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Mekong Song Xanh Sampan

Description

We have a flotilla of 4 very unique, authentic and charming Sampans named Song Xanh Sampan, designed for travelers looking for “private” cruise experiences in the Mekong Delta (Mekong Delta boat trip). Each sampan has 2-3 spacious cabins of 15sqm each are equipped with beautiful bamboo and rattan furniture, creating a very charming atmosphere. A very attentive service is provided by a team of 4 crew members.

Each Song Xanh sampan will carry a charming rowing boat (“Xuong”), nicely designed for deeper cruises along small canals and arroyos during the itinerary. Bicycles can also be taken on board (fixed on a rack the back) for exciting “out of the track” countryside rides. It’s designed for individuals looking for authentic “Private Cruise” experience, with overnight on board.

  • Victoria
  • Launch 2012
  • 3 cabins
  • Wooden
  • Mekong Delta
  • Vietnam

Song Xanh Sampan's Facilities

  • 24-hour Security
  • Observatory
  • Restaurant

Travel Map

Song Xanh Sampan map

Note*: the above map is for Cai Be – Sa Dec – Long Xuyen – Rach Gia Itinerary. You would see your travel destinations basing on map for other itineraries.

Cruise Itineraries

Note*: Cruise itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather and operating conditions.

Option 1: Saigon – Cai Be – Sa Dec – Can Tho

Begin cruising from Phu An Jetty at 11:00 am. From the Song Xanh sampan, observe life as it plays out on shore – people going about their daily activities against picturesque landscapes – while your attentive crew serves tea and seasonal fruit. Before arriving at Sa Dec, stop at various points along the river for a look into some of the cottage industries of the region including a brick factory where everything is made by hand, pass monkey bridges and tiny villages to visit a Cao Dai temple.

Arrive in Sa Dec and stroll to the outdoor market. Visit one of the highlights of the charming town, the ancient house of Huynh Thuy Le, a real-life character in the celebrated novel and film “The Lover” by Marguerite Duras.

Lunch is served on board while cruising towards Can Tho along a narrow canal teeming with life. Explore the countryside surroundings by local rowboat.

After returning onboard, Song Xanh Sampan continues its cruise towards the Hau River. Dinner and overnight on board.

Meals: Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation:  Song Xanh Sampan

Wake up early at 6:00 am for a visit to the famous Cai Rang Floating Market which operates daily starting from 5:00 am. Breakfast is served on board while the Song Xanh navigates towards the market among local barges loaded down with fruits and vegetables from the Delta, making for some stunning photos.

Continue cruising towards Victoria Can Tho. Checkout and and disembark at the hotel’s private jetty at about 9am. Trip ends.

Note*: The floating markets in the Mekong Delta are no tourist markets but wholesale markets where produce of the Mekong Delta like fruits and vegetables are traded. For this reason the number of boats on the market fluctuates depending on harvesting seasons and market demand. Furthermore, modern wholesale markets are becoming more popular in Vietnam. This can result in decreasing numbers of boats being present on the markets.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: n/a

Option 2: Saigon – Can Tho – Sa Dec – Cai Be

Meet at the Victoria Can Tho Resort jetty at 10:00 am.

Our crew welcomes you on board with cold towels and a refreshing drink while your private Song Xanh sampan sets off for its leisurely cruise on the river.

Cruise the waterways of the Mekong Delta, observing villagers going about their daily activities against picturesque landscapes while your attentive crew serves tea and seasonal fruit.

Sail past local barges laden with produce from the Delta as you enjoy lunch on board, with the mighty Hau River as a backdrop, one of the two largest arms of the Mekong.

Transfer to a small rowboat to better explore the beautiful waterways and peaceful villages.

Visit the historic house of “The Lover”, a real-life character in the acclaimed novel and film by Marguerite Duras.

Enjoy your dinner on the Song Xanh board, on the Tien River.

Meals: Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Song Xanh Sampan

Begin cruising in the early morning hours at about 6:30 am, just as the villages begin to stir and children get ready for school.

