This week in Ha Long Bay
2–3 MAR 2026
SAFETY · REGULATION
Deputy PM orders inspection of all 508 Ha Long Bay cruise ships
Following the February 27 fire aboard the wooden boat Signature QN-7269 near Co Cave, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh ordered Quang Ninh Province to inspect safety and technical conditions of the entire 508-vessel tourist fleet. Vessels failing to meet standards must be suspended immediately. Results were due to the Prime Minister by March 3. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism was also tasked with a nationwide waterway tourism safety review, with a report due March 10.
27 FEB 2026
INCIDENT
Tourist boat fire: all 41 passengers and crew evacuated safely
On February 27, the wooden-hulled Signature QN-7269, a 48-seat boat operated by Ha Long Wonders International Tourism JSC, caught fire near Co Cave while carrying 28 foreign tourists, two Vietnamese passengers, and 11 crew members. The captain and crew evacuated all 41 people safely; no casualties were reported. Tourists included nationals of France, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Portugal, the UK, and the US. Several lost passports; authorities coordinated with embassies to issue emergency replacements. The operator provided initial support of VND 5 million per person and covered medical costs.
28 FEB 2026
OPERATIONS
Ha Long Bay tourism continues normally after fire
The Ha Long Bay-Yen Tu World Heritage Management Board confirmed on February 28 that tourism activities on the bay, including overnight cruises and sightseeing, have continued as normal since the incident. The bay attracted 74,428 visitors over the recent Lunar New Year holiday, a 124 percent increase year-on-year.
11 MAR 2026
NEW CRUISE ROUTES
StarCruises adds Halong Bay to 5-night Hong Kong itinerary
StarCruises announced three five-night cruises from Hong Kong aboard Star Voyager, including the “Enchanting Vietnam and Sanya Cruise” departing April 26, 2026, calling at Halong Bay, Da Nang, and Sanya. Reservations opened March 13. The itinerary allows passengers to experience Halong Bay’s limestone karsts alongside Vietnam’s central coast and China’s resort destination.
22 MAR 2026
LUXURY CRUISE
Coral Princess 25-night Southeast Asia cruise features Halong Bay
Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess will depart Singapore on March 22, 2026, for a 25-night Southeast Asia itinerary. The voyage includes scenic cruising of Halong Bay on April 1–2, with a call at Cai Lan port. The itinerary also visits Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hong Kong, and multiple Japanese ports. This marks one of the most comprehensive regional cruise offerings including Halong Bay.
12 MAR 2026
DESTINATION RANKINGS
Halong Bay ranked second most-booked cruise destination in Asia
Digital travel platform Agoda released its 2026 ranking of most sought-after river cruise destinations based on booking data from January to February. Halong Bay secured second place in Asia, behind Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River. Travellers book Halong Bay day tours for sunset cruises with tea, cakes, fresh fruit, live music, kayaking, and cave exploration. Da Nang’s Han River also ranked as an emerging night cruise destination.
15–20 MAR 2026
LUXURY OVERNIGHT
Heritage Line Violet offers 1-night Halong Bay cruises this week
The luxury junk boat Violet, operated by Heritage Line, offers one-night “Dragon Passage” cruises from Halong Bay with departures on March 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20, 2026. The itinerary includes Cua Van floating village, Tien Ong cave, Ti Top Island, cooking class, Tai Chi, and squid fishing. The boat features six luxurious cabins, gym, sauna, spa, and sundeck with bar.
CAUTION
UNVERIFIED REPORT
Warning: Manila Times article on fatal capsizing is fabricated
A Manila Times article dated March 11, 2026, claimed a tourist boat capsized in Ha Long Bay killing 34 people, including over 20 children. The article included an AI disclaimer stating the content was generated by an AI system and may contain accidental inaccuracies. No Vietnamese authorities or reputable news outlets have reported any such incident. This is entirely false and fabricated. Readers should rely only on verified sources such as VnExpress, DTiNews, and official announcements.
MAR 2026
REGULATION
Quang Ninh targets replacing all wooden boats by 2030
Quang Ninh Province maintains 508 cruise ships on Ha Long Bay, many of them wooden-hulled. Following the fire, renewed scrutiny has been placed on the aging wooden fleet. The province has set a target of replacing all wooden vessels with steel or equivalent-material boats by 2030 to enhance safety and sustainability.
