the Bassac quiet enough to allow the passengers to sleep while the ship is under way
SAFETY
Safety comes first in the design and operation of the ships. Floatation devices are available for all on board and more, redundant alarm and fire detection as well as redundant fire fighting means are present on all the Bassac.
The handrails all around the ship are sturdy and a mesh of rope prevents any kids from falling.
Upon boarding, the passengers are informed of the areas that are open or off-limits to them, and instructed about emergency situations, how to give the alarm and where to meet.
RESTAURANT & BAR
Eating well is mission-critical on a cruise, and on every trip we offer our passengers to discover classic Vietnamese cuisine at noon, delta specialties in the evening and a well-appointed western meal for breakfast.
We offer meals cooked and baked afresh including breakfast’s bread and pastry. As the Bassac have their own galley, they are very reactive to meet the needs and tastes of your passengers, even in case a surprise cake is de rigueur.
ITINERARY
OPTION 1
CAI BE - CAN THO ( 2 DAYS/ 1 NIGHT )
Day 1
Cai Be on day 1 at noon
Boarding at Cai Be at noon. Welcome drink, Introduction to the ship and crew, check into the cabins. Departure towards Cho Lach on the Tien Giang River. Lunch while on route. Rest on the deck. Branching into Cho Lach canal for 30 minutes through the traffic of sand and rice barges, in a scenery of fruit drying facilities and wooden ship building yards. Visit of a village on the banks of river Mang Thit, an opportunity to appreciate the way of life and hospitality of the local inhabitants. Visit of the orchard or rice fields nearby. Boarding back, complimentary drink as a welcome back on board. Rest on the deck enjoying the sunset. The crew will serve dinner while the Bassac is cruising Mang Thit River. The Bassac sets anchor just downstream from the little Tra On floating market, for the night.
Day 2
Breakfast is available from 06:30, while the ship is cruising the Tra On floating market. The ship then departs towards Can Tho. Arrival in Cai Rang floating market, check out and transfer onto a local boat to visit the floating market, the nearby arroyos and gardens and return to the Ninh Kieu pier. End of the services on shore at Cần Thơ by mid-morning. Please note you will leave the Bassac for good at the time you embark for the last visit.
OPTION 2
CAN THO - CAI BE ( 2 DAYS/ 1 NIGHT )
Day 1
Can Tho, on day 1 at noon
Boarding at Can Tho at Ninh Kieu pier. Welcome drink, introduction to the ship and crew, check into the cabins. Departure downstream of the Hau river. Lunch on board while en route. Tour near Tra On floating market. Turning into Nicolai canal, towards the Mang Thit and Co Chien rivers. Rest on the upper deck in a scenery of rice fields, sugar cane, woods on the near banks. Visit of a village on the banks of river Mang Thit, an opportunity to appreciate the way of life and hospitality of the local inhabitants. Visit of the orchard or rice fields nearby. Boarding back, complimentary drink as a welcome back on board. Rest on the deck or around the bar enjoying the sunset. The crew will serve dinner while the Bassac is cruising Mang Thit River towards her anchorage point for the night. The Bassac sets anchor for the night on river Mang Thit.
Day 2
06:30 Departure towards Cai Be. The passengers take their breakfast while enjoying the scenery on the banks. The Bassac crosses Co Chien River then branches into Cho Lach canal for 30 minutes through the traffic of sand and rice barges, in a scenery of fruit drying facilities and wooden ship building yards. Arrival in Cai Be, check-out and boarding of a local boat for a tour of Cai Be floating market and handicraft. End of the services on shore at Cái Bè by mid-morning. Please note you will leave the Bassac for good at the time you embark for the last visit.