After a leisurely breakfast on board, our first shore excursion visits a colorful Cao Dai temple and a small brick factory.

Arriving at Cai Be, step ashore to visit local cottage industries that utilize products from the Delta like rice and coconuts to make tasty snacks including puffed rice and chewy coconut candy.

Our cruise ends at Le Longanier Restaurant. Lunch is served in this exquisite riverside colonial-style villa set in lush tropical gardens and surrounded by fruit plantations, a throwback to the elegant lifestyle enjoyed by a privileged few in Indochinese times.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: n/a

Cai Be – Sa Dec – Long Xuyen – Rach Gia – Phu Quoc island

Your trip starts from Phu An Jetty at 10:00 am. After lunch at Le Longanier Restaurant, the crew welcomes you on board the Song Xanh sampan with chilled towels and a refreshing drink as the boat begins its leisurely cruise on the river.

Head ashore at local cottage industries that utilize products from the Delta like rice and coconuts to make tasty snacks including puffed rice and chewy coconut candy.

Visit a traditional brick factory where everything is made by hand.

Visit the historic house of “The Lover”, a real-life character in the acclaimed novel and film by Marguerite Duras.

Enjoy your night on board your sampan as it moors on the Mekong River.

Meals: Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation:  Song Xanh Sampan

Breakfast is served on board as you cruise towards Long Xuyen along narrow canals past several rustic monkey bridges and pristine countryside scenes.

Arrive in Long Xuyen to visit Tiger Island, birthplace of Vietnam’s second president.

Back on the sampan, dinner is served as the boat makes its way to Rach Gia, the capital of Kien Giang Province. Settle down for your second night on the river.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation:  Song Xanh Sampan

Breakfast is served on board before disembarkation. Transfer to the jetty for early morning speedy boat to Phu Quoc Island. Trip ends.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: n/a

Rach Gia – Long Xuyen – Sa Dec – Cai Be

Meet the boat in Rach Gia at 10:00 am where your crew is set to welcome you on board with cold towels and a refreshing drink. Begin a leisurely cruise along the scenic waterways of the Delta aboard your Song Xanh private sampan.

Lunch is served on board before arriving in Long Xuyen. Shore excursion to Tiger Island (Cu Lao Ong Ho), once the home of Ton Duc Thang, Vietnam’s second president. Explore the museum and the picturesque grounds. Dinner is served onboard. Enjoy your first night on board the Song Xanh Sampan on the Hau River.

Meals: Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Song Xanh Sampan

Enjoy an early breakfast on board while your sampan cruises downstream. Arrive in the charming town of Sa Dec and visit one of its highlights, the ancient house of Huynh Thuy Le, a real-life character in the celebrated Indochina-era novel “The Lover” by Marguerite Duras. Stroll around town to observe the architectural influences from French colonial times as well as the large Chinese and Khmer communities that were established here. As a result, many religions are represented side by side: a Cao Dai temple, a Catholic church, a Chinese temple and Vietnamese pagodas.

Lunch and dinner are served on board. Enjoy your second night aboard the Song Xanh on the Mekong River.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Song Xanh Sampan

Early morning cruising towards Cai Be. Observe life as it plays out on shore – people going about their daily activities against picturesque riverscapes – while your crew serves breakfast on board. Stop at various points along the way for a fascinating look into some of the home-based cottage industries of the region including brick factories and local food production like coconut candy and puffed rice.

Your cruise ends at Le Longanier Restaurant. Lunch is served in this exquisite colonial-style villa set in a lush tropical garden by the river and surrounded by fruit plantations, a glimpse into the Indochina of yesteryear.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Accommodation: n/a

Upstream: Saigon – Cai Be – Sa Dec – Long Xuyen – Chau Doc

Your trip starts from Phu An Jetty at 10:00 am. After lunch at Le Longanier Restaurant, the crew welcomes you on board the Song Xanh sampan with chilled towels and a refreshing drink as the boat begins its leisurely cruise on the river.

