LUX GROUP TO LAUNCH “WOW VIETNAM” AT ITB BERLIN 2023
Vietnam now has world class hotels and resorts, beaches and cuisine, in addition to its natural beauty, rich history and traditional culture.
Blessed with geographical location, climate, and natural resources, Vietnam has shown plenty of potential for developing tourism. With more than 3,000 km of coastline covering green forests and majestic landscapes, this nation also boasts about 125 beaches and ranks in the top 12 countries for the most beautiful bays in the world. 70% activities come from maritime tourism.
“We used the seven letters of the country’s name: V – Varied landscape, I – Indigenous culture, E – Exotic beaches, T – Timeless charm, N – Natural heritage sites, A – Ancient cities, M – Memories to cherish forever”, said Pham Ha Founder and CEO Lux Group.
“WOW Vietnam” was created with an aim to attract discerning travelers, who wish to experience its defining characteristics: thrills, nature, heritage, festival, pristine, experiential travel, scenery and essence.
“As travel expert, here is our definition of charm that the slogan of Vietnam tourism must be promoted in all trade shows, embassies, all media, travel players even local people. We promote luxury, MICE, Adventura, The secret hideaway collection and our heritage cruises line with authentic and unique travel experiences at ITB Berlin 2023”.
“Depending in each market and need, the marketing campaign can be focused and bespoke such as endless of discovery, food, nature, culture, shops…. Discover, dream, explore, indulge, relax and immerse in the cultural and natural heritage of Vietnam.”
Thrills
The thrills offered are endless and span a wide range, including: hiking, trekking, biking, kayaking, climbing, rafting, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, hot air ballooning, camping, yachting and more. Some of the locations where these activities can be enjoyed include: Sapa, Halong Bay, Cat Ba Archipelago, Cu Lao Cham, the Central Highlands, the Mekong Delta, Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, Con Dao, the Phu Quoc Islands and many more.
Nature
The nature amazes visitors, from the green beauty of the national parks, reserves and ramsars, to the mountains, waterfalls, rivers, lakes and grottoes. Halong Bay is among the new Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Visitors will discover the natural allure of Vietnam by indulging in a wide array of accommodations, tour packages and attractions at places such as Mai Chau, Pu Luong, Sapa, Ha Giang, Ba Be, Halong Bay, Phong Nha Ke Bang, the Central Highlands, Nam Cat Tien and many more.
Heritage
With its long history and unique way of life, Vietnam has a rich heritage. There are many interesting and diverse sites to be found around the country. Trang An has been just named world heritage listed site, Vietnam now boasts 8 world natural and cultural heritage sites, not to mention many intangible cultural heritages. Should promote heritage as national tourism brand locally and internationally.
Vietnamese lifestyles
Many colorful festivals can be enjoyed year round. The time after Tet Nguyen Dan (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) is especially exciting. Other festivals include the Perfume Pagoda, Hung King, Kate, and Lim and Giay Festivals, just to name a few. 54 nationalities with 54 various cultures and lifestyles to discover in the country. Vietnamese is friendly and hospital, always with smiles.
Pristine
Many pristine islands and beaches are to be found in this tropical country. Vietnam has 3,620 km of coastline, with beautiful white sand beaches and world class resorts. Of these, you should not miss the stunning sand and clear waters of My Khe, Cua Dai, Nha Trang, Ninh Van Bay, Quy Nhon, Mui Ne, Vung Tau, Phu Quoc and the Con Dao Islands.
Bliss
Holidaymakers have the choice of new and trendy boutique hotels, spas, golfing, cruises, shopping centers, restaurants and nightlife. With new luxury hotels and world class golf courses having recently opened or set to open soon, and the introduction of luxury train journeys, exclusive cruises and upscale private tours spanning the length of the country, Vietnam is fast emerging as an exciting luxury destination in Asia.
Scenery
Spectacular scenery and a diverse landscape exist from North to South. Mountains, forests, nature reserves, rivers, beaches, and islands are all here to be enjoyed. Verdant patchworks of rice paddies and pointed lampshade-style hats are just a small part of what there is to be seen in this formerly war ravaged country. Visitors will see more than the economic repression often portrayed on worldwide television and in newspapers. There is also natural beauty, a harmonious array of ethnic cultures, imperial monuments, timeless traditional villages, idyllic sea resorts and dynamic cities.
Essence
Vietnam boasts scores of traditions, lifestyles and religions. The friendly and hospitable population has been influenced by the cultures of China, France and America, and this is reflected in the country’s lifestyle, architecture, cuisine and art. Vietnamese cuisine is acclaimed worldwide and become the buzz words of all travelers. www.luxgroup.vn
Lux Group Sets Sail on the Blue Ocean Strategy.
Mr. Pham Ha, Founder and CEO of Lux Group, tells local media of his journey in the travel business and the current state of Vietnam’s tourism sector and his ambition to sail along the Vietnamese coastline.
From just one person in 2004, Luxury Travel and now Lux Group’s founder Pham Ha, with many years’ experience in the tourism industry, one laptop and one company, and a passion to provide unique travel experiences to luxury travellers to Vietnam and Southeast Asia. His passion is to elevate and raise the bar of the luxury side of Vietnam tourism.
The Lux Group (www.luxgroup.vn) now has a range of brands with 250 staff, rep offices on five continents, and investments in a variety of businesses such as luxury cruises, transportation, real estate, restaurants, hotels and resorts, and art auctions in Vietnam and Asia.
The entrepreneur, Pham Ha, and the Lux Group have won numerous prestigious travel awards including the Oscar of tourism industry: World Travel Awards 2022.
1.What brought you to the travel industry and why did you choose to serve luxury travelers instead of regular travelers?
My life is a journey, and happiness for me is the voyage, not the destination. I studied both English and French and I enjoy traveling, which brought me to this field. I was at university when I started out as a tour guide, then went through many positions in the travel industry before founding Luxury Travel in 2004 after having earned an BBA, focusing on the luxury segment, which remained unnoticed at that time. I chose the smaller way to achieve greater things, created appropriate experiences to meet customers’ travel wishes and demands, and gradually became a specialist in the domain of luxury travel. Travel is now all about destinations, experiences and memories.
2. How do you define luxury travel and the luxury that you bring to customers?
Vietnam tops lists for culture, food, outdoor travel, art and, of course, beaches and islands. We used the seven letters of the country’s name: V – Varied landscape, I – Indigenous culture, E – Exotic beaches, T – Timeless charm, N – heritage sites, A – Ancient cities, M – Memories to cherish forever.
There is no general definition of “luxury” for everyone. For people who travel abroad for the first time, this is a luxury for them, but for those who have traveled to more than 70 countries, like me, luxury travel is new experiences with personalized touches, where even the smallest needs are fulfilled. We define luxury as the whole of personalized experiences. We provide the right experience to our customers and touch their emotions with pleasant surprises.
#TouchingHearts with a team of locals and expatriates aims to give travelers exactly what they want and anticipate. With dedication and close association with agents and tour operators, we ensure the delivery of authentic luxury travel experiences using expertise, know-how, and solid infrastructure to our luxury clients. Our ambition is to help spread its values, mission, and vision.
3. Who are the luxury travelers coming to Vietnam? Do they have any special demands?
The luxury world includes luxury homes, personal luxury, and luxury services, and luxury travel is part of luxury services, providing high-class facilities with perfect services. Only 3 to 5 per cent of visitors to Vietnam are luxury travelers.
Unlike mass-market travelers, high-end travelers often prefer to travel in small groups and their requirements include privacy and authentic and unique experiences at destinations. This segment can be divided into five groups: The traditional group desires unique and different experiences to show off and attract the attention of others.
The second group enjoys luxury whenever they can. The third group seeks new experiences as they have money, and their numbers are increasing. The last two segments are honeymooners and groups of older people who like luxury as they love traveling with family.
Travel now is all about destinations, experiences and memories. Each destination has secrets, stories, and treasures of cuisine, nature, culture, art, heritage, history and people of that land, which is the main attraction for savvy travelers who come to explore, dream, discover, enjoy, relax, and immerse in cultural and natural heritage.
We are luxury minded experts with many years of experience and know-how expertise in creating unique and memorable travel experiences and creating memories to last a lifetime. Luxury is experiential and personal. We will exceed travelers’ expectations and promise them smooth travel with our award-winning service from our hearts to theirs.
As a long-standing player in the tourism industry, what do you think is negatively affecting the development of tourism?
