HẠ LONG BAY — Anticipating an influx of travellers after the opening of a new highway between Hà Nội and Hạ Long Bay and the new Vân Đồn International Airport in Quảng Ninh Province, Paradise Cruise’s new day cruise will begin on February 15 this year.

Two of Paradise Cruise’s four 17-cabin Paradise Luxury vessels have been repurposed for the new experience, affording day trippers the same level of luxury as overnight cruisers for the first time.

The vessel’s 23sq.m cabins have private balconies, ensuite bathrooms and plush beds, and are available to day trippers who might be keen on having a more private experience on the day-long cruise.

The Paradise Luxury day cruise caters to up to 50 passengers, who will check in at the Paradise Lounge at Halong Bay’s Tuần Châu Marina at 10:30am before embarking on the cruise.

The itinerary includes exploration of Sửng Sốt Cave, kayaking in Luồn Cave and climbing to the top of Soi Sim Island for panoramic views of the bay before returning to the marina at 5:30pm.

The new highway and airport have opened up Hạ Long Bay in a whole new way, according to Nguyễn Cao Sơn, Chief Operating Officer of Paradise Group Vietnam, which owns and operates more luxury cruise ships than any other company on the bay.

“Travellers who couldn’t squeeze an overnight trip into their schedule now have the opportunity to see Hạ Long Bay in a day in style,” he said.

Prior to the launch of the new luxury cruise option, day trips to the bay were hurried, bare-bones affairs.

The new Paradise Luxury day cruise also offers non-cabin packages.

Paradise Cruise’s one-day Paradise Luxury tours are priced from $120 per person (VNĐ2.8 million) based on two people per cabin including a private cabin, transportation, sightseeing fees and meals. Non-cabin packages are available from $95 per person (VNĐ2.2 million). 

The VNĐ13 trillion (US$572 million) highway that opened in September last year has cut the four-hour drive time between Hà Nội and Hạ Long Bay in half to two hours. Vân Đồn International Airport, located 50km from the bay, opened on December 30, 2018.

In 2018, Quảng Ninh Province received 12.3 million visitors including 5.2 million foreigners, up from 9.87 million visitors with 4.28 million foreigners the year before. — VNS