Head ashore at local cottage industries that utilize products from the Delta like rice and coconuts to make tasty snacks including puffed rice and chewy coconut candy.

Visit a traditional brick factory where everything is made by hand.

Visit the historic house of “The Lover”, a real-life character in the acclaimed novel and film by Marguerite Duras.

Enjoy your night on board your Song Xanh sampan as it moors on the Mekong River.

Meals: Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation:  Song Xanh Sampan

Rising up early for another nice day. We contemplate sunrise while having breakfast on
Song Xanh Sampan.

Visit of a brickyard at the entrance of the Sa Dec city. Then, we continue to the lively Sa Dec market followed by a pleasant stroll in the direction of the old house of Mr. L’Amant, the school of Trưng Vương where the mother of Marguerite Duras was a teacher.

Discover the temple of Caodaism and the gardens of flowers and bonsai where you will find many kinds of flowers and bonsai planted in Sa Dec “garden of Cochinchine in the 19th century”.

Breakfast is served on board as you cruise towards Long Xuyen along narrow canals past several rustic monkey bridges and pristine countryside scenes.

Arrive in Long Xuyen to visit Tiger Island, birthplace of Vietnam’s second president.

Back on the Song Xanh sampan, dinner is served as the boat makes its way to Chau Doc, close to the border with Cambodia. Settle down for your second night on the river.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation:  Song Xanh Sampan

Breakfast is served on board while your sampan cruises towards Chau Doc. Known throughout Vietnam for its pagodas and temples, Chau Doc is also famous for the Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, a superb eucalyptus mangrove.

Disembark at Victoria resort’s private pier at approximately 10:00 am.

Note*: From Chau Doc, you can take the Speedy boat to Phnom Penh. All activities/transfers after the cruise are not included.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: n/a

Downstream: Chau Doc – Long Xuyen – Sa Dec – Cai Be

Your crew welcomes you at the Victoria Chau Doc Hotel jetty at 10:00am with cold towels and a refreshing drink as your Song Xanh private sampan sets off for its leisurely cruise on the waterways around Chau Doc towards Long Xuyen, traveling along a narrow canal past monkey bridges and peaceful villages.

Lunch is served on board before arriving in Long Xuyen. Visit Tiger Island (Cu Lao Ong Ho), a small island that was once the home of Vietnam’s second president – Ton Duc Thang. Take a stroll around the park surrounding the museum and cycle around the island for a better look.

Your last stopover before sunset is at a Vietnamese home to gain insight into how the locals live. The owner will welcome you and a candlelit dinner will be served.

Enjoy your first night on board the Song Xanh on the Hau River.

Meals: Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Song Xanh Sampan

Breakfast is served on board at 7:00 am while your Song Xanh sampan cruises downstream. Arrive in Sa Dec in time for a stroll around this charming town. Visit one of the town’s highlights, the ancient house of Huynh Thuy Le, a real-life character in the celebrated novel and film “The Lover” by Marguerite Duras. The small town is well worth exploring as it played an important role in the development of the Mekong Delta. Large Chinese and Khmer communities were established here, while the French also left their mark on the local architecture. As a result, many religions are represented side by side: a Cao Dai temple, a Catholic church, a Chinese temple and Vietnamese pagodas. Lunch and dinner are served on board. Enjoy your second night aboard the Song Xanh Sampan on the Mekong River.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Song Xanh Sampan

We begin cruising at 6:00 am towards Cai Be. Observe life as it plays out on shore – people going about their daily activities against picturesque landscapes – while your crew serves breakfast onboard. Stop at various points along the way for a look into some of the cottage industries of the region: a brick factory and local food production like coconut candy and puffed rice (the local equivalent of pop corn), small home-based businesses that provide a living for the river people. Your cruise ends at Le Longanier Restaurant. Lunch is served in this exquisite colonial-style villa set in a lush tropical garden by the river, surrounded by fruit plantations, a glimpse into the Indochina of yesteryear.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: n/a

Cai Be – Sa Dec – Long Xuyen – Chau Doc – Phnom Penh

Your trip starts from Phu An Jetty at 10:00 am. After lunch at Le Longanier Restaurant, the crew welcomes you on board the Song Xanh sampan with chilled towels and a refreshing drink as the boat begins its leisurely cruise on the river.

