Private Junk Cruising Through Vietnam's Ha Long Bay

HA LONG, Vietnam - Steering towards an exclusive, personalized cruise experience, Life Heritage Resort Ha Long Bay set sail the first weekend in March with a fleet of heritage-style junks, each a floating four-star hotel room, ready to drop anchor in breathtaking Ha Long Bay.

In its initial weeks on the water, the Life Resort vessels take to the bay in six-hour day cruises, with overnight voyages to follow soon. Whether cruising by the hour or the day, passenger preference guides the itinerary.

"At Life Heritage Resort Ha Long, guests custom-design their trip, choosing where they want to go," said Chris Duffy, group general director of Life Resorts. "Your crew lets you do what you wish, when you wish, for the most bespoke experience on the bay."

Day cruises begin with a leisurely check in at Life Resort's private land-based hub at Tuan Chau Island while a three-member crew makes preparations before guests board their private junk. Crews consist of a captain, engineer and cruise host, who acts as butler to the passengers.

Each boat is built and operated to Certified Marine Standards, meeting Vietnam's shipping registry requirements, VIRES, and is fully equipped with modern maritime emergency features for peace of mind and safety while on the water.

Inside, the junk boasts a fully-furnished 32 sq. meter cabin featuring local Vietnamese touches, carved hardwood detailing and wide panoramic windows opening onto the tranquil waters and awe-inspiring limestone karst formations of Ha Long Bay. Each vessel is 15 metres length with 4.5 metre beam and powered by WEICHAI engine with maximum speed of 10 knots.

Life Heritage Resort Ha Long's private vessels include a separate lounging area, and the cabin features an en suite bathroom, air conditioning and heating, and is outfitted with an LCD television, CD/DVD player and an assortment of board games.

Sun beds for two await on the upper deck while below, guests can unwind in their very own private, timber-style cabin. For the more energetic, the boat's kayaks, snorkeling equipment and fishing gear are all complimentary with the $220 day cruise.

Anytime throughout the trip, guests can dine on sumptuous fresh cuisine while taking in the sights from the romantic covered dining terrace. The six-hour cruise includes afternoon tea and a set lunch for two, prepared on-board by Life Resort's expert hosts. A wide spectrum of international wines and chilled beverages are available and pre-ordered before boarding. Guests can also select favorite dishes from Life Resort's international menu, prior to sailing.

Once out on the water, sailing through the maze of islands, the Life Resort boats cruise past floating fish markets, call on hidden grottos, anchor off secluded beaches and simply sail gently beneath the sleeping dragons of a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, in privacy and at one's leisure.

General Director Chris Duffy notes that besides offering first-rate amenities on a historic Vietnamese craft, it is the customizable aspect of the cruises, set against a backdrop of one of the most stunning locations on the planet, which makes Life Resort Ha Long Bay a once in a lifetime experience.

"We don't 'rush' guests around. Some may opt to visit the famous caves or beaches, but if the guests want to avoid the tourist crowd, we sail past and away," said Duffy. "And when guests wish to be alone, the whole boat is theirs to do so."

Life Resorts owns and operates three resorts in Vietnam and manages one other. On Vietnam's central coast, the 94-room Life Heritage Resort Hoi An evokes the colonial splendor of a bygone era on a quiet stretch of the Thu Bon River within walking distance of the trading port's world-famous Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On the south-central coast, the 63-room Life Wellness Resort Quy Nhon is dedicated to the tenets of wellness, from yoga and tai chi to an ample range of spa treatments and anti-stress and detox programs. Four hours from Ho Ch Minh City, Life manages the 84-room Blue Ocean Resort at Mui Ne, featuring a 153-meter beach, a 26-meter swimming pool and lush tropical grounds.