Journey through the heritage land

An adventurous journey through heritage sites.

Tourists explore the heritage site - a fishing village on Ha Long Bay. Photo: Nguyen Hieu.

My memory then is of a large, simple ship with two rows of wooden seats, gently gliding through the waters, taking passengers to explore the islands and rocky mountains of various shapes, towering majestically from the clear blue sea in the heart of the heritage site.

In the summer of 2018, as a travel reporter, I had the opportunity to return to Ha Long Bay with a group of journalists to attend the first professional music minishow held on a 5-star cruise ship in the bay.

Amidst the breezy atmosphere, the sound of the piano echoing in the sunset made Ha Long appear like a surreal painting – romantic and full of emotion. It was at that moment that I realized this heritage site had donned a new, more vibrant and captivating attire than ever before.

Besides admiring Ha Long Bay from ships, tourists can also observe thousands of limestone islands from a high vantage point, through the windows of a seaplane.

Seaplane tours of Ha Long Bay have been operating since 2014, initially primarily serving international tourists. It wasn't until around 2020 that the seaplane experience began attracting Vietnamese tourists.

At the end of 2024, during my third business trip back to Ha Long, I had the opportunity to fly in a seaplane – experiencing the exploration of this heritage site from above.

Taking off from the water, Ha Long Bay unfolded before my eyes like a magnificent natural painting: rocky islands rising amidst the azure ocean, each bay's contour winding like a masterful brushstroke. In the distance, the horizon glowed red in the setting sun, where seagulls soared endlessly across the sky. The 15-minute journey offered completely new and unique perspectives on Ha Long Bay.

In recent years, Quang Ninh's tourism industry has undergone a strong transformation, from infrastructure to tourism mindset. Investments in highway systems, international passenger ports, specialized marinas, and new tourism products have created conditions for Ha Long to become a year-round tourist destination.

Most recently, the Ha Long Bay Summer 2025 survey program - "Ha Long Voyage: Culture, Heritage & Renew" - once again brought me back to discover a very different Ha Long Bay: familiar yet fresh.

It's still a luxury cruise with 5-star amenities, and the itinerary still includes visits to heritage sites with many attractive activities such as kayaking, fishing, and learning about the history of Vung Vieng fishing village... but it's shortened to a day to suit the needs of guests. Previously, if tourists wanted to experience all these activities, they usually had to go on a 2-day, 1-night tour or longer.

Beyond simply admiring the beautiful scenery of Ha Long, visitors can experience much more in a journey that emphasizes sustainability, guiding them towards preserving the heritage and cultural, historical, and traditional values of the local area.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu, General Director of Vitamin Tours & Events and Head of the Organizing Committee, shared: “We – local tourism service providers and travel businesses – have the responsibility to both preserve and promote the heritage value, and to renew the tourism experience in Ha Long Bay, so that Ha Long always remains interesting and attractive in the eyes of tourists, so that it is not just a destination to admire and visit once and then forget.”

Through promotional campaigns, Famtrips, and the support of the press and media, we hope to introduce and spread new tourism products, from budget-friendly to luxury, to attract tourists to Ha Long Bay.”

Fortunately, these activities are receiving support from the local government. In 2025, Quang Ninh aims to welcome 20 million tourists, including 4.5 million international visitors. Total revenue from tourism activities is expected to reach 50,000 billion VND.

However, in the context of a still struggling economy and fierce competition from emerging destinations, the local tourism industry is facing numerous challenges.

Each time I return, I see Ha Long transforming again with improved infrastructure and new services and experiences, ranging from budget-friendly to high-end. And I understand that, like every other reporting trip, our mission as journalists is to document and disseminate these positive changes, so that the heritage is not only preserved but also continues to thrive with its own unique charm.

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