Bassac Cruise the Mekong delta

An overnight journey on the Mekong on board the Bassac and an allegory to the discovery of the Mekong delta, its countryside and floating markets.

This is an introduction to wooden boats named the Bassac and the services on board, especially the cuisine in the galley, all from fresh local produce, and the visits onto shore and into the rice fields. Although staged, it depicts the actual journeys and services on board.

This short film was directed by Thibaud Taillant for TransMékong in 2011, and features Trình Thị Thiện and photographer Morgan Ommer (with Digital Mekong).

The Bassac [up]

The Bassac are three elegant rides sharing the same standards and mostly differing in size.

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 TransMékong 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.

Cabins

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.

The cabins are scented by Laurent Séverac, perfumer in Hanoi.

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.

Utilities and services on board

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.

source: youtube/transmekong