Another Way to Explore Ha Long

Instead of traveling on a fixed itinerary, visitors to Ha Long will soon have a flexible option for their destinations, allowing them to stop and experience before continuing their journey on a later trip. The Hop on - Hop off model is expected to open up a new way of exploration, connecting street experiences with views of the city from the water.

The product is currently being implemented in the program “One product per commune, ward, and special region” of Quang Ninh province, but the idea has been nurtured by the business prior, based on leveraging and expanding experience models that Vietnam Scenic Company JSC has successfully deployed, such as double-decker sightseeing buses and various products and scenic spaces on the bay.

Mr. Ngo Duy Ninh, representative of Vietnam Scenic Company JSC in Quang Ninh, shared: The company's desire is not only to add another means of transport for passengers, but also to connect existing products into a diverse experience chain. From the bus's upper deck to the bay's surface, visitors can feel Ha Long from various heights through different perspectives and pacing.

From this idea, the most notable feature of the product lies in the organization of the itinerary. Instead of operating on a closed loop, the Hop on - Hop off model allows visitors to actively choose their stops and experience duration. They can disembark to visit, enjoy, shop, savor local cuisine, and then continue their journey on the next trip. When conditions allow, the company plans to organize about one trip per hour; while connecting cruise ships with double-decker buses through various stops, adding more flexibility for visitors.

According to the plan currently being prepared, the journey is expected to start from the Bai Chay ferry area, connecting to the Hon Gai ferry and areas such as Vincom, Quang Ninh Museum, and Cột 5 beach... Each stop opens up a unique experience. From Bai Chay, visitors can cross to Hon Gai, disembark to visit Quang Ninh Museum, learn about the mining region culture; stop in the urban center to shop, enjoy local cuisine, or relax at the beach before boarding the next ship.

Thanks to this connection, the cruise ship not only takes guests through scenic areas but can also guide them closer to cultural structures, amusement parks, and coastal services. This is also a distinctive feature of the product: Combining transportation with sightseeing while granting visitors the right to organize their itinerary according to their time and preferences.

Not only flexible in the itinerary, the product is also expected to use twin-hull cruise ships. According to the implementing unit, this structure helps stabilize the ship, minimizing rocking, suitable for coastal journeys. However, the product's appeal does not only lie in the means of transportation but also depends on the overall journey's convenience, safety, and seamlessness.

Therefore, to turn that rich and evocative journey into a complete product, additional “links” in infrastructure and operational organization are still needed. The business is currently focusing on perfecting the passenger ports, pick-up and drop-off points, and controlling the itinerary; while completing procedures, operational plans, and related conditions, aiming to bring the product into operation in the third quarter of 2026.

According to Mr. Ngo Duy Ninh, in addition to the company's efforts, the implementation process requires close coordination with departments, sectors, and localities to complete procedures, infrastructure, and operational organization. Along with that, reasonable frequency, specific guidance, transparent ticket prices, and especially service quality will determine the actual experience of visitors.

In the context of Quang Ninh promoting the program “One product per commune, ward, and special region,” the Hop on - Hop off scenic cruise shows a new direction for product creation from the very landscapes, infrastructure, and available services. If operated synchronously, safely, and conveniently, the product will not only offer additional methods to connect Bai Chay - Hon Gai but also help effectively exploit coastal spaces, directing tourists to many service points and enhancing the value of local resources.