Head ashore at local cottage industries that utilize products from the Delta like rice and coconuts to make tasty snacks including puffed rice and chewy coconut candy.

Visit a traditional brick factory where everything is made by hand.

Visit the historic house of “The Lover”, a real-life character in the acclaimed novel and film by Marguerite Duras.

Enjoy your night on board your Song Xanh sampan as it moors on the Mekong River.

Meals: Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation:  Song Xanh Sampan

Rising up early for another nice day. We contemplate sunrise while having breakfast on
Song Xanh Sampan.

Visit of a brickyard at the entrance of the Sa Dec city. Then, we continue to the lively Sa Dec market followed by a pleasant stroll in the direction of the old house of Mr. L’Amant, the school of Trưng Vương where the mother of Marguerite Duras was a teacher.

Discover the temple of Caodaism and the gardens of flowers and bonsai where you will find many kinds of flowers and bonsai planted in Sa Dec “garden of Cochinchine in the 19th century”.

Breakfast is served on board as you cruise towards Long Xuyen along narrow canals past several rustic monkey bridges and pristine countryside scenes.

Arrive in Long Xuyen to visit Tiger Island, birthplace of Vietnam’s second president.

Back on the Song Xanh sampan, dinner is served as the boat makes its way to Chau Doc, close to the border with Cambodia. Settle down for your second night on the river.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation:  Song Xanh Sampan

Breakfast is served on board while your sampan cruises towards Chau Doc. Known throughout Vietnam for its pagodas and temples, Chau Doc is also famous for the Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, a superb eucalyptus mangrove.

Disembark at Victoria Chau Doc private pier at approximately 10:00 am. Take a short walk to your Victoria Resort. Free till checkin.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Victoria Resort

Early morning breakfast at the hotel. Then walk to the jetty for speedy boat to Phnom Penh. Arrive Phnom Penh in early afternoon. Trip ends.

Note*: the speedy boat leaves early in the morning. We are not responsible if you are late for any reason.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: n/a

Downstream: Phnom Penh – Chau Doc – Long Xuyen – Sa Dec – Cai Be

In the early morning, pickup at the hotel in Phnom Penh for speedy boat to Chau Doc. Arrive Chau Doc in early afternoon. Short walk to your Victoria Resort for checkin. Free to relax or explore Chau Doc town.

Note*: Speedy boat from Phnom Penh to Chau Doc would departs in early morning or early afternoon. You would depart Phnom Penh in the morning or afternoon depending on the speedy boat’s time schedule.

Meals: n/a
Accommodation: Victoria Resort

Breakfast at Victoria Resort. Then take short walk to the jetty at 10:00am with cold towels and a refreshing drink as your Song Xanh private sampan sets off for its leisurely cruise on the waterways around Chau Doc towards Long Xuyen, traveling along a narrow canal past monkey bridges and peaceful villages.

Lunch is served on board before arriving in Long Xuyen. Visit Tiger Island (Cu Lao Ong Ho), a small island that was once the home of Vietnam’s second president – Ton Duc Thang. Take a stroll around the park surrounding the museum and cycle around the island for a better look.

Your last stopover before sunset is at a Vietnamese home to gain insight into how the locals live. The owner will welcome you and a candlelit dinner will be served.