I find Vietnam’s tourism sector lacks a long-term strategic vision, and development is scattered and unsustainable. In my opinion, there are four major issues that Vietnam needs to act upon immediately. The first is the formulation of tourism policies, the second is human resources, the third is tourism products, and the fourth is effective tourism promotion.
4. The Politburo has issued a resolution on tourism development for the first time and the government is also implementing solutions to develop tourism into a spearhead economic sector. What solutions would you prioritize to promote rapid and sustainable tourism development?
Should must review after 5 years, it’s important to move quickly from resolutions to specific government action, from the central to local levels. Most important is to change the perception of tourism at all levels. Officials must be aware that tourism earns revenue and creates jobs. I have proposed a tourism ministry at many tourism conferences, which would operate independently from the central to local level, following the Thai model. Of the four issues I mentioned above, priority should be given to creating more tourism products, providing incentives for businesses to do what the law does not grant.
We saw that inland waterways were too rudimentary to develop Red River tourism in the north. Hanoi’s ports are inferior to those in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. Connecting Ha Long, Hai Phong, Ninh Binh and Nam Dinh, the great Red River was once the “King of Waterways”, according to the patriotic entrepreneur Bach Thai Buoi, who transformed transportation on the waterways of the north of Vietnam as a whole in the early 20th century. The poor development of Red River tourism is a major setback for Hanoi’s tourism. We bring heritage alive and conquer all rivers in the North by cruising expeditions.
5. Hotel and resort investment is currently booming. Is this a good sign or a bad sign?
Vietnam’s tourism sector lacks forecasts and vision, and this type of sudden development is not sustainable. Many places with large-scale construction are actually ruining the landscape and tourism resources, such as Sapa, Ba Na, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc Island. We never have any foreign tourists booking cable car tours. They go to Sapa, but not to take the cable car. Nha Trang has welcomed Chinese and Russian guests in massive numbers, so hotels mushroomed.
With a lack of a proper architectural planning, this affects the natural landscape and it also deters other Europeans from coming to Nha Trang. Now, it is completely dependent on Chinese travelers, but this will lead to an oversupply of hotels for Chinese mass tourists.
Encouraging European guests back to Nha Trang is difficult. Phu Quoc Island, meanwhile, is growing too quickly and this is also not good. Ha Long Bay is getting more and more crowded and polluted and local authorities do not create new experiences, instead banning popular activities such as swimming and visiting caves and new overnight cruises. Vietnam’s tourism sector should focus on the quality of incoming visitors and the quality of destinations. I am more sad than happy.
6. It seems you love the style of Emperor Bao Dai, as Emperor Cruises is based on his style. Is this style attractive for tourists? Do you find that foreign tourists are interested in this cultural nostalgia?
The Emperor Cruises Nha Trang, Halong and. Phu Quoc was inspired by the lavish lifestyle of Emperor Bao Dai, Vietnam’s last monarch. Built in the style of the 1930s, each suite features interesting stories from his life. There are eight ensuite cabins with a private balcony, ocean views, a butler service, and a limousine.
Cruising artfully, Emperor Cruises aims to bring a truly all-inclusive cruising experience, where you can enjoy every single moment on board and be treated like kings and queens with exquisite cuisine, 24-hour room service, and an interesting itinerary featuring many fun activities. Moreover, you can choose to dine whenever and wherever you wish. There are unlimited free massage and sauna services, food and beverages, and no bill to pay at the end.
I studied Vietnamese history and adore this important historical figure, who tried new ways to improve the country but at the wrong time. Incorporating culture and history into travel experiences is part of our plans and visitors love this nostalgia. Many travelers are familiar with the history of Vietnam but not so many people know about the emperor.
I was also fortunate enough to meet Mr. Nguyen Dac Xuan, a Hue historical researcher, and gathered a lot of unknown information and rare artifacts concerning Emperor Bao Dai, Queen Nam Phuong, and other members of the royal family. We would like visitors to experience the essence of Vietnam through authenticity, culture, heritage, history, and people while cruising with us amid the natural wonders of the country.
7. The last question, how about your sailing plam along the coastline of Vietnam and how about the recovery of your Lux Group in 2023?
We enjoyed 65% recovery last year and 75-90% to pre-pandemic levels. Some markets such as German market, 100% back to 2019 levels. We expect and prepare a full recovery next year. We go to ITB Berlin to promote our authentic, unique travel experiences and call for investors for our very potential of cruises and yachts in Vietnam.
The marine tourism sector, which is a top priority of the country’s sea economy Master Plan 2030-45, has been struggling to attract investment in cruise harbours and coastal infrastructure to lure globally branded cruise fleets connected with worldwide destinations. Cruise services are one of the key products in building marine tourism as a core part of the ‘blue sea economy’ plan.
The coast of Vietnam is ranked the 33rd in the world. This nation ranks in the top 12 countries for the most beautiful bays in the world including Halong, Lan Ha, Lang Co and Nha Trang. Although Vietnam has 3,260 km of coastline, 125 world- class beautiful beaches, 3000 islands, and 28 coastal cities, it still does not have a cruise ship fleet. Vietnam must have cruise ships along the coast and to carry passengers from Vietnam to other countries.
Making a 67.3 per cent share of the country’s total tourism revenue, a top favourite ocean destination among 156 beach nations, cruise tourism in Vietnam has not been promoted properly so far. The number of cruise tourists accounts for only 2-3% of the total number of international visitors to Vietnam. It’s necessary to attract investors to invest in cruise ships and yachts with Vietnamese nationality that run along the coast. Be the first to cruise along Vietnamese coast in 2025 aboard our Lux Cruises!
Heir to the legacy of Vietnam’s king of ships: Sea tourism and expectations for a ‘made in Vietnam’ fleet.
The marine tourism sector, which is a top priority of the country’s sea economy Master Plan 2030-45, has been struggling to attract investment in cruise harbours and coastal infrastructure to lure globally branded cruise fleets connected with worldwide destinations.
Cruise services are one of the key products in building marine tourism as a core part of the ‘blue sea economy’ plan.
“The number of cruise tourists accounts for only 2-3% of the total number of international visitors to Vietnam. With a long coast and beautiful beaches, Vietnam has become a destination for international cruise vesels. Almost all cruises have to dock at cargo ports in Vietnam, while international standards for entertainment and free-duty shops at arrival ports have yet to be developed,” Pham
Ha President and CEO Lux Cruises Group said.
The number of cruise travelers to Vietnam are increasing, and cruise ships to the country are getting bigger, carrying up to 4,500-4,800 passengers. The time of stay at Vietnamese ports is also longer, and they stop at more ports instead of only 1-2 ports as before. However, the number of cruise tourists accounts for only 2-3% of the total number of international travellers to Vietnam.
Pham Ha said sea tourism is still dealing with barriers that have blocked business and kept investors at bays such as Nha Trang, Lan Ha, Ha Long Bay, Phu Quoc Islands for decades. There are bottlenecks for tourism businesses and investors were the legal framework, destination management and poorly linked tour services among the 28 coastal provinces. Cruise tourism in Vietnam has not been promoted properly.
Although Vietnam has 3,000km of coastline, 125 world- class beautiful beaches, 3000 islands, and dozens of coastal cities, it still does not have a cruise ship fleet. Vietnam must have cruise ships to carry passengers from Vietnam to other countries. Pham Ha, emphasized that it is necessary to attract investors to invest in cruise ships and yachts with Vietnamese nationality that run along the coast.
“Adventurous beach sports, diving, kayaking, fishing, night art performances and entertainment should be included for local cruise fleets, while preferential policies are needed for investors in infrastructure, ship building and cruise ports, Ha added.
Lux Cruises Group is positioning as Vietnam’s most luxurious cruise line.
Blessed with geographical location, climate, and natural resources, Vietnam has shown plenty of potential for developing tourism. With more than 3,000 km of coastline covering green forests and majestic landscapes, this nation also boasts about 125 beaches and ranks in the top 12 countries for the most beautiful bays in the world. 70% activities come from maritime tourism.
Promoting island and sea tourism development is what Vietnam Tourism Board has mainly focused on. “We used the seven letters of the country’s name: V – Varied landscape, I – Indigenous culture, E – Exotic beaches, T – Timeless charm, N – Natural heritage sites, A – Ancient cities, M – Memories to cherish forever”. Concludes Pham Ha
Therefore, LUX CRUISES would like to be a part of this mission to dedicate to inspiring the beauty of Vietnam to many more international partners, customers, and friends. Lux Cruises, a member of Lux Group, was founded in 2004 operating chiefly in ultra-luxury and luxury cruise and travel services. The Lux Cruises Group aims to build made-in-Vietnam’s most luxurious cruises fleet serving different bays and islands along the coastline of Vietnam.
