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.

Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty is of more than 1500square km. This picturesque "Dragon descending to the sea" Bay has 1,969 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them containing beautiful grottoes. Emeraude Cruises launched this Emeraude on 16 Dec 2003, the first ever luxury cruise ship designed as a direct inspiration from the past and built in Vietnam. Holiday-makers on Emeraude will cruise around scenic, memorable and beautiful Halong Bay.