Au Co

During your three day cruise around Halong Bay, The Au Co offers different menus including carefully crafted set menus and BBQ parties. A tailor-made menu designed for vegan, gluten free and other dietary preferences is available upon request.

There are no medical personnel on board the ships in Vietnam, but shore-based services are accessible nearby. Guests are responsible for all medical costs, including practitioner visits to the ship. APT is not responsible for the quality of care provided. For this reason, travel insurance is recommended

For the comfort and enjoyment of all our guests, smoking is NOT allowed in any of the vessel’s interior spaces. However, smoking is permitted in the sheltered external areas designated for smoking, on the Sundeck, the open balcony and other boat decks on port and starboard. Smoking is permitted on open decks but not near open doors, windows, hatches or ventilation intakes, the petrol storage tank, kitchen area, dining area, and the bars. A guest must be at least 18 years of age to purchase, possess or use tobacco products onboard. Cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco must always be properly disposed of and never thrown overboard.

Vietnam and Cambodia have made remarkable progress in expanding internet access. Broadband internet is widely accessible in urban areas, with high-speed connections and 4G mobile networks. Major cities have good coverage and strong connectivity options. However, in rural areas, including your Mekong River cruise, internet access can be limited, and connection speeds may be slower.

APT cruises and tours in Vietnam and Cambodia can be physically demanding, especially due to the heat, humidity and developing infrastructure. Many of the sites you will visit require a high level of fitness, as well as good health and mobility, to fully participate. Some trips may not be appropriate if you have any certain medical conditions or mobility restrictions. In some destinations, excursions involve extensive walking, including standing on your feet for extended periods, navigating uneven or loose ground, stairs, and steep inclines. 

It is your responsibility to advise APT of any preexisting medical conditions that may affect the normal conduct of a holiday package, your enjoyment and that of other guests. You may be required to fill out a Health, Fitness and Mobility questionnaire to assist APT in assessing your abilities.

APT requires you to advise us of any allergies or dietary requirements both when booking and upon arrival with your Tour Director. Most suppliers need advance notice to cater to your allergy and dietary requirements. While APT will pass on your requirements to the relevant suppliers, they cannot guarantee that all requests will be met but will do their best to accommodate them. Please note that you may be required to fill out an allergy form for our third-party suppliers.

Your accounts are settled at the end of your cruise. Credit card is the preferred method of payment; however, your account can also be settled by cash (US dollars only). Prepaid Cash Cards, Diners Club Cards, or EFTPOS are not accepted. Please note that if you are using a Travel Card pre-loaded with local currency or USD, it can be used like a credit card. However, some credit card facilities in Vietnam and Cambodia may not be able to process these cards. APT recommends bringing additional credit cards with you, in case the Travel Card is not accepted. 

The dress code is ‘casual light’. Daywear should be comfortable and casual, while smart casual attire is recommended for evenings on the ship. You may want to bring something slightly dressier for the welcome and farewell dinners. Formal or black-tie attire is not required, and both smart and casual clothing are acceptable in restaurants.

Comfortable footwear is essential; many excursions involve walking on uneven ground, steps, or ramps, as well as boarding or disembarking from the ship, coaches, or smaller boats. Shoes may need to be removed when visiting temples and pagodas.

Luggage

Each guest is permitted one piece of luggage, with a maximum size of 160 cm (63 inches) and a weight limit of 20 kg (44 pounds). It is advisable to keep your luggage to a minimum weight, as you may be required to look after it yourself at airports and hotels. An additional charge will apply for porterage handling of extra luggage. Your Tour Director will provide details of any additional charges.

Clothing and Footwear

Vietnam and Cambodia are conservative countries, so you should dress accordingly. As a general guideline, shoulders and knees should be covered when entering buildings of a religious nature and family homes. We recommend packing light to medium-weight clothing, along with rainwear for cooler or wet weather. Layers are ideal for varying temperatures and changing conditions.

The dress code is ‘casual light’. Daywear should be comfortable and casual, while smart casual attire is recommended for evenings on the ship. You may want to bring something slightly dressier for the welcome and farewell dinners. Formal or black-tie attire is not required, and both smart and casual clothing are acceptable in restaurants.

Comfortable footwear is essential; many excursions involve walking on uneven ground, steps, or ramps, as well as boarding or disembarking from the ship, coaches, or smaller boats. Shoes may need to be removed when visiting temples and pagodas.

Travel Documents

• Passport and visas (if required).
• Travel insurance policy including policy number and 24-hour emergency contact number.
• Travel vaccination certificates (if required).
• Airline tickets and/or boarding pass, APT itinerary and Essential Information (electronically).
• Wallet or money belt containing (cash, credit cards, bank cards).
• Photocopies of important documents, such as spare
• passport photos, important addresses and contact numbers.

Personal Items

• Backpack (extra layers, water, rain gear, snacks, sunglasses, small umbrella etc.)
• Reusable water bottle.
• Medications and copies of prescriptions.
• Sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitiser, sunglasses and sunhat.
• Clear zip-lock plastic bag to contain all liquids, gels, and aerosols
• from inside your carry-on luggage.
• Antibacterial gel or wipes.
• Travel-size toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, body lotion, insect repellent).
• Smart-casual clothing such as long/short- sleeve shirts,
• jeans, trousers, shorts, skirts, socks, underwear and sleepwear.
• Comfortable footwear such as sneakers.
• Windproof jacket.

Travel Tech Assessories:

• Electronics such as mobile phones, smart tablets, and/or laptops.
• Camera, memory card and charger.
• Plug adapter and voltage converter suitable for your destination.

Valuables and Security

Do not take anything with you that will create emotional or financial hardship if lost or stolen. Carry all documents, money, your passport, and tickets with you. Do not carry these important items in your suitcase. You may find a money belt, worn inside clothing, useful while traveling.

Tap water in Vietnam and Cambodia is generally not recommended to drink. Be mindful of different meals you will consume day to day while on holiday. It’s a good idea to pack some medicine to alleviate the symptoms of an upset stomach from eating foods that are not a part of your regular diet. It is best to drink bottled or filtered water when travelling. Always ensure the seal is intact prior to consuming. Bottled or filtered water should always be used for cleaning your teeth, unless you are specifically advised the tap water is safe for this purpose. If you are unsure, please ask your Tour Director.

Water Bottles

APT is committed to reducing waste, the use of plastic water bottles and the environmental impact of APT tours. As such, water refill stations are available in the hotels, in larger vehicles and on board the Mekong River cruise. We encourage you to bring your own refillable water bottle or purchase one in country.

Street Food

When visiting countries where you are unsure about general hygiene, please take care if buying food from street vendors or in small restaurants away from your hotel, cruise ship or recommended venues. At these places, avoid raw fruit and vegetables, dairy products (including ice-cream) as well as meat and fish not properly cooked. In general, it is safe to eat cooked meats and vegetables prepared in tourist hotels and tourist area restaurants. Fruit that you peel yourself is considered safe. You can feel safe eating anything served to you at the tour hotels and while on board your cruise. Never buy alcohol from street vendors.

Sun Exposure and Dehydration

Weather conditions may vary during the tour. To prevent dehydration, it’s important to drink plenty of water. A hat and high-quality sunscreen are essential to protect against sunburn, even on overcast days. Please bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated.