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EMERAUDE RESTAURANT
The Flavor
Dining on the Emeraude reflects the ambitions and aspirations of the vessel itself.
Vietnamese ingredients, enhanced by European culinary traditions, create a culinary experience without peer on Halong Bay.
Quality, good taste and elegance define every buffet in our classic wood-panelled dining room.
Lunch
After you board the Emeraude, the lunch buffet is quickly served. Look out for classics like chicken cordon bleu alongside pork tenderloin and a range of salads and lighter options. Fresh spring rolls offer a local flavour alongside freshly caught seafood.
Sample menu
Appetizer and Salads: Cabbage and Carrot Salad, Selection of Seasonal Lettuces, The Emeraude Club Sandwich, Pasta Salad with chipolata salad, Fresh Seafood and Pork Spring Rolls, Fried Spring Rolls “Hue Style”, Green papaya salad with dried beef
Assorted Condiments: Wine Vinegar and Olive Oil, Calypso Mayonnaise Sauce, American Mustard, Chopped White & Egg Yolk, Sliced Tomatoes, Sliced Onion, Green Sweet Chili Pepperoni, Sliced Cucumber, Black & Green Olives, Pickled Onions, Semi Sweet Pickled Gherkins, Fresh Red Chili, Sliced Lime, Soya Sauce, Chili Sauce, Soya Sauce, Sweet Chili Sauce, Soya Sauce, Japanese Wasabi Mustard, Chili Fish Sauce
Soup, Bread Basket & Butter: Cream of Seasonal Vegetables, Farmer Bread & French Bread Baguette with Butter
Main Courses: Sauteed squid with curry coconut milk sauce, Deep fried fish with breadcrumb, Steamed Clam with ginger, Pork Tenderloin with Mustard Sauce, Grilled Chicken with Lemon Leave and lemon grass, Sautéed Seasonal vegetable with Oyster Sauce, Gratin potatoes, Seafood fried rice
Desserts: Selection of Fresh Tropical Fruits, Vietnamese CHE station, Swiss Apple Tart with Custard, Chocolate cake, French pastries
Vegetarion option (on request)
Starter: Vietnamese fresh spring roll with rice noodle and vegetable, Green papaya salad with herb and roasted peanut
Soup: Cream of potatoes soup
Main Courses: Deep fried tofu with tomato sauce Served with steamed rice and seasonal vegetable OR Pasta with herb cream sauce served with garlic butter bread.
Desserts: Available at the buffet
Dinner
In the evening, dining is a stylish affair. The buffet includes rump steak and fresh Halong Bay steamed prawns. The selection includes shellfish, salads, soups and rice dishes. For dessert, choices vary from a range of cakes to old favorites like bread and butter pudding. There is also an array of tropical fruit.
Sample menu
Appetizer and Salads: Selection of Dalat Garden Greens, Red Cabbage and Pineapple, Lotus Salad with Prawns, Baby potatoes salad with crispy bacon, Banana flower salad with BBQ chicken, Fried Spring Rolls “Saigon Style”, Selection of Cold Cuts
Assorted Condiments: Wine Vinegar and Olive Oil, Calypso Mayonnaise Sauce, American Mustard, Chopped White & Egg Yolk, Sliced Tomatoes, Sliced Onion, Green Sweet Chili Pepperoni, Sliced Cucumber, Black & Green Olives, Pickled Onions, Semi Sweet Pickled Gherkins, Fresh Red Chili, Sliced Lime, Soya Sauce, Chili Sauce, Soya Sauce, Sweet Chili Sauce, Soya Sauce, Japanese Wasabi Mustard, Chili Fish Sauce
Soup, Bread Basket & Butter: Emeraude Seafood SouP, Farmer Bread & French Bread Baguette with Butter
Main Courses: Fried Fish Fillet with Tomato Butter Sauce, Tempura squid, Freshly Steamed Prawns with ginger, Grilled Beef Strip Loin with Green Pepper Corn Sauce, Chicken Cordon Blue, Braised Ratatouille with Tomatoes, Sautéed potatoes with parsley, Steamed rice
Desserts: Selection of Fresh Tropical Fruits, Vietnamese CHE station, Moca chocolate cake, French pastry, Carrot cake
Vegetarion option (on request)
Starter & Salads: Deep fried vegetable NEM, Fresh garden salad with dipping sauce
Soup: Seafood soup
Main Courses: Penne with vegetable cream sauce served with roasted tomatoes with olives oil OR Fried rice with vegetable served with steamed tofu with Soya bean sauce
Desserts: Available at the buffet
Breakfast
Wake early to enjoy sunrise and it won't be long before aromas from the kitchen find you. Bacon, chipolatas, scrambled eggs and cold cuts await. A chef cooks omelets to your specifications. A rice congee or "chao" adds local flavor while croissants and pastry add a European touch. Italian Lavazza coffee is served.
