One of the great natural wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Halong Bay covers an area of 1,500 km over which are scattered thousands of limestone islands and grottoes rising from the clear, emerald waters of the Gulf of Bac Bo. The majestic beauty of the bay and its islands is o­nly fully appreciated while meandering among the islands, fjords and inlets.

After a night o­n board the Emeraude, passengers awaken to see daylight filtering through the early morning mist and the towering rock formations, leaving them with a dream-like memory of their visit to Halong Bay.

The History of Emeraude Cruise
In 1910 a paddle steamer called the Emeraude was offering unforgettable cruises in Halong Bay for visitors to what was then French Indochina. The Emeraude was part of a flotilla owned by the Roque family who had left Bordeaux in 1858 in search of adventure and fortune. Over a period of more than 50 years they found both. After several ups and downs including successful trading and timber businesses, near bankruptcy and being taken hostage by pirates, the Roque brothers built Emeraude, Perle, Saphir, Rubis and Onyx to ferry passengers and freight along the waterways of Indochina and cruise on magnificent Halong Bay.Today the Emeraude offers a regular cruise service on board a luxurious replicasteamer with 39 cabins meticulously designed to evoke the nostalgic charm of colonial Indochina.

Emeraude Classic Cruise
French owner, Eric Merlin, accidentally discovered the existence of a magnificent fleet of four single-wheeled paddle steamers - Emeraude, Perle, Saphir and Rubis, operating in Halong & Vietnam from 1906 to 1945 from a black and white postcard he bought in France! With inspiration from these historic steamers, Emeraude has been designed in the traditional of the grand steamers of yesteryear and its refined interior decor will bring you back to the old-world charm of the colonial era while maintaining modern standards of comfort and safety to make your cruises as enjoyable as possible. Lead by Captain Jaques Lefur and General Manager, Bertrand Fromm, the 35 multilingual members crew is well trained in safety and service requirements.

About Emeraude Cruise
Each bespoke cabin exudes warmth and character with high standards of work manship, distinguished style and impeccable service. With its polished wooden floors and brass fixtures and fittings the Emeraude's rooms offer timeless elegance.

Emeraude is a 55m length steamer boat features 3 decks, 38 full view cabins & 1 suite, a 80-seat restaurant, 2 bars, shops, massage rooms, swimming platform, entertainment completion.

Emeraude Classic Cruise
From the 350m2 open upper sun deck, passengers can enjoy a soothing foot massage while sipping a refreshing cocktail and gazing at the rock formations reflected in the crystal clear water of the bay. The Emeraude's huge paddle wheel opens to reveal a swimming deck offering passengers the opportunity to swim in the calm waters of the bay surrounded by the majestic scenery. At dawn, that most magical time as the sun rises, the soft and graceful movements of a Tai chi class o­n.

Restaurant and Bars : The Emeraude's restaurant offers delicious, freshly caught local seafood and other specialities. While enjoying breathtaking views of the bay, passengers can enjoy the simple and honest flavours of traditional fare.

Restaurant
From the sun deck, passengers can enjoy a soothing foot massage while sipping a refreshing cocktail and gazing at the rock formations reflected in the crystal clear water of the bay. The Emeraude's huge paddle wheel opens to reveal a swimming deck offering passengers the opportunity to swim in the calm waters of the bay surrounded by the majestic scenery. At dawn, that most magical time as the sun rises, the soft and graceful movements of a t'ai chi class o­n the deck complement the atmospheric silence of the bay.