Inspired by the spirit and the ambition of Vietnamese entrepreneur Bach Thai Buoi, who was very famous for his patriotism and business success in the early 20th century, Pham Ha built up his brand Heritage Cruises in 2019. This luxury cruise line has now two brands: Emperor Cruises and Heritage Cruises. Each cruise ship is artwork with stunning design and delightful services delivered by their enthusiastic award-winning team since 2014.
Lux Cruises to launch brand new super yacht,
President Cruises and Yacht in 2025 for expedition along the coast of Vietnam
President Cruises’s sleek design, soothing and neutral hues, and contemporary layout were thoughtfully crafted to appeal to a clientele who is seeking relaxation, serenity, and the service they’ve come to expect from the brand.
First and foremost, guests are more than pleased with the ample amount of space both in their suites (purposely not referred to as cabins) as well as across the expansive and numerous common areas of this 190-meter vessel.
The company promiss more square footage per passenger and with just 150 suites and a passenger count of more than 300 for over night and 1000 víitors for a day, guests on board the first sailing were happily surprised with the room to stretch out.
The first made-in-Vietnam mega yacht is stunning, truly a floating work of art, featuring spacious suites that all offer balconies and high ceilings, 5 dining venues, various inviting common areas, multiple pools (including an infinity one), a handful of whirlpools, a spa, fitness center, cigar lounge, and watersports marina. www.lux-cruises.com
Investment, better legal framework needed for cruise growth
A cruise docks at Đà Nẵng’s Tiên Sa Port on a tour in Việt Nam. The country’s cruise industry has not yet invested enough to make it a top destination in Asia and the world. VNS Photo Công Thành
ĐÀ NẴNG – The marine tourism sector, which is a top priority of the country’s sea economy Master Plan 2030-45, has been struggling to attract investment in cruise harbours and coastal infrastructure to lure globally branded cruise fleets connected with worldwide destinations.
Chairman of the Việt Nam Tourism Association Vũ Thế Bình said cruise services are one of the key products in building marine tourism as a core part of the ‘blue sea economy’ plan.
Bình said sea tourism is still dealing with barriers that have blocked business and kept investors at bay for decades.
He said bottlenecks for tourism businesses and investors were the legal framework, destination management and poorly linked tour services among the 28 coastal provinces.
Vũ Duy Vũ, a senior expert of cruise service from Sài Gòn Tourist agency, said less complicated visa arrival procedures, upgrading ports and a highway system connecting ports and destinations are necessary for the cruise industry to thrive.
“Almost all cruises have to dock at cargo ports in Việt Nam, while international standards for entertainment and free-duty shops at arrival ports have yet to be developed,” Vũ said.
“Representative offices of the country’s tourism industry are not available at key cruise markets such as the US, Australia and EU,” he said.
A tourist enjoys kayaking in Hạ Long Bay during a cruise tour in Quảng Ninh. More services and entertainment are needed for cruise growth in Việt Nam. Photo courtesy of Phạm Hà
Phạm Hà, CEO of Lux Group, said the port system from Hải Phòng to HCM City was poor quality and could not handle giant luxury or middle class cruise ships.
Hà said his own ship in Hạ Long Bay needs permissions from 18 local authorities to offer on-board night-stay service, while the group’s Emperor Cruise in Nha Trang had to get an international travel certificate to host dinner on board as ordered by the local tourism authority.
He explained that tourists on his cruise had to transship to visit Lan Hạ Bay in neighbouring Hải Phòng after finishing a tour in Bái Tử Long in Hạ Long Bay of Quảng Ninh province.
Hà said a one-stop procedure and GPS control given by port authorities of Quảng Ninh and Hải Phòng can help cruises exchange tour service at both bays.
Vũ Văn Đảo, director of Vũng Tàu Marina, a ship building company, said his company had to close in 2020 due to regulations on ship management and registration.
He said his 20-seat ships using Copolymer Polypropylene Polystone (PPC) from Europe were not registered for operation as no regulations on new materials for ship building existed.
Đảo said his new double-hull sailing boat design was used for hosting sailing festivals, but was refused by the local industrial park management board.
Flexible and quick responses are needed from local administrations to support the tourism business, he said.
Phạm Ngọc Thủy, director of Quảng Ninh provincial department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said every local destination should build their own unique product that would help keep cruise visitors in Việt Nam longer.
A sailing race is organised in Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu. The service is rarely offered in coastal provinces and cities serving cruises in Việt Nam. Photo courtesy of Vũng Tàu Marina
Quảng Ninh is a rare locality investing in ports for cruise ships, while Đà Nẵng has begun changing dual-use Tiên Sa Port for cruises only.
Thủy said local ports could be built to link cruise tour services with ports in Singapore and East Asia or Southeast Asia for wider options in different countries and destinations.
Adventurous beach sports, diving, kayaking, fishing, night art performances and entertainment should be included for local cruise fleets, while preferential policies are needed for investors in infrastructure, ship building and cruise ports, Hà added. — VNS
Cong Thanh – Vietnamnews.vn
Kayaking in Lan Ha Bay – The Completed Guide to Explore One of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World
When you have chance to visit Lan Ha Bay in the Cat Ba Archipelago aboard Heritage Cruises Binh Chuan Cat Ba Archipelago, besides swimming, climbing or visiting some famous caves, the most activities to discovery Halong Bay is kayaking. Most cruises in Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay offer kayaking. Kayaking will make your Lan Ha Bay trip more interesting, when you get closer to the caves, beaches and limestone Islands. Kayaking is generally assumed to be very safe in these calm waters of the Gulf of Tonkin but there is still some areas and warning that you should avoid and listen to the tour guide. So you should know some steps about kayaking in Lan Ha Bay for your safe and enjoy wonderful trip:
STEP 1- PREPARE BEFORE KAYAKING – IMPORTANT STEP:
• Necessary things: Life vests, water, sun cream, dry bag, camera, insect repellent
• Carefully follow the instructions and conditions before kayaking wear the life vest and use the dry bag (put on it your phone, camera, etc…)
• Prepare suitable clothes: T-shirt and short, swimming suit in the summer; warm clothes in the winter; wet shoes, hat, sunglasses. Lan Ha Bay water is pretty warm during winter so feel free to kayaking anytime of the year. However, keep yourself warm after you are done with the activity to avoid catching a cold.
• Keep a suitable distance with the others, not too far, keep in sight with the others, and avoid getting loss
• Even if you are an experienced kayaker, don’t come too close to caves and karsts. They might suck you in. There are reports of people getting sucked into caves and it took from 30 minutes to hours to rescue them. (especially in Dark Cave or Ba Trai Dao Beaches)
• Never kayaking while being intoxicated. Drinking will dull your sense and might lead to unfortunate accident. There incidents of people drown because of swimming after consuming a large amount of alcohol.
• For the children should be follow the tour guide and their parents. Sit still in the kayak, do not move in front of or behind
• Children under 5 years old is suggest not using kayak
STEP 2 – WHEN YOU KAYAKING:
• It is very important to follow your tour guide, listen to the route, time and rules.
• Check with your tour guide the weather, tide and wind strength to have the best and safest route.
• Keep away from the places which have strong flow, against the wind; take advantage of the wind strength and flow.
STEP 3- HANDLE UNEXPECTED SITUATIONS:
• Adjust the speed of the whole group if any of the members is out of sight.
• In case the kayak capsizes, passengers need to swim a bit, and then take the water out of the kayak with the help of the tour guide. He will catch the kayak; take the water out by putting your kayak on his in the T- shape. After that, he will put the kayak back into the water; keep it still so that passengers can be on the kayak again.
• If there is an expected storm, find the safest place in the sheltered areas, beaches… to avoid the storm. In case passengers are in the middle of the sea and cannot find a safe place, passengers need to be gathered to make a raft kayaking is extremely an interesting activity in Lan Ha Bay. You also can enjoy kayaking for Halong 1 day tour however you only have about 15 to 20 minutes for kayaking at the small floating village (Ba Hang village). Normally with the tour 2 days 1 night, you also have change to kayak at Luon cave, kayak though this cave can bring you an impressive feeling. If you are like kayaking, 3 days 2 nights cruises is a best choice, you will have more time to explore Lan Ha Bay as well as have more than 3 hours for kayaking. In conclusion, kayaking is not difficult and we wish you enjoy it completely. Heritage Binh Chuan offers from 1 to 4 nigt cruise program including kayak experiences, discover more at www.heritagecruises.com
Discover, Explore, Experience Lan Ha Bay, One of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World.
