 The Grand Pioneers cruise ship (photo: Ngoc Anh) |
The Viet Thuan Group owns Grand Pioneers I and II, which are the two largest cruise ships in Vietnam. Each luxurious, modern cruise ship is 110 meters long and 18 meters wide and has a maximum capacity of 320 guests for a day voyage or 160 overnight guests. The ship has an entertainment lounge, a children's play area, meeting rooms, a Presidential room, a gym, a swimming pool, a restaurant, a spa, a cinema box, and a karaoke parlour.
The Grand Pioneers I hosts one-night tours twice or three times per week. The Grand Pioneers II conducts a two-night tour from Monday to Wednesday each week.
 Presidential room on the Grand Pioneers cruise ship (photo: Ngoc Anh) |
The Grand Pioneers cruise ships are the first overnight ships in Vietnam that use high-end shipbuilding technology that meets international standards. The ships are designed, built, and operated by Vietnamese firms.
Luong The Tuyen, Deputy Director of the Viet Thuan Group, said: “Grand Pioneers cruise ships offer heritage journeys connecting the two heritage regions of Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay. Bai Tu Long Bay has abundant cultural and historical potentials to be unlocked. This is the first and longest maritime tourist route connecting heritage regions. With this journey, we expect to create a new trend for Quang Ninh tourism and attract to Ha Long Bay many high-spending tourists who will stay longer.”
 Ha Long Bay viewed from Sung Sot cave (photo: Ngoc ANh) |
The Ha Long Heritage Journey takes tourists to four heritage regions. Departing from Tuần Chau port, the tour goes to Đầu Gỗ island, the starting point of the Ha Long Bay World Natural Wonder Arc, then to 20 other islands, islets, and caves, including Gà Chọi islet, Đỉnh Hương islet, Titop island, Sửng Sốt island, Trống cave, Vung Viêng, Ba Cửa, Vụng Hà, and Cống Đỏ.
The journey continues to Sen village, Van Don, Quan Lan, Bai Tu Long National Park, and returns to the starting point. Thai tourist Pia Rich said: “It’s amazing. It’s a different type of caves, unlike in my country. I’ll come back to this place. This is the second time I’m in Hanoi. This is the first time I’ve been to Ha Long Bay. I was in Sapa last month. It’s amazing. The boat is new. We don’t have anything like this in my country. It’s a good experience.”
 Sung Sot cave (photo: Ngoc Anh) |
On the ship are two luxury restaurants that serve dishes from many countries. Nguyen Manh Truong, the company’s master chef, said: “Grand Pioneers' cuisine uses mainly seafood from Ha Long Bay. Our dishes are cooked in both the classic and the modern style. We have fixed menus and also serve customized menus for foreigners. Our restaurants serve European, Indian, and Muslim dishes.”
 Kayaking on Ha Long Bay (photo: Ngoc Anh) |
The Ha Long Heritage Journey is authorized by Quang Ninh province to help preserve and honor Ha Long Bay’s heritages. Australian tourist David Turnbull said: “The boat is magnificent and new. The service from the staff is amazing and friendly. The design is fantastic. It’s not too big, not too small. There is enough space to sit and stay. This is the most beautiful cave. I studied caves at university. We have caves like this in Australia. But this has the best access. You can get close to everything here. You can see the stalactites up there and you can also see the stalagmites down at the bottom. Being able to get close to everything is very unusual. It’s beautiful and easy to access. I love it a lot.”
The Ha Long Heritage Journey is a new, unique tourist product of Quang Ninh province. This tour breathes fresh air into Ha Long Bay tourism in particular and Vietnam marine tourism in general.
 Vung Vieng fishing village on Bai Tu Long Bay (photo: Ngoc Anh) |