Grand Pioneers named World’s Best and Asia’s Best at the World Cruise Awards 2026

Three Consecutive Years of Recognition at the World Cruise Awards

The winners of the World Cruise Awards have just been revealed for 2026 – and Grand Pioneers Halong Bay Cruise (Vietnam) has taken the Asia's top prize: World’s Best Green Cruise Line 2026 and Asia’s Best Cruise Line 2026.

Now in its sixth edition, the winners were announced on 12 October at a gala ceremony in Jamaica. Destination winners included Vietnam, which won World’s Best River Cruise Destination and Asia’s Best Cruise Destination 2026.

Following its achievements in 2024 and 2025, Grand Pioneers has now been recognised at the World Cruise Awards for three consecutive years. This milestone is particularly notable for a brand that only launched in late 2023, with its first international award wins coming just a year after it began operations.

Grand Pioneers was named World’s Best Green Cruise Line 2026, securing the title for the third time, recognising its approach to environmentally responsible cruise operations. The vessel incorporates technologies including seawater-cooled air conditioning, low-emission engines and wastewater treatment systems. These measures are designed to improve resource efficiency and help reduce the environmental impact of cruising in the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh city.

At the regional level, Grand Pioneers also won Asia’s Best Cruise Line 2026. Designed to offer a luxury resort experience on the bay, its vessels feature cabins with private balconies, alongside dining, entertainment and wellness facilities. The brand also places importance on guest privacy and personalised service, with experiences tailored to the needs of different travellers and groups.

World Cruise Awards – the global initiative to recognise and reward excellence in the cruise industry - is the sister event to World Travel Awards, currently celebrating its 33rd anniversary.

Established in 1993, World Travel Awards aim to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across every key sector of the global travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised worldwide as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.

Two More Titles at the World Luxury Travel Awards 2026

Grand Pioneers Halong Bay Cruise received 2 titles at the World Luxury Travel Awards in October 2026: Best Bespoke Yacht Cruise in Asia and Best Cruise Liner in Asia.

The World Luxury Travel Awards is part of the World Luxury Awards family, recognising brands in luxury travel and hospitality. The awards place an emphasis on guest experience and service quality, with winners selected through votes from travellers and industry professionals.

The two titles highlight another aspect of the Grand Pioneers experience. Beyond exploring the natural beauty of Ha Long Bay, guests can take pleasure in a luxury retreat at sea, with thoughtfully designed spaces and services throughout their stay.

The Best Bespoke Yacht Cruise in Asia title reflects Grand Pioneers' focus on personalised travel experiences. Guests can choose from a range of accommodation, dining and wellness options to suit their preferences, schedules and individual pace, allowing them to cherish every moment on board in their own way.

The Best Cruise Liner in Asia title highlights the overall resort experience. A day aboard Grand Pioneers might begin with views of Ha Long Bay from a private balcony, followed by dining or time spent relaxing at Sea Spa or the four-season saltwater pool. Together, the natural surroundings and onboard facilities offer guests different ways to enjoy the journey, alongside opportunities to explore the destination.

Developing responsible marine tourism in Vietnam

Developed by Viet Thuan Group, Grand Pioneers Halong Bay Cruise aims to balance business development with heritage conservation and sustainable tourism. Its guiding philosophy, “We only exist when nature is preserved,” reflects this approach.

By combining sustainable operating technologies, maritime safety standards and luxury hospitality, the brand aims to contribute to the continued development of Vietnam's marine tourism industry.

Mr Luong The Tuyen, Deputy Director of Viet Thuan Transport Co., Ltd., said:

“This global recognition is deeply meaningful—both to us and to the destination we strive to preserve. It also serves as a powerful motivation for us to remain committed to a responsible approach in our business operations.

We continuously enhance the quality of our services in line with international standards, while remaining committed to our core values, preserving nature and the essence of Vietnam throughout every journey.

We hope to continue gaining recognition on the international stage, thereby helping to promote Ha Long Bay and Vietnam as a destination for travellers from around the world”.

Additional Information

About Viet Thuan Group

Established on 26 August 2005, Viet Thuan Group has grown into a major Vietnamese shipping company. Today, the Group owns and manages a fleet with a combined carrying capacity of nearly two million tonnes. Its operations cover almost all major domestic shipping routes, with a growing presence in international markets.

The fleet includes large vessels ranging from 55,000 to 80,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT), transporting bulk, dry and general cargo for Vietnam's import and export trade.

About Grand Pioneers Halong Bay Cruise

Launched in late 2023, Grand Pioneers Halong Bay Cruise is Vietnam's first overnight cruise fleet to be designed, built and operated entirely by Vietnamese companies using international-standard luxury shipbuilding technology.

It is also the country's first cruise fleet built to VR-SB classification standards, enabling operations across Vietnam's coastal waters.

Grand Pioneers Cruise honoured at World Cruise Awards

VOV.VN - The Grand Pioneers Cruise vessel of Viet Thuan Transport Co Ltd has been honoured as the World's Best Green Cruise Line 2024 at the fourth World Cruise Awards held in Madeira, Portugal.