Dark and bright cave
Overview
Dark and Bright Cave lie in the bordering area between Lan Ha Bay and Halong Bay, this area is located in the protected area of Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve. Coming to Dark and Bright Cave, tourists will be indulged in nature with the blue water and fresh air. The best way to admire the majestic foundation of the cave is to go kayaking or row bamboo boats. Inside Dark and Bright Cave, there are a lot of emulsions and stalactites with different shapes. This is also a safe place for cruises to anchor and provide shelter for fishermen in the rainy season. Adventuring along Dark and Bright Cave, visitors will be overwhelmed by the poetic, lyrical and pristine beauty that Mother Nature has endowed this destination.
About Dark and Bright Cave Halong Bay
Dark Cave and Bright Cave are underwater ones, so the formation of these caves is different from other dry caves. Thus, Dark Cave and Bright Cave possess outstanding and distinguishing beauty. In the process of geological activities in Halong Bay, there are three types of caves which were formed by the impact of water on the karst topography. They are the ancient underground cave, Carxto cave, and frog’s jaw cave. Dark Cave and Bright Cave are frog’s jaw caves, while the cave floor is under the sea, the cave ceiling is beyond the water. With the unique topography and tectonics, the caves are only accessible by boat.
Things to do in Dark and Bright Cave Halong Bay
Tourists coming to Dark and Bright Cave have plentiful interesting options. You can choose to participate in many water activities such as: go kayaking to explore the beauty of the magnificent scenery, sit and sunbathe on the beach or swim and snorkel to discover the marine life.
Dark and Bright Cave is an ideal destination for those who are keen on kayaking and exploring nature. Kayaking is the best way to explore Dark and Bright Cave. With the kayak, visitors can get closer to the foot of the mountain, discover the beauty of nature, clearly see the erosion of water and waves into the limestone cliffs. When rowing into the caves, you are sure to be overwhelmed by the miraculous stalactites on the ceiling and cave walls. This is also a rare chance for you to capture memorable beautiful photos of the majestic Halong Bay.
Go through Bright cave, tourists will come to a lovely valley surrounded by spectacular mountain ranges. This setting gives travellers a feeling of being lost in Heaven. It is such a wonderful experience to sit on the kayak and slowly watch the scenery, breath in the fresh air and feel the harmony among the sea, mountain and sky. You will certainly be happy and full of vitality to get away from your bustling and busy life. Dark and Bright Cave is an ideal place for you which combine the beauty of nature with many sports and activities for tourists to enjoy.
Three Peaches Islet
Overview
Ba Trai Dao Islet is cluster of three small limestone mountains, more than 20 meters height, looking like three peaches rising from the water. This is also one of the most famous and beautiful beaches in Halong Bay. Three Peaches Beach shapes like a bow with smooth long white sand and becomes popular among tourists for its unspoiled, charming splendor.
About Ba Trai Dao Islet (Also known as Three Peaches Islet)
A tearful love story about Ba Trai Dao Islet
Legend has it that: Once upon a time, there was a fairy goddess who came to visit Halong Bay, she came to this place and she fell in love with a local poor fisherman. Their love grew stronger that she wanted he lived an immortal life with her forever. In order to do so, she stole three peaches from heaven garden for him. Jade Emperor knew about that and got very angry with her. He turned three peaches into three stone islands to imprison the man and forced the fairy goddess to return to heaven… Nowadays, Ba Trai Dao Islet has become an interesting destination for those who like pristine nature and adventure.
Splendid natural beauty
Come to Ba Trai Dao Islet, you can immerse in the clear blue water, enjoy the beautiful white sand. In sunny days, the water is crystal to see the bottom and ideal to snorkel for watching aquatic life. The beach is surrounded by rocky mountains, so there are no big winds and waves, which is very safe for small children. The cliffs above the beach create exotic shapes offering many photo opportunities for visitors. Moreover, Ba Trai Dao Islet provides an abundance of places for plants to grow and animals to live, creating a very lively natural landscape.
Things to do in Ba Trai Dao Islet
Ba Trai Dao Islet is located in a more secluded part of Halong Bay, there are not too many tourists passing through, so it still retains many wild and rustic features. The most popular activity here is kayaking, almost tour itineraries include kayak for your journey. You can row through the cliff corners, among imposing mountains to explore clear hidden lagoons, varied indigenous flora species, and animals living on limestone islets.
Tourists also enjoy being immersed in the water, swimming and relaxing, sunbathing on the white sand. However, if the tide rise, the whole beach will be under the water. You can only swim and enjoy the beach for 2-3 hours a day, so you should check the tides schedule before going there. Anyway, this is a not-to-miss attraction when coming to Halong Bay. You should bring the camera to capture the beautiful scenery and splendid natural splendor of Ba Trai Dao Islets.
All year round, thousands of tourists come here to sightsee and admire the beauty that Mother Nature has given to this place. Nowadays, Ba Trai Dao Islets is one of the most amazing destinations of Halong Bay that all tourists want to discover and explore.
Cua Van Village
Overview
Cua Van Floating Fishing Village is located in Hung Thang commune (Halong city), about 20 km away from Halong Tourist Port. This area is surrounded by majestic limestone mountains, so the water is calm with no big waves, which is ideal for anchorage and people to cluster into a floating village. The village is about tens kilometers far away from the shore, lying alongside stone cliffs.
About Cua Van Floating Fishing Village
The serene beauty of Cua Van Floating Fishing Village
The prestigious travel magazine Journeyetc.com acknowledged Cua Van Floating Fishing Village as one of 16 most beautiful ancient villages in the world due to its ancient charm, beautiful scenery and well-preserved traditional culture. Cua Van Floating Fishing Village lies beneath majestic limestone mountains, floats on the ocean and blends perfectly with natural surroundings. The scenery is extremely romantic and leaves a distinct impression in the hearts of tourists. Cua Van Floating Fishing Village is one of only a few places that still retain the original unspoiled splendor. Local people routines have not disturbed by the bustling pace of modern life.
Floating life of local people
Cua Van Floating Fishing Village originates from two ancient villages named Giang Voong and Truc Vong. Residents of the village have been around for a very long time. Nowadays, there are more than 300 households with over 750 inhabitants live mainly by fishing and fish farming in Cua Van Floating Fishing Village. Generations of fishermen set up houses, live and pass down the traditional floating lifestyle to their children.
Cua Van Floating Fishing Village attracts tourist, not only because the beautiful natural scenery is outstanding, but also local residents are aware of keeping their living environment green and clean. At Cua Van, all floating houses are very tidy, people take turns to collect trash and garbage on the sea every day. They save fresh water, reduce the amount of waste in the marine environment. Journeyetc.com highly appreciates the preserving consciousness of the people. Cua Van is well worth a visit when traveling to Halong Bay.
Things to do in Cua Van Floating Fishing Village
Coming to Cua Van Floating Fishing Village, visitors not only have a chance to see the natural scenery, learn about the cultural life of the fishermen, but visitors can also sail around the village and take part in many interesting activities in local daily life.
Under the instructions of local villagers, visitors can spread the catching net, fish squids, and enjoy the seafood that they have caught. Especially on festive occasions or wedding ceremonies, visitors can have an unforgettable experience to enjoy endemic folk songs of local fishermen such as traditional love songs, ferry songs (imitating rowing rhythms).
Moreover, your journey will be filled with exciting adventurous activities. It is an interesting option for tourist to explore Tien Ong Cave nearby. Ba Ham Lake is also an attractive destination for activities such as caving, kayaking, and swimming. Almost visitor will have a good time to row bamboo boats to discover around the village, chat with locals, fish squids and enjoy the marine beautiful tranquil scenery. Cua Van Fishing Village becomes one of the most charming destinations that you want to visit in your lifetime trip to Halong Bay.
Viet Hai Village
Overview
Viet Hai Village is a small village, located in the core of Cat Ba National Park in Cat Hai Island district, Hai Phong. Due to its remote location, there are not many indigenous peoples living there. However, Viet Hai Village has recently become an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists, especially for trekkers and bikers.
How to get to Viet Hai Village Cat Ba
Travellers first have to arrive at Beo Port in Cat Ba Island, from there, you take the ferry or boat to Viet Hai Port. Viet Hai Village is about 5 km from the port, you can walk, rent bicycles, take trams to get to the village. Trams can carry up to 12 passengers per trip and the monolithic road to the village has been concretised for easier transportation.