Enjoy your first night on board the Song Xanh on the Hau River.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Song Xanh Sampan

Breakfast is served on board at 7:00 am while your Song Xanh sampan cruises downstream. Arrive in Sa Dec in time for a stroll around this charming town. Visit one of the town’s highlights, the ancient house of Huynh Thuy Le, a real-life character in the celebrated novel and film “The Lover” by Marguerite Duras. The small town is well worth exploring as it played an important role in the development of the Mekong Delta. Large Chinese and Khmer communities were established here, while the French also left their mark on the local architecture. As a result, many religions are represented side by side: a Cao Dai temple, a Catholic church, a Chinese temple and Vietnamese pagodas. Lunch and dinner are served on board. Enjoy your second night aboard the Song Xanh Sampan on the Mekong River.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Song Xanh Sampan

We begin cruising at 6:00 am towards Cai Be. Observe life as it plays out on shore – people going about their daily activities against picturesque landscapes – while your crew serves breakfast onboard. Stop at various points along the way for a look into some of the cottage industries of the region: a brick factory and local food production like coconut candy and puffed rice (the local equivalent of pop corn), small home-based businesses that provide a living for the river people. Your cruise ends at Le Longanier Restaurant. Lunch is served in this exquisite colonial-style villa set in a lush tropical garden by the river, surrounded by fruit plantations, a glimpse into the Indochina of yesteryear.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: n/a

Important note*

  • PROGRAMS & SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASING ON ACTUAL SITUATION.
  • For overnight registration, we will need passport information (Full name, sex, Nationality, passport number, date of birth) of passengers at least four weeks prior to cruise date.

Cabins & Rates

Cabintype Rates
(US$/person)

Song Xanh Sampan
  • 15sqm
  • Main deck
  • Double/twin beds
  • Max 2 persons


Contact us for price

Note*: The price would vary depending on your selected itineraries, date of departures, number of passengers. Please book the tour or contact us for best rate of your itinerary.

Booking Policy

  • All meals included in selected program by Song Xanh Sampan
  • Accommodation on board based on twin share
  • English speaking guide during the cruise
  • Sight-seeing of Mekong Delta
  • Biking and sampan boat rides (if any)
  • If you book 4 days to/from Phnom Penh:
    Chau Doc – Phnom Penh or vs speedy boat
    1 night at the Vicroria Resort in Chau Doc
  • Transfers before/after the cruise package
  • Drinks
  • Tour guide gratuities
  • Any visa fees

Cancellation by Customer
For cancellations of bookings, the following charges will apply:

  • 30 days before departure: 25% of total rates
  • From 15 to 29 days before departure: 75% of total rates
  • Under 15 days before departure: 100% of total rates
  • Maximum one Child under 5 years old sharing a cabin with 2 (two) adults receives a 75 % discount.
  • One child from 5 to 11 years sharing a cabin with two adults receives a 50 % discount.
  • If there is 02 infant stay with parent in 01 Cabin, there will be charge 50% as an adult.

Note*: Price for children would vary depending if you book package to Phu Quoc Island or Phnom Penh. Please contact us for details.

Song Xanh Sampan Amenities

  • Cabinet
  • Free Wifi - Public area
  • Hair Dryer
  • Non Smoking Rooms
  • Private Bathroom
  • Seating Area
  • Shower
  • Toiletries

Questions & Answers


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We recommend wearing loose and comfortable clothing made of cotton or modern material that can readily cool off sweat and body hear. The type of shoes will depend on the excursion types so best to have both light, open toed shoes as well as good walking/hiking shoes with you. A sun hat is always a good idea to bring along.
Southern Vietnam and Cambodia are warm all year-round, but our other cruise destinations can get chilly during the winter months (Laos, Myanmar or northern Vietnam). Therefore, it is always recommended to bring a pullover or a warm jacket with you during this period.
Many of our cruises include visits to local temples or pagodas. When visiting these holy sites, make sure to wear appropriate clothing which covers your shoulders and knees.

Generally speaking, the rivers we are cruising on in Southeast Asia are very calm and there is hardly any motion on any of our ships. A bit of motion can occur during monsoon rains with stormy winds, but the amount of motion is much less than one would feel during bad weather on the open ocean.
Sea cruises as we offer in Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay can sometimes encounter heavier waters and ship motion, although this happens very rarely and port authorities will most likely not allow sailing under any such circumstances anyway.
If you are new to cruising or prone to motion sickness, it does not hurt to bring along some motion sickness medication. Drinking a nice hot fresh ginger tea is a natural remedy and tasty alternative our staff is always happy to make for you.

