Safety, quality and sustainable development have become essential requirements for the tourist fleet operating on Ha Long Bay. From controlling the number of vessels to raising technical, service and environmental protection standards, Quang Ninh is gradually developing a modern fleet worthy of the status of the World Natural Heritage Site.
The tourist fleet on Ha Long Bay began operating in 1988 with fewer than 10 wooden boats, each carrying six to 15 passengers. By 2015, the fleet had peaked at 539 vessels, the highest number recorded to date. In recent years, Quang Ninh has shifted its focus from increasing fleet quantity to quality improvement.
As of May 2026, 487 vessels were registered to operate on Ha Long Bay, including 369 in service and 118 temporarily suspended for rebuilding or replacement. The fleet comprises 268 sightseeing vessels with a combined capacity of 15,943 passengers, 97 overnight vessels with 1,815 cabins accommodating 4,281 passengers, and four restaurant vessels with a combined capacity of 1,140 passengers.
The fleet structure continues to be adjusted towards a higher proportion of steel-hulled vessels and improvements in vessel size and quality. Controlling fleet size aligns with the province’s development goals and fulfills UNESCO’s recommendation against expanding vessel numbers operating within the core zone of the World Natural Heritage Site, while still maintaining sufficient capacity to serve around 3.6 million tourist arrivals for sightseeing and overnight stays each year.
Fleet quality has been improved not only in terms of vessel size but also technical standards. All vessels currently in operation comply with regulations on technical safety, fire prevention and firefighting, environmental protection and safety equipment. Many newly built vessels exceed national baseline standards. Alongside investment in vessels, regular inspections and supervision are maintained to ensure safety conditions throughout their operation.
By Thanh Hoa