Local life in harmony with nature
Viet Hai Village has over 70 roofs. Most of which are traditionally made from bamboos, clay, and straw. To build an old-style house, they first mix mud and straw into a dense mixture, then cover the mixture over bamboo sticks, leave the mixture to condense to make hard walls. The roof is covered with thick layers of grass. This mud-walled cottage is a typical image of Vietnamese Northern countryside, that only a few ancient villages still retain this unique type of house.
The tranquil and peaceful life in Viet Hai contrasts with the bustling noisy of other tourist attractions. It is good to have some quiet moments, just to relax and get away in a remote area lying in the middle of deep valleys, geographically divided by the ocean that only a few people have ever set foot on.
Community-based tourism in Viet Hai Village
Viet Hai Village has been developing as a community-based ecotourism destination that attracts many travellers. Especially foreign tourists who want to experience and explore rustic village life and wide nature. Community-based tourism is a focus to support the livelihoods of local people, helps them to earn more income, integrates them into the outside world. Despite the lack of conditions, Viet Hai also has many advantages in terms of natural landscape and distinctive cultural characteristics to attract tourists.
Activities in Viet Hai Village for Travellers
Viet Hai villagers are very sensitive when providing services. They send people to tourist centers such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City to learn about community-based tourism and how to apply to their condition. Besides their work on the field, they also work as local tour guides, hosts, and drivers for tourists. Local people supply and directly serve every need of visitors. Some families operate homestay services and set up small eateries providing local specialties. In Viet Hai Village, travellers can admire the simple rustic beauty when walking through the green rice fields, cycling along winding countryside roads, breathing fresh air and feeling the serenity in every corner of this peaceful village. It is such a memorable experience to enjoy the scenery of mountains, forests, and ocean, all in one place.
Years recently, Viet Hai Village has welcomed thousands of visitors to visit and experience the life and activities of villagers. With the extensive participation of locals in organising activities and supplying services, tourism in Viet Hai becomes a unique, attractive and sustainable tourism product.
Lan Ha Bay
Overview
Lan Ha Bay is located in the southeast of Cat Ba Town, adjacent to Halong Bay. This is a peaceful gulf-shaped bay with about 400 islets and islands in various sizes creating a magnificent picture depicting the fairylike seascape. All the big and small islands in Lan Ha Bay are covered with green trees and rich organism, which triggers the curious mind of worldwide travelers.
About Lan Ha Bay
Lan Ha Bay possesses a high density of limestone mountains which are primitive, peaceful and precious in biological value. There are a lot of pristine mountains with many shapes depending on visitors’ imagination such as Wooden Shoe Islet, Bat Islet… Lan Ha Bay is also the cradle of gulfs and caves, which have not been discovered yet. Besides, travelers are stunned by stalactite grottoes with distinguishing features such as Ham Rong Cave, Do Cung Cave, Ca Cave…
Compared to Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay is more charmingly romantic with 139 golden-sand beaches, lovely and desolate beaches inviting visitors to explore. Many sandy beaches stretch between rocky mountains offering quietness with no big waves, which are really the ideal places for swimmers. And under the turquoise water in Van Boi Beach, Van Ha Beach, Sen Island, Monkey Island, travelers can also get snorkel and dive to appreciate the colorful coral reefs and many aquatic creatures.
Da Chong Islet
Ho Ba Ham Islet
Overview
Ho Ba Ham Islet lies on Dau Be Island in the southernmost part of Halong Bay, 25 km away from the tourist port. Ho Ba Ham Islet is in the middle of a narrow rectangular sea, surrounded by high upright limestone mountains. Under the foot of the mountains, there are three water caves. To go from one cave to another, visitors have to sail through tunnels with low domes. From the ceilings, many stalactites hang down creating beautiful natural scenery.
About Ho Ba Ham Islet
Natural characteristics of Ho Ba Ham Islet
Ho Ba Ham Islet consists of three large lakes interconnected by a narrow winding tunnel. This tunnel is actually the upper part of a water cave, a typical form of limestone karst that was eroded by water, waves, and tides. Each cluster of colorful stalactites drops from the tunnel ceiling with strange shapes. On the islet, lots of evergreen plants like orchids, banyan trees, palms are growing to create a favorable living environment for endemic animal species of Halong Bay such as golden monkeys, flying squirrels, bats, rare birds. Under the blue water of three lakes, there is the vibrant life of many marine species.
From the entrance, visitors will go through a tunnel into the first lake. Inside the tunnel, stalactites in multi colors look like a bunch of fibrous roots. Going about 100 meters further, there is a light beam from the ceiling of the tunnel, where you will see many kinds of orchids clinging to the cliffs, clusters of evergreen trees in rocky mountains. Then, the second lake opens and has an ancient star fruit tree growing on the southeast cliff that gives fruit all year round. Passing through a cavern for about 5 minutes from there, you will reach the third lake. This is a peaceful home to many kinds of rare birds and butterflies.
The ecological diversity of Ho Ba Ham Islet
Ho Ba Ham Islet still retain the wild and mysterious nature without the impact of human. With ideal ecological conditions, Ba Ham Lake is a habitat of typical ecosystem. There are many endemic plant species of tropical forests growing on the cliffs such as azaleas, ferns, and palm trees. Squirrels, monkeys, birds also choose this place as their home and often go out to eat, so visitors can watch the animals like in a natural zoo. The water of three lakes is crystal clear to see the fish swimming around and special aquatic systems at the bottom.
Things to do in Ho Ba Ham Islet
With many great advantages, Ho Ba Ham Islet is gradually becoming one of the most attractive destinations in Halong Bay. To explore the beauty of Ho Ba Ham Islet, visitors can row bamboo boats or kayaks to go further into the lakes. It is also an ideal place for swimmers and snorkelers. Most of cruising itineraries are considered Ho Ba Ham Islet as a highlight of the trip. You should choose the overnight cruise to have a good amount of time to visit this interesting destination. It is advisable to rent a kayak to truly enjoy a moment of your own and admire the charming beauty of Ho Ba Ham Islet.
Cat ba Island
Overview
Cat Ba Island is located only 30km from Hai Phong city center and 25km from Ha Long City. From Hai Phong, it is very convenient for tourists to take a ferry or speedboat to visit Cat Ba. Or you can enjoy cruising from harbors in Quang Ninh to have an exciting journey through the Natural Wonder Halong Bay to reach Cat Ba Island.
About Cat Ba Island
Best time to travel to Cat Ba Island
Cat Ba Island has a favorable weather condition, so visitors can travel Cat Ba all year round. In any season at any time, Cat Ba has its unique charm. While domestic tourists often go there in the summer, international tourists mainly visit Cat Ba Island from November to March.
High season in Cat Ba is the summer time from May to August, therefore, if you can arrange, you should go before or after the high season, or you should go in the weekdays to avoid the crowds.
Cat Ba’s natural charm
You will feel like to enter a new world when setting foot on Cat Ba Island. It is very comfortable and refreshing to travel on the road through the dense green forest to reach the island heart. The mountain passes are quite challenging for the adventurous tourists. Admiring the spectacular sceneries on the road, you will understand why biking tour across the island is the first choice of foreign guests.
How to get to Cat Ba Island from Hanoi
- BUS from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island
The fastest and cheap way how to get from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island by bus. Bus is going over the longest sea-crossing bridge in Southeast Asia – Tan Vu – Lach Huyen (opened in September 2017) and is going directly to the Cat Ba town on the island over the Cat Hai Island. A short boat transfer of bus (10 minutes) from the Got Port (Bến phà Gót) to the Cái Viềng port.
Bus is going over the longest sea-crossing bridge in Southeast Asia – Tan Vu – Lach Huyen (opened in September 2017)
- TRAIN + SPEEDBOAT from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island
First let’s cover the details for taking a train and then a speedboat from Hanoi to Cat Ba via Hai Phong. Hanoi Railway Station is pretty central and only around a 20 minute walk from the centre of the old quarter.
From here you will take a train into Ga Hải Phòng Railway Station. This part of this route option from Hanoi to Cat Ba will take around 2 hours 45 minutes.
- Speedboat from Hai Phong (Pha Binh port) to Cat Ba Island
- BUS + SPEEDBOAT from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island
Bus from Hanoi to Hai Phong
This last option for getting from Hanoi to Cat Ba involves first taking a bus from Hanoi to Hai Phong and the speedboat option from Hai Phong to Cat Ba as detailed above in option 2.
