Developing cruise tourism associated with heritage conservation
Five-star cruises on Lan Ha Bay are helping improve the quality of high-end services and reinforce the Cat Ba Archipelago's position as an international marine tourism destination.
High-quality tourism experiences
At around 3:30 pm on a late-autumn afternoon, a five-star cruise ship gently leaves Ben Beo Wharf, taking visitors across the waves to explore Lan Ha Bay. From the deck, a vast expanse of sea and sky unfolds, with hundreds of limestone islands rising above emerald-green waters.
Relaxing over afternoon tea and watching the sunset descend behind majestic limestone mountains, Mac Thu Huyen, a visitor from Ha Noi, said that Lan Ha Bay boasts unspoiled and tranquil beauty. Paddling a kayak through limestone caves, discovering daily life in the ancient Cai Beo fishing village and enjoying dinner amid the vast seascape offer a distinctive holiday experience.
Pham The Anh, Director of Cat Ba Panorama Tourism Co., Ltd. in Cat Hai Special Zone, said demand for private, high-quality leisure travel experiences among domestic and international visitors was rising sharply. To meet increasingly sophisticated preferences, the company has invested in new-generation cruise ships such as Cozy Boutique and D’Charme Premium. The newly built vessels feature double-bottom steel hulls and are equipped with outdoor swimming pools, water slides and five-star restaurants. The introduction of luxury cruises is helping improve service quality, extend visitors' stays and increase their spending.
According to the Hai Phong Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, by September 2026, Cat Ba had welcomed more than 3.6 million visitors, up 22% year on year. International arrivals reached nearly 850,000, highlighting the appeal of this heritage destination on the global tourism map.
Meanwhile, according to the People's Committee of Cat Hai Special Zone, the bays around the Cat Ba Archipelago are served by 166 tourist boats, including 87 sightseeing vessels and 79 overnight cruise ships offering more than 1,600 cabins. This represents the largest fleet ever assembled in the area.
Covering more than 7,000 hectares, Lan Ha Bay directly borders Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The development of luxury cruises is helping Cat Ba move beyond the traditional tourism model, which has largely revolved around swimming and seafood dining.
Visitors can choose from day trips featuring sunset views or overnight stays aboard cruise ships such as Heritage Binh Chuan, Stellar of the Seas, Mon Cheri and Orchid. Notably, since April 2026, the Ha Long–Lan Ha inter-bay cruise route has officially been in operation, marking a breakthrough in waterway transport and offering visitors a cross-regional heritage experience.
Linking cruise tourism development with heritage conservation
Mai Xuan Thang, Chairman of the Hai Phong Tourism Association, emphasized that cruise tourism products are helping increase local revenue and generate momentum for the local economy. In the coming time, the association will work with State management agencies to support businesses in restructuring their products and strengthening links among travel companies, cruise operators and cultural destinations to develop a comprehensive service chain that meets international standards.
Cruise tourism development must go hand in hand with marine environmental protection and the preservation of the core values of the Cat Ba Archipelago, a UNESCO-recognized World Natural Heritage Site. Cruise ships operating in the bays must comply with environmental regulations, install waste sorting systems at source, treat 100% of domestic wastewater to required standards before discharge into the sea, and gradually replace single-use plastic products with environmentally friendly materials.
Cruise itineraries also incorporate activities to preserve and promote local cultural values. Visitors can do more than admire the scenery: they can learn about the traditional way of life in the ancient Cai Beo fishing village and cycle through Viet Hai Ancient Village to discover local life. These experiences help create tourism products with greater depth while generating livelihoods and improving incomes for local communities.
With systematic investment by businesses and appropriate management policies from Hai Phong City, cruise tourism is becoming an important development direction. This provides a foundation for building Cat Ba's brand as a green, high-end and sustainable destination, enhancing its appeal on both domestic and international tourism maps.
THU HANG