Instead of following a fixed itinerary, visitors to Ha Long will soon have a more flexible way to explore the city, with the option of getting off to enjoy a destination and continuing their journey on a later service. The Hop-on Hop-off model is expected to offer a new way to explore Ha Long, connecting street-level experiences with views of the city from the water.
The product is currently being developed under Quang Ninh’s “One distinctive tourism product for each commune, ward and special zone” programme. However, the idea had already been in the pipeline for some time, building on and expanding experience models successfully introduced by Vietnam Sightseeing Joint Stock Company, including double-decker sightseeing buses and a range of sightseeing products and spaces on the bay.
Ngo Duy Ninh, a representative of Vietnam Sightseeing Joint Stock Company in Quang Ninh, said the company’s aim was not simply to add another means of passenger transport, but to connect existing products into a diverse chain of experiences. From the upper deck of a sightseeing bus to the open waters of the bay, visitors will be able to experience Ha Long from different heights, perspectives and paces.
From that idea, the most notable feature of the product lies in how the itinerary is organised. Instead of operating a closed-loop cruise route, the Hop-on Hop-off model allows visitors to choose their own stops and decide how long to spend at each one. They can disembark to sightsee, enjoy entertainment, shop and sample local cuisine before continuing their journey on a later service. Once operating conditions are met, the company plans to run approximately one service per hour, while also connecting the cruise service with double-decker buses at designated stops to give visitors greater flexibility.
Under the plan currently being prepared, the route is expected to start from the Bai Chay ferry area, connecting with Hon Gai ferry terminal and locations around Vincom, Quang Ninh Museum and Cot 5 Beach. Each stop offers a different experience. From Bai Chay, visitors can cross to Hon Gai, visit Quang Ninh Museum to learn about the culture of the Mining Area, stop in the urban centre for shopping and dining, or relax by the beach before boarding the next service.
As Quang Ninh accelerates its “One distinctive tourism product for each commune, ward and special zone” programme, the Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing cruise represents a way of renewing tourism products by making use of existing landscapes, infrastructure and services. If operated in a coordinated, safe and convenient manner, the product will not only provide another means of connecting Bai Chay and Hon Gai, but also help make more effective use of waterfront spaces, direct visitor flows to more service locations and enhance the value of local resources.
By Ha Phong