- FLIGHT from Hanoi to Tuan Chau Island (Seaplane)
Swimming in Cat Ba Beaches
Things to do in Cat Ba Island
In Cat Ba, there are 3 most popular tourist beaches: Cat Co 1, 2 and 3, with clear water and near the town center. In particular, Cat Co 1 beach is larger and more favorable, with three sides surrounded by rocky mountains. Cat Co 2 and 3 are smaller but quite peaceful. The beaches are connected by a small path along the mountain.
Hiking
If you want to have a panoramic view of Cat Ba, you should hike the crest of 177m high Gun Fortress. It is not only a historical relic, which marked the brilliant achievements of the local people; this place also has an ideal location with 3 sides facing the ocean. What a spectacular location to just sit there while sipping coffee and watching the romantic sunset.
Kayaking
The best water sport to try in Cat Ba is to go kayaking. You are sure to be overwhelmed by the majestic landscape and seascape here.
Cat Ba National Park
Cat Ba National Park is one of the unique biosphere reserves recognized by UNESCO. This is a real paradise for those who love to explore nature and challenge themselves. The typical route is only about 1.8 km, while the longest crossing mountain to Viet Hai fishing village is about 16 km. You can see countless species of endemic species, luckily you can see the Cat Ba langur – the symbol of the island.
Halong Bay
Halong Bay is one of seven wonder in the world, with area is 1553 km2. Halong Bay consists of 1969 island and islet, most of which are limestones. specific feature of Ha Long Bay is the abundance of lakes inside the limestone islands. It was declared twice time by UNESCO in 1994 and 2011. The limestone in this bay has gone through 500 million years of formation in different conditions and environments. The evolution of the karst in this bay has taken 20 million years under the impact of the tropical wet climate. Ha Long Bay is home to 14 endemic floral species and 60 endemic faunal species.
Go back in the time with Heritage Cruises Binh Chuan Cat Ba Archipelago
The greatest Vietnamese ship called Binh Chuan designed entirely and totally by Vietnam people was first built and sailed from Hai Phong to Sai Gon. The ship made a voyage of national pride, culture and ambition of Vietnamese who dreamt of revitalizing the national commerce and economy. It was a voyage of aspiration to contribute to build a stronger nation of Vietnam.
Today, the Heritage Cruises represents that historical vessel while guiding travelers around the pristine and magnificent Lan Ha Bay and re-creating the Binh Chuan story. Board our Heritage Cruises, and be prepared to relive that glorious historical moment!
rom a childhood dream…
As a teenager, Pham Ha, the co-founder of Heritage Cruises, cruised from Haiphong City to Ho Chi Minh City
just a few years after the unification of South and North Vietnam.Even then he had plans to build his own cruise ships, to have his own fleet, so he could share his passion for his country.
He fell in love at first sight with Halong Bay in 1995 and came to know every single island, sometimes spending a week camping on the isolated beaches and exploring remote islands by kayak.
In 1997, he took a film crew there for 2 months to make the ‘Vertical Ray of the Sun’ – a film by the famous director, Tran Anh Hung, which was filmed in Cua Van Floating Village, near Three Peach Beaches, on the frontier between Halong Bay and Cat Ba Archipelago.
His personal mission is to deliver happiness. He is passionate about quality cruising, heritage, culture and history.
Pham Ha is recognized internationally in the tourism business and knows the market well. As a result, he initially built a fleet of cruise ships in Nha Trang Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay.
The building of a new fleet in the Cat Ba Archipelago, the Red River and in the future for longer trips from north to south Vietnam is a continuation of his childhood dream.
o the first Vietnamese boutique cruise in the Gulf of Tonkin
Heritage Cruises derives inspiration for its boutique concept and design from the heritage ships of the inspirational patriotic entrepreneur Bach Thai Buoi, who transformed transportation on the waterways in Tonkin in North Vietnam in the early 20th century.
Inspiration from the King of Vietnamese Cruise: Bach Thai Buoi
The Vietnamese used to say the phrase: “First Si, Second Phuong, Third Xuong and Fourth Buoi” to refer to the top 4 wealthy and successful Vietnamese men. “Fourth Buoi” is no one but the businessman and entrepreneur Bach Thai Buoi.
At the age of 20, Bach Thai Buoi found his interest in doing business. In 1908 – 1909, he decided to take his first steps into the waterway transport industry which was exclusively and mostly owned by the Chinese at that moment.
Regardless of the high competitiveness against French and Chinese waterway companies, he established Bach Thai Buoi Maritime Company. With a tonnage of 600 tons and a 400 horsepower engine designed and built by Vietnamese, Binh Chuan ship was the peak of Bach Thai Buoi’s waterway transport career.
That Vietnamese-made ship set sail from Haiphong City to Sai Gon in 1920, receiving warm welcomes from Cochinchinese businessmen who even made a bronze board that read: “To Binh Chuan ship – the first Vietnamese ship in Saigon Port.
At that moment, the Binh Chuan ship carried more than just hundred tons of goods – it also took with it the national pride of each and every Vietnamese on the way. That voyage from Haiphong to Saigon was a loud and clear statement of the nation’s strong and rapid development.
A symbol of Vietnamese national spirit and patriotism
Bach Thai Buoi gave up a peaceful life to embark on a business career not only because of wealth. It was his desire to affirm the position of Vietnamese in the market, proving that we are not inferior to any other nation.
Bach Thai Buoi was a role model of expressing national pride in his work. He hired mostly Vietnamese workers. He named his ships after Vietnamese nobles or historical milestones such as Dinh Tien Hoang, Bach Dang… Maybe this explained why he was so successful at that time – thanks to his sincere and moving patriotism.
For any Vietnamese, the national spirit and patriotism are always highly-regarded. As we suffered too much in the past, it is our instinct to love, respect and protect the country.
Heritage Cruises understand this – and we create a unique experience for all the tourists by representing not only the Binh Chuan cruise itself but also the spirit of it.
eritage Cruises: A voyage of culture and history
What makes Heritage Cruises stands out from the rest of vessels in Vietnam in general and in Lan Ha Bay in particular is the cultural and historical story embedded within each and every small detail of the ship.
100 years after Binh Chuan Cruise first built and set sail, travellers can now witness and experience the glory of that North – South ship while boarding the Heritage Cruises. The cruise has an antique beauty of the past while bringing luxury and modern services for travellers.
All is embedded in the atmosphere of Vietnamese culture, art and culinary on the made-in-Vietnam Heritage Cruise.
The sophisticated and antique style of Indochina
Inspired by the ship of Bach Thai Buoi, Heritage Cruises was the first cruise ever in Vietnam with an architectural style of Indochina in the 1930s. With its distinctive style, the cruise revives the past and honors Vietnam’s historical, cultural, artistic and culinary heritages in the 20th century.
Heritage Cruise is 75m long and 13m10 wide. It consists of 4 separate floors but only 20 spacious suites for 40 guests. There are 2 restaurants, 3 bars, 2 spa rooms, a four-season rooftop swimming pool, a bookstore and a mini gym – all up to standard of a 5-star resort and hotel.
Besides the luxurious amenities, Heritage Cruises also offers a pure Vietnamese cultural space and the atmosphere of culture, history, art and cuisine in the 20th century through a Bach Thai Buoi library and artful lobby lounge with nearly 100 paintings by “The Vietnamese Picasso” Pham Luc.
Even the names of the cruise, common spaces and rooms are customized to showcase the history and culture of Vietnam in the 1930s. Even the Heritage Cruises Binh Chuan was named after the Binh Chuan ship built in the 20th century, expressing the founder’s dream of writing the Bach Thai Buoi’s dream.
On the cruise, the art exhibition was named L’Art de l’Annam – a book of the same name, published in 1933 by Henri Gourdon, who was the director of the first Indochinese University – Université Indochinoise, who offered a view of the art of Annam from the perspective of a westerner.
Similarly, names were carefully chosen for the restaurants, bars, lounges and spa to maintain the overall spirit of the national pride and cultural stories: Bach Dang Wine Cellar, Le Tonkin, L’Indochine, Song Hong Lounge, and White Lotus Spa.
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Leonardo da Vinci’s quote captures Heritage Cruises’ vision and philosophy perfectly: the key principle behind every project is a devotion to simplicity, heritage, boutique and product authenticity.
An exploration of the pristine Lan Ha Bay
Cruising is all about destinations, experiences and memories.
