The Lux Group to Launch Vietnam’s First Boutique Cruise

The Lux Group to launch Vietnam’s first artful boutique cruise in the Gulf of Tonkin and on the Red
River, Vietnam.

Hanoi, Vietnam, September 27, 2018 --(PR.com)-- Already operating in Vietnam's Nha Trang Bay and
Bai Tu Long Bay, under the five-star Emperor Cruises brand name, Heritage Cruises, a member of the
Lux Group, will launch its first boutique cruise in the Cat Ba Archipelago in the Tonkin Gulf under the
brand name of Heritage Cruises. The company announces the launching of its website and first cruise
photos at www.heritagecruises.com and promoting through various travel trade shows and roads shows in
Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America.

Heritage Cruises introduces the first Vietnamese heritage and boutique cruise on the Red River and the
Gulf of Tonkin. Launching in May 2019, Heritage Cruises will offer authentic experiences for 40 guests
aboard an architecturally designed boutique river and ocean cruise ship in the Gulf of Tonkin. Amenities
include a luxury spa, movie under stars, two restaurants, indoor and outdoor lounges, pool bar and
swimming pool and 20 suites with picture windows offering river and ocean views.

As defined by The National Trust for Historic Preservation, “Cultural heritage tourism is traveling to
experience the places, artifacts, and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the
past and present. It includes cultural, historic, and natural resources.” Heritage Cruises derives the
inspiration for its boutique concept and design from the heritage ships of the patriotic entrepreneur Bach
Thai Buoi, who transformed transportation on the waterways of Tonkin in the north of Vietnam in the
early 20th century. Being a heritage-inspired designer cruise ship, but still with a boutique concept,
Heritage Cruises care about the guest experience, offering them an upscale lifestyle with an artistic twist,
together with concierge services.

“Like boutique hotels, boutique cruises are characterized by their intimate atmosphere and idiosyncratic
style. They distinguish themselves from larger chain cruises by offering personalized attention and
stylish, themed accommodation and a story to tell. We want to create memorable moments that focus on
the local culture and arts encountered on the way,” said Pham Ha, CEO of Heritage Cruises.

“Our boutique cruise categorizes its ships not with stars but by character, quality, style and the overall
unique experience of staying there. As Heritage Cruises' first boutique cruise, which is positioned as
four-star rating for the whole experience, we want to raise the bar for the art of cruising in the Halong
Bay region. We ensure we give our clients the 'ultimate in luxury and sophistication' and 'out of the
ordinary on-board facilities.' Your feedback and social media reviews are important to us and may even
affect the official star rating of our property.”

Beyond offering a cozier atmosphere, the small size of this ship creates a completely different experience,
both onshore and on board. Smaller ships allow easy access to remote, less-visited places that the larger
vessels just can't get to, leading to refreshingly unique itineraries. This authentic experience offers the
chance to cruise the Gulf of Tonkin (Lan Ha Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, and Halong Bay) in an authentic and

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unique style, complemented by personalized service and on-request limousine transfers, which Heritage
Cruises offers, taking the 5B highway from Hanoi to cut the journey down to just 1.5 hours.

Heritage Cruises is available for FITs (free independent travelers), small groups and charters. This
top-notch cruising experience is for repeat travelers to Vietnam wanting something different, exotic, and
out of the ordinary. The exclusive cruising experiences are highly recommended for heritage travelers,
seasoned leisure travelers, active holidaymakers, honeymooners, families, fine-art enthusiasts, nature
lovers, photographers, groups of friends, VIPs and celebrities.

Cat Ba is the largest of the 366 islands spanning the 260km2 seascape that comprises the Cat Ba
Archipelago, which makes up the southeastern edge of Halong Bay in northern Vietnam. Cat Ba Island
has a surface area of 285km2 and retains the dramatic and rugged features of Halong Bay. This island
belongs to Haiphong City - an important industrial city which, together with Hanoi and Halong, forms an
important economic triangle in north Vietnam.

Approximately half of Cat Ba Island is covered by its national park, which is the home to the highly
endangered Cat Ba Langur. The Cat Ba Archipelago boasts pristine beaches, secluded lagoons, coves,
tropical forests, and lakes, allowing holidaymakers to swim, kayak and bike to fully experience the Gulf
of Tonkin. The itinerary also includes the fishing villages of Lan Ha Bay, and watersports such as
kayaking, squid fishing, snorkeling and wildlife spotting.

On the three-deck Heritage Cruises ship, 20 suites range from 33m2 to 79m2, while food and beverage
options include Le Tonkin and Indochine restaurants for Vietnamese gourmet cuisine. The ship also
features an outdoor deck, complete with Vietnam's first infinity swimming pool on a cruise ship, pool bar,
and private cabanas, the Bach Thai Buoi Library for reading and relaxation, the White Lotus Spa offering
massages and essential oil treatments, a dry sauna, fitness center, movies under the stars, and games room
as well as its art gallery and auction center.

Heritage Cruises offers a floating exhibition, L'Art de l'Annam, with the first designer art gallery of artist
Pham Luc, known as the Picasso of Vietnam, along with the works of other famous Vietnamese artists.
Guided art tours can be arranged as well as occasional auctions. Concierge services are a specialty on the
vessel, with a one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio ensuring every need is attended to. On board are 40 crew
members, including a cruise director and experiences manager. Apart from daily limousine transfers
between Hanoi and Cat Ba Archipelago upon request, the Heritage Cruises team can also arrange for
private charter airplanes, helicopters or seaplanes.

“Our cruises operate from Got Harbor in Haiphong for the day cruise, with scheduled one- or two-night
programs such as the Heritage Discover and Heritage Explorer. In addition, three- to four-night Heritage
Expeditions to the former trading seaport of Van Don and private charters for leisure and professionals
are available upon request,” said Pham Ha.

“Travel is all about places, experiences, and memories. We will first sail this brand through the karst
seascape of the Cat Ba Archipelago, linking to Van Don, then we will cruise upstream and downstream

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from the highlands to the capital, Hanoi, and the Gulf of Tonkin over 8 days, following the old river
trading waterway, Hanoi-Pho Hien-Van Don. My goal is to gradually build maritime connections from
north to south, staying two or three nights in each destination, as part of a 10-14-day expedition.”

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Contact Information:
Heritage Cruises and Expeditions
Huyen Nguyen
8439274120
Contact via Email
www.heritagecruises.com

Online Version of Press Release:

You can read the online version of this press release at: https://www.pr.com/press-release/765868

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