All food and beverage on board is completely safe to eat and enjoy, including the ice cubes you enjoy in your chilled drinks. We do not recommend drinking water straight from the tap anywhere, including onboard. We provide you with complimentary clean drinking water throughout your cruise.
You may want to be bit careful with local dishes as they can be spicier than you are used to from home. Approach new dishes slowly and carefully. If you have a sensitive stomach, then you may like to double check with our chef or onboard managers about specific dishes or meals.
On excursions, it may be a good idea to avoid local foods and snacks unless offered by our tour guides. Besides the above, in general we recommend the following motto for your pre- and post-cruise travelling in the Southeast Asian tropics: boil it, peel it, cook it, wash it or forget it!

The most effective protection from personal contamination is ensuring strict attention to personal hygiene and in particular, frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water and refraining from hand-to-mouth contact. Colds and other viruses can spread quickly in an enclosed area such as a ship. Continue to practice common-sense hygiene and respiratory courtesy. Wash your hands often and cover your coughs and sneeze. It is recommended that passengers carry anti-bacterial hand sanitizer, which does not require rinsing with water. Use sanitizer frequently and throughout the day, particularly after shore excursions and prior to meals. If you have any questions regarding your health or safety, please do not hesitate to ask your cruise director.

Motion sickness can be a problem for some people when cruising, flying or travelling on coaches and trains and it is a good idea to take precautionary measures. Over-the-counter drugs for treating motion sickness can be purchased at pharmacies in most countries, though a side effect can by drowsiness. Alternatives such as ginger tablets and acupressure wristbands are also available and work well for some people.

We recommend at least purchasing travel health insurance which covers both in- & outpatient visits and medical repatriation. Buying additional trip cancellation and interruption coverage may also be beneficial in case you have to cancel your travel plans due to unforeseen circumstances.

We always recommend bringing a travel adapter as a standard item in your travel kit. You can borrow an adapter on board, but these may be limited.

It is customary in Asia to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is expected - though not compulsory - and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from $3-$5 USD per person per day depending on the quality and length of the service.

Indochina Countries use 220V, and a mixture of flat 2-pin, round 2-pin or 3 pin plugs. It is recommended to bring a universal plug adapter.

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5 star ratingRomantic private sampan cruise We loved our private three day Sampan on the Mekong delta. We have had many barge (usually bike and barge) trips in Europe, so we are partial to that kind of trip, but this one stood out. It is a... read more
Wayne F Avatar
Wayne F
16/12/22
5 star ratingRomantic and Exclusive We absolutely loved our private sampan cruise on the Mekong River. The boat was lovely. Staff amazing. And Mr. Alan our guide was vivacious, knowledgeable and just a wonderful trip companion!!
Cindy Avatar
Cindy
26/11/22
5 star ratingUnique Experience We loved our overnight Sampan journey along the Mekong river. The stops were interesting and the food was great.The crew really looked after us and made us feel special. Lovely to just float along and see people going about their... read more
MikeH98 Avatar
MikeH98
20/11/22
5 star ratingA beautiful cruise a long Hau river The Song Xanb Sampange is very unique. My family had 3 days 2 nights cruise along the river and it was amazing. We will come back
Kitty 2022 Avatar
Kitty 2022
11/10/22
5 star ratingCan Tho - Cai Be (1 night) Incredible!!!! An absolute must if you are in HCM - do not miss this on your trip to Vietnam. The crew was above and beyond, food great, itinerary amazing and the boat itself was very nice and well equipped. The... read more
Rachel Avatar
Rachel
12/08/22
5 star ratingFantastic 2 day/1 night cruise - would definitely recommend. My family thoroughly enjoyed our 2 day/1night cruise on the Mekong Delta. The Sampan was superbly equipped and very clean. We were looked after by the lovely staff and Phi our tour guide. We had all of our... read more
Mel G Avatar
Mel G
28/07/22
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14/11/2024

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