Situated in the south of Ha Long Bay and the east of Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay has an area of over 7,000 hectares with stunning beauty of around 400 large and small islands with many interesting shapes. Different from Halong Bay, all islands in Lan Ha Bay are covered with greenery – even the smallest islets.
Lan Ha Bay is the home of lots of mountains with different names depending on the imagination of tourists such as Hon Quoc Islet (Wooden Shoe islet) and Dao Khi – Monkey Island. Lan Ha Bay possesses about 139 beautiful sandy beaches and spreads over 7,000 ha including that the area of 5,400 ha is under-managed by The Biosphere Reserve recognized by UNESCO – Cat Ba National Park.
In 2020, Lan Ha Bay officially becomes a member of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays Club.
While Halong Bay is often touristy and crowded, Lan Ha Bay has its own beauty of tranquility and pristinity. Besides, Cat Ba Archipelago is an exotic destination with pristine beaches, secluded lagoons, coves, tropical forest and lakes. Thanks to its isolation to the mainland, this charming destination preserves its unspoiled natural scenery to its best. The density of limestone islets in Lan Ha Bay is quite thick, creating smaller bays.
Although not too popular among tourists, Lan Ha Bay is considered as one of the most beautiful bays in Vietnam. Fall is the most beautiful time of the year in lan Ha Bay with light sunshine, cool weather and gentle breezes from the ocean.
All 139 beaches lying scattered throughout Lan Ha Bay allow tourists to contemplate from the cruises. The trio of Cat Co 1,2 and 3 Beach, Van Boi Beach, Ba Trai Dao Beach (Three Peaches Beach) and Tung Thu Beach are known as one of the most appealing beaches in Lan Ha Bay.
Ba Trai Dao Beach has attracted tourists by not only its charming beauty but an interesting myth to explain the appearance of the three rocks that give the islet its name as well. Tung Thu is another attractive one offering on the south coast of Cat Ba Island, while Van Boi offers the chance to engage in scuba-diving to watch the colorful coral reefs underwater.
Light and Dark Caves which are the two opposing ones, as their names, show the difference in the amount of light entering from outside. The Dark Cave is longer, so it’s necessary to require torches for discovering. Meanwhile, the Light Cave has a short corridor opening up into an amazing lake covered by stretching limestone cliffs.
Hospital Cave is the most interesting cave in terms of historical value since its large grottos made it an ideal place for taking care of and hiding the injured Viet Cong soldiers during the war against the American. Moreover, it’s hard to find the Hospital Cave from the ground and the air, making it perfect to rest up the troops and form attacking plans.
Viet Hai Fishing Village , which is an ecological attraction, appeals to tourists by tranquil and peaceful landscapes as well as hidden charm villages of local people and their lifestyles.
Even the voyage around Lan Ha Bay is filled with cultural stories which go well with the spirit of the Heritage Cruise.
et’s begin the voyage!
Almost a century after Bach Thai Buoi first built the Binh Chuan vessel, Heritage Cruise has now inherited the historical and cultural
stories in its design, spirit and voyage. This opens your chance to embark on a voyage through time on a Heritage Cruises ship – a vessel inspired by heritage designs and with impeccable service fit for the bourgeoisie from the 1930s.
Heritage Cruises is pure, artful and elegant in offering special perspectives on the Red River and the Gulf of Tonkin. The welcome is personal, the accommodation is sumptuous, and the views are simply gorgeous.
And yet it is the total experience − the unique impression derived from the cruise’s combination of quality, quintessence and ambiance in a spectacular location − that makes the cruising experience on Heritage Cruises unforgettable.
Heritage Cruise is not only a cabin or a suite. It is the overall experience, stories and dreams that we want to share.
Experiences with Lux Cruises
(Vietnam Today) – Nowaday, luxury yatchs have become a new tourist trend in Vietnam. Lux Cruises luxury cruise line provides customers with top-quality services and constant improvement in experiences for travelers, especially international travelers.
Emperor Cruises and Heritage Cruises are 5-star yachts and aim to provide the best experience for customers. However, the two brands also have a lot of differences in design ideas, product lines, and target customers.
The Heritage Binh Chuan Cruise, inspired by Vietnam’s King of Cruise Ships, Bach Thai Buoi (1874 – 1922), is the first yacht designed in a boutique concept style, suitable for many groups of guests, from young people, families, and elderly customers who like to participate in activities on board. Operating in Lan Ha bay, Heritage Binh Chuan Cruise is one of the first cruises to have the largest swimming pool in the North Bay with an exhibition space for paintings by the famous painter, Pham Luc, and plenty of space for visitors to visit and experience. With 20 spacious suites all provided with private balconies, panoramic windows overlooking the bay and bathrooms all with standing and lying bathtubs, visitors will truly feel comfortable and relaxed.
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Meanwhile, The Emperor Cruises Legacy Halong was inspired by the Bao Dai emperor (1913 – 1997) and was completely designed in the royal style of the 1930s. It is the first cruise to operate in Ha Long bay and Bai Tu Long bay, offering package service, including free drinks, unlimited massage service, and 24/24 butler service. Although Emperor Cruises Legacy Halong has only 10 cabins, all rooms are suites with huge areas, amenities with private balconies or panoramic windows, and a Jacuzzi or bathtub. Customers can experience total relaxation sitting by the Sunset Bar and sunbathing on the deck while enjoying cocktails, listening to ocean rhythms and watching the sunset. Emperor Cruises also offers comprehensive wellness products to help travelers have the most fulfilling experiences on their journey.
If you choose to stay at the Nha Trang Emperor Cruises, you can immerse yourself in Trinh music nights while moon-watching in the bay and enjoying high-quality cuisine. You can also choose to rest on the beach in Nha Trang bay or participate in scuba diving tours at Mun island, have afternoon tea and explore the art of enjoying Vietnamese tea.
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Lux Cruises also makes an effort to improve each guest meal experience by interacting with wine consultants and hosting a cocktail party to welcome the sunset on the pool bar and swimming pool. Award-winning chefs will create new seasonal dishes and enhance the food experience with new styles, especially the breezy dinner in the middle of the bay with music that will surely give every customer unforgettable memories.
Coming aboard on Lux Cruise yachts, customers can participate in scuba diving, sail to get to the beach area, and learn about the stories of Vietnam’s first luxury cruise brand.
Tuan Son
Travel Sustainable badge for Heritage Cruises Binh Chuan Cat Ba Archipelago, Booking.com lists seven sustainable properties in Vietnam worth visiting for your next trip
With the gradual return of traveling comes a shift in behavior among travelers from around the world. According to Booking.com’s 2022 Sustainable Travel Report*, an encouraging 87% of Vietnamese travelers say they have stayed in a sustainable accommodation over the past year, and they are encouraged to do so again soon.
Nearly half (42%) of Vietnamese travelers mentioned that they prefer to stay in a sustainable accommodation as it helps reduce their impact on the environment, and more than a third (34%) believe sustainable properties treat the community better.
Encouraging travelers to practice sustainability as they go back to travel, Booking.com lists some of the top properties awarded with a Travel Sustainable Badge, recognizing the sustainable practices of these accommodations. Explore these unique accommodations and experience the beauty of staying in a property that practices sustainability which benefits the local communities, and the environment!
Topas Ecolodge – Sapa
Topas Ecolodge is a boutique resort situated atop a beautiful hillside deep in the mountains of Hoang Lien National Park, Sapa, Northern Vietnam. Nominated as one of the best places to stay if you care about the Earth by National Geographic, Topas Ecolodge provides the perfect setting to indulge in guilt-free modern convenience all while protecting the surrounding environment and local cultures.
The sustainable property offers 41 rustic mountain bungalows designed out of local white granite in a minimalistic chalet-style, providing all comforts while giving way for the magnificent and raw natural beauty of Vietnam to take the center stage.
From its first day of operations, Topas Ecolodge has been working with DANIDA (Denmark’s development cooperation, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to become a showcase of sustainable tourism in remote areas. Apart from built-in facilities and their different sustainable practices, Topas Ecolodge also supports the community by spreading awareness and educational support to their staff as well as local residents.
Heritage Cruises Cat Ba Archipelago
With over two decades of expertise in the cruise and luxury tourism industry, Heritage Cruises Cat Ba Archipelago is the first heritage and boutique cruise company to operate sustainably in both Ha Long Bay and Nha Trang of Vietnam. Each cruise ship is a one-of-a-kind vessel which brings on the inspirational art, tradition and culture of the local region.