Sample menu
Fruit Juices: Orange Juice, Apple Juice, Peach Juice, Mineral Water, Variety of Fresh Tropical Fruits
Milk & Corn Flakes: Kellogg’s Corn Flakes with Milk, Fresh fruit with Yogurt
Cold Cuts and Salad: Assorted Dalat Garden Greens with Calypso Dressing, Sliced Salami, Ham
Bread Basket & Butter: Selection of Danish Pastries, Croissant, Mini Danish Kaya, Apple strudel, Sliced Toast Bread and Whole Wheat Bread with Toaster, Strawberry Jam, Bitter Orange Marmalade , Apricot jam with Imported Butter
Main Courses: Vegetable Chicken Egg Omelet, Scrambled Eggs, Fried egg, Poached egg, Grilled Bacon and Chipolata Sausage, Roast Potatoes with Bacon, Rice Porridge Station with all the Condiments
Beverages: Freshly Brewed Coffee and English Breakfast Tea
Drinks
Throughout your cruise, bars in the dining room and on the sundeck ensure satisfaction for every thirst. A lengthy wine list caters to all tastes. Cocktails beg to be drunk on the deck at sunset as canapés are served. For beer drinkers there is a range of international and local brews. Alternatively enjoy a coffee served hot or iced depending on the climate. A pot of green tea adds an additional authentic touch. Relax, we'll bring it to your table.
Route
Your cruise through Halong Bay wends among otherworldly karst formations and opens up views of one stupendous seascape after another. Be sure to key on the following attractions, as well. Changeable conditions and tides can affect the route, visibility and anchorage, but the following spots should be visible from the sun deck.
Sung Sot Grotto
Early French tourists who wandered among the 10,000 square meters of this cavern dubbed this space "Grotte des Surprises", or Surprise Cave. Sung Sot more than lives up to its name on Bon Ho Island, situated right at the heart of the UNESCO-recognised World Heritage area.
From the wharf, 50 steep stone steps lead up to the entrance, but the view is worth the effort. The grotto features thousands of stalactites and stalagmites. Paths, lights and signposts guide you through two caves which continue to offer yet more twists, turns and, yes, surprises throughout.
Cua Van and Vung Vieng Floating Villages
Seven hundred people live at Cua Van in a calm bay surrounded by limestone karsts. Most, not surprisingly, earn their living by fishing and spend almost their entire existence living on the water.
The following day you will also pass Vung Vieng Floating Village. Sixteen hundred people live on Halong Bay itself in similar communities.
Hang Trong Anchorage
The Emeraude anchors at Hang Trong. Hang Trong , or Drum Cave, refers to a nearby cave that earned its name as a result of the sound made as the wind blows through its stalagmites and stalactites.
The waters here are quiet for swimming and there is lots to explore by kayak.
Depending on conditions there are as many as five potential anchorage spots. Though Hang Trong is the most used, conditions may mean the vessel's captain opts for another site.
Titov Island
Titov Island was named after an illustrious visitor, Gherman Stepanovich Titov, who visited the spot on November 22, 1962 alongside President Ho Chi Minh. The Soviet astronaut was the second person to orbit the earth. Titov himself returned some 35 years later on June 27, 1997.
The island is noted for a beautiful crescent-shaped beach that's popular with swimmers and water sports enthusiasts. You may also hike 420 steps up to a pavilion at the summit for a panoramic view of Halong Bay.
Soi Sim Island
On its return to Bai Chay, the Emeraude cruises past Soi Sim. Unlike the limestone karsts, this soil-based island supports ancient trees and a stunning white sand beach.
Practicalities
Emeraude Cafe
From shuttle to cruiser, we anticipate virtually direct boarding but, for those arriving independently, the Emeraude Cafe offers a comfortable place to spend time until embarkation.
Shop for souvenirs or enjoy a drink or snack. The Café serves a wide selection of international food including freshly made sandwiches, panini and pizzas. In addition, there are teas, coffees, fresh juices and a wide ranging wine list.
The Emeraude Cafe also provides complimentary WIFI access.
Emeraude Pier & Embarkation
After boarding via Emeraude Pier, park your luggage in your cabin and head to the sundeck for a refreshing welcome cocktail.
A buffet lunch is served as the vessel casts off and heads out onto the magical waters and into the unrivalled scenery of Halong Bay.
Pastime: While aboard the Emeraude, be as active or as indolent as you please.
- Go caving at Sung Sot Grotto. Take in the bay from its entrance before heading into the darkness and its natural wonders.
- Experience the jade-green waters. At the overnight anchorage, take a swim from the dock, dive from our decks or launch a kayak for a nearby islet.
- Drink a cold beverage. Prepare for sunset with a drink in one hand and a camera in the other.
- Whet your appetite. Learn a few tricks of the trade from our Vietnamese chefs at a cooking demonstration.
- Behold the silver screen. After dark, gather topside for a viewing of "Indochine," projected on deck with surround sound and surround scenery. An unparalleled movie experience.
- Squid anyone? Try your hand at squid fishing with the Emeraude crew.
- Tai Chi, Halong style. To enjoy the ultimate serenity in the ultimate location, meet our tai chi instructor on the sun deck at dawn with complimentary tea and coffee.
- All Hands on Deck. Foot and shoulder massages in the sunshine or go below deck for body wraps and scrubs - without losing that Halong Bay View.
Sundeck Emereude Cruise
