Ha Long Bay to launch sunrise tour aboard three-panel sailboats

According to the tour operator, the "Sunrise on Ha Long Bay" experience is expected to operate daily, with departures between 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.

Guests will be picked up by a double-decker sightseeing bus in Bai Chay before transferring to Hon Gai Passenger Port, where they will board traditional sailing boats for an early morning journey across the UNESCO World Heritage site.

As the sun rises over the bay, visitors will have the opportunity to experience Ha Long from a unique perspective aboard traditional three-panel sailboats, vessels that once formed an essential part of the daily lives of local fishermen.

The tour continues with a panoramic bus ride through Ha Long City, passing landmarks including the Quang Ninh Museum, Hon Gai Beach, the Quang Ninh Planning, Fair and Exhibition Palace, Ha Long Flower Park, and Bai Chay Bridge, before returning to the departure point.

The sunrise tour follows the relaunch of traditional three-panel boat services on Ha Long Bay in late June 2026 by a joint venture between Quang Ninh Waterway Passenger Transport JSC and Vietnam Sightseeing JSC after several previous suspensions.

Six vessels are currently in service, each carrying up to 12 passengers. The fleet could be expanded to 10-12 boats if demand grows.

Before the introduction of the sunrise itinerary, the operator had already launched daytime sailing experiences along a route covering approximately 12 kilometres through parts of Ha Long Bay.

The three-panel sailboat is a traditional craft once widely used by fishermen in Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay. Powered by wind, it played an important role in local livelihoods before gradually disappearing over time.

The vessels now in operation are part of a project to build 10 traditional sailboats aimed at reviving the region's maritime heritage while creating a distinctive tourism product for Ha Long.

The restoration project involves People's Artisan Le Duc Chan, the 17th-generation successor of Quang Ninh's traditional three-panel boatbuilding craft. He has overseen key technical stages of the construction process to ensure the boats preserve their original design and craftsmanship.

By combining cultural heritage with sustainable tourism, local authorities hope the new sunrise tour will diversify visitor experiences while helping preserve one of Quang Ninh's most distinctive maritime traditions.

New cruise link connects heritage tourism space between Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay

VOV.VN - A cruise route connecting Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay was put into operation on April 20, opening up a unique journey across heritage areas and marking a new step in linking heritage tourism space between Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong city in northern Vietnam.