The vessel is built using sustainable material and designed in a way that would maximize natural light and airflow to reduce the need for air conditioning. Apart from that, there is no plastic used on the cruise and the cruise’s staff frequently clean up the trekking trails, island and beach areas to ensure the pristine beaches and coves in their operating areas.
Banyan Tree Lang Co – Hue
Located in Central Vietnam, Banyan Tree Lăng Cô is a multi-awarded property that offers an escape to a paradise of luxurious all-pool villas nestled between the azure waters of the East Sea and the Truong Son mountain range.
The resort provides tourists with a luxurious hideaway, while being close to destinations that promise cultural and historical exploration such as the three UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Hoi An Ancient Town, the Imperial Citadel of Hue and My Son Sanctuary.
Sustainability and social responsibility have always been at the heart of the Banyan Tree brand. Apart from vernacular architectural styles and locally-sourced materials, the property employs an efficient energy and waste management system and maintains a supply chain of partners who share matching values.
Four Seasons Resort the Nam Hai – Hoi An
With an idyllic location on Vietnam’s culturally rich central coast, the Nam Hai offers a portal to three extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage sites and a breezy respite on the country’s most celebrated beach. You’ll have a chance to reconnect with your loved ones through various activities – whether you take to the East Sea by kayak, explore the glory of imperial Hue or simply savor quiet moments in your own tranquil villa.
Since it was founded in 1960, the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts embraces the Golden Rule – a simple idea that the company should treat others the way it would want to be treated. Today, this vision is deeply embedded in the company’s culture and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) programs that proactively seek to preserve and regenerate the beautiful places in which the company operates.
Deeming sustainability as a serious commitment and business strategy, the Four Seasons Resorts has been a member of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (SHA) since 2012, the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) Sustainability Committee – the largest hotel association in the US, and the Corporate Eco Forum (CEF), an invitation-only membership group for large companies.
Six Senses Con Dao – Con Dao Island
Six Senses is among the first luxurious and sustainable villas and resorts in Vietnam and has since then played an active and daily role in improving the ecological impact and carbon footprint of the resort and spa.
Offering an exclusive island hideaway resort amidst a pristine marine and national park, Six Senses Con Dao consists of 50 sea-view villas built from wood and eco-friendly materials with large windows for catching natural light, equipped with solar energy system to save electricity.
To protect the green turtle on the island, Six Senses Con Dao has been launching an ambitious project in cooperation with Con Dao National Park authority to help optimize egg laying for green turtles and decrease the mortality rate of turtle hatching. The project includes a safe incubation to protect the turtle’s eggs from threats. If you are lucky enough, you can get to watch mama turtles laying eggs right on the resort premises.
The sustainable efforts of Six Senses Con Dao were recognized by the National Geographic Traveler as one of the world’s top eco-friendly resorts. In September 2022, the resort was voted the No.1 resort hotel in Southeast Asia by Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards.
Komorebi An Son – Da Lat
Da Lat is known as the land of dreamy and romantic souls because of its atmosphere and green natural scenery. The city also attracts visitors for its beautifully decorated cafes and homestays hidden in the hills throughout the city, where there’s a place for anyone to watch nature and slowly enjoy the beauty of life, a luxury that is hard to find in metropolitan areas.
Sustainable tourism, therefore, is a way to preserve and keep the inherent beauty of Da Lat intact for ourselves and future trips. Komorebi An Son, a sustainable property recognized by Booking.com, offers a diverse selection of rooms for the dreamers. Equipped with a shared kitchen that is full of appliances for cooking enthusiasts, one can enjoy relaxing in the garden of this hill villa, or visit nearby attractions such as Truc Lam Pagoda, Yersin Park, Palace 3.
Sala Grand TuyHoa – Phu Yen
Phu Yen is a central coastal province in the South Central Coast region, where the untouched beach and poetic natural scenery can immediately steal one’s mind away.
Located in Tuy Hoa, a few steps from Tuy Hoa Beach, Sala Grand TuyHoa Hotel – a Sustainable Property recognized by Booking.com – provides accommodation with a restaurant, free bikes and an outdoor swimming pool. The hotel is equipped with water-efficient toilets and showers, provides the option to opt out daily room cleaning or towels changing, and prioritize locally sourced food supply.
One spectacular attraction among many that Phu Yen offers is Ghenh Da Dia. The attraction has a unique and one-of-a-kind structure. From a distant look, one can see the basalt rock folds up like a giant honeycomb, creating a mysterious and strange beauty that is like nowhere else on earth.
Planning for one’s sustainable trip has been made easier with Booking.com’s Travel Sustainable badge – a credible, globally relevant sustainability measure that will provide highly coveted information to travellers all over the world looking to make more sustainable travel choices. The Travel Sustainable badge and an overview of individual property sustainability efforts are visible to travellers on property pages across the Booking.com app and website globally.
From Vietnaminsider
HANOI: The former capital of French Indochina and now the heart of the nation
In autumn of 1010, Emperor Ly Thai To decided to move the capital of the kingdom to Dai La (Hanoi today) from Hoa Lu (present Ninh Binh). He was mindful that the place was an ideal location with many advantages for wet rice farming and traffic thanks to a number of waterways, especially the Red River, the backyard of Ba Vi mountain, promising the long-term prosperous development of a capital and a nation. After moving the capital and renaming it Thang Long, Ly Cong Uan ordered the construction of a citadel to protect the city. Since then, Thang Long has become the political, economic, and cultural center of the country.
When the Nguyen dynasty was established in 1802, Emperor Gia Long moved the capital to Hue. Thang Long was no longer the capital, its Chinese characters was changed from 昇龍 (“Rising dragon”) to 昇隆 (“Ascent and prosperity”), aiming to reduce the sentiment of Le Dynasty. Emperors of Vietnam usually used dragon (龍 long) as a symbol of their imperial strength, and power. In 1831, the Nguyen emperor Minh Mang renamed it Hanoi (河內, “Between Rivers” or “River Interior”). Hanoi was occupied by the French in 1873 and passed to them ten years later. As Hanoi, it was located in the protectorate of Tonkin and became the capital of French Indochina after 1887.
The city was occupied by the Imperial Japanese in 1940 and liberated in 1945, when it briefly became the seat of the Viet Minh government after Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the independence of Vietnam. However, the French returned and reoccupied the city in 1946. After nine years of fighting between the French and Viet Minh forces, Hanoi became the capital of an independent North Vietnam in 1954. The French Army withdrew that year and the People’s Army of Vietnam and International Control Commission occupied the city under the terms of the 1954 Geneva Conference. Following the end of the Vietnam and US war, Hanoi became the capital of a reunified Vietnam when North and South Vietnam were reunited on 2 July 1976.
Today, Hanoi is still a city of rivers, of which the Red River is the largest. For Hanoians, the Red River is not only a source of life, it is also a reflection of Vietnamese history and the capital city’s long prosperity. Heritage buildings such as churches, grand cathedrals, opera houses, clocks, colonial buildings, villas, museums, palaces, river ports, and iron bridges remain unchanged though some have disappeared. Many boulevards with French names have changed to Vietnamese names. Regrettably, the heritage street Bach Thai Buoi was changed to Nguyen Huu Huan alley in 1954 on the bank of Red River, but his former two-story office houses in Hang Muoi Street remain intact facing the clock with his former inland waterway port near Chuong Duong Bridge.
High-rise buildings are rare in this city which is striving to retain its character. Grand colonial buildings, tranquil lakes, and a maze of narrow streets provide intriguing contrasts. Hanoi is an elegant city with tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake (Grand Lac on postcards) at its heart. North of the lake are the bustling 36 guild streets of the Old Quarter, each street named after the trade that used to take place there. Hanoi is truly a city of contrasts with areas of wide boulevards and large colonial buildings, reflecting its period as a French Protectorate, and other areas truly Vietnamese with a muddle of narrow streets which bustle from dawn to dusk.
Similarly to the guilded age of Europe, “Hanoi’s 36 districts” is Vietnam’s version of the guild concept. In the past, as artisans moved to the capital city to do business, they gathered together in this area to share the resources and built communal houses and their temples. As a result, many of the streets were named after the crafts sold at that individual street. Pho Hang Muoi (Rue du Sel or Salt Street), Pho Hang Bun (Vermicelli), Pho Hang Ma (Paper Product), Pho Hang Bac (Silver), Pho Hang Non (palm-leaf conical hat), … are examples of the streets carrying the name of the products sold there. Explore my rich collection of postcards about Hanoi’s old guild streets and iconic buildings of the capital of Indochina and now the heart of Vietnam.
