Indochina Sails

What Indochina Sails does

Indochina Sails is a privately held Vietnamese luxury cruise operator headquartered in Hanoi that has run overnight cruises on Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay since 1993, operating under the Hương Hải (Heritage) Group conglomerate. The company's current fleet consists of four purpose-built vessels — the original Indochina Sails, the 45-cabin Indochine Cruise (launched 2019), the 37-cabin Indochine Premium (launched 2023), and the 32-cabin Indochine Grand (launched 2025) — following the April 2024 discontinuation of the smaller Valentine 2-cabin wooden vessel. The product centers on 2- and 3-night packages priced from approximately 3.3M to 9.2M VND per person, with private charter for corporate MICE and weddings, optional Hanoi shuttle transfers, and onboard ancillary spend (spa, bar, optional excursions).

The technical core is physical maritime infrastructure rather than software: ships built to SB river-and-sea standards (including at the Ministry of National Defence's Shipyard 189 for Indochine Premium), featuring dual electric/mechanical steering, GPS, radar, 24/7 VHF-linked operations center, automated fire-alarm systems, and multi-layer rescue equipment. A defining differentiator is the Indochinese colonial design language executed through handcrafted Vietnamese artisan sourcing — Bat Trang ceramics, Ha Thai lacquerware, Dong Ky wood mosaic, and hand-embroidered textiles — combined with sustainability investments such as a USD 100,000 wastewater system reducing water consumption by 15%.

Revenue is generated through direct online booking via six-language websites (Vietnamese, English, French, Spanish, Taiwanese, Korean), a global travel-agent and tour-operator network with partner sales offices in Germany, Australia, USA, Spain, Taiwan, and Italy, and recurring participation in international trade shows (ITB Berlin, WTM London, Fitur Madrid, OTM Mumbai, VITM, ITE HCMC). Primary customers are premium international and high-end Vietnamese leisure travelers; secondary segments include corporate/MICE charters and celebration/wedding bookings. The company reports 1M+ cumulative guests served, 98% 5-star review achievement on Booking.com and TripAdvisor, 500+ employees, and 90% local sourcing of crew and food inputs.

Name

Indochina Sails

Legal name

Indochina Sails Group Limited

Website

https://indochinasails.vn

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Indochina Sails is a Hanoi-based luxury cruise operator, founded 1993, that runs multi-day overnight cruises on Vietnam's Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay for international and domestic premium leisure travelers, corporate MICE groups, and wedding clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Cruise Tourism

NAICS

Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation (48311)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Luxury Yacht & Small-Ship Expedition Cruises (THAEABAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Specialty-Themed Boutique Cruises (Culinary, Wellness, Diving, Culture) (THAEADAJ)

Keywords

• Luxury cruise services
• Overnight cruises
• Halong Bay tourism
• Lan Ha Bay cruises
• Heritage boat tours

Headquarters

HQ city

Hanoi

HQ country

Vietnam

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations

Revenue model

1. Overnight Cruise Packages: Core revenue from overnight cruise packages ranging from 2 days 1 night to 3 days 2 nights in Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Packages include accommodation, meals, activities (kayaking, cave visits, fishing), and transfers. Priced per person from approximately 3.3 to 9.2 million VND.
2. Full Ship Charter: Private charter services for corporate events (MICE), weddings, anniversary celebrations, and private gatherings. Allows complete customization of itinerary and services for exclusive use of the vessel.
3. Ground Transportation: Shuttle bus service from Hanoi with Dcar Limousine vehicles (9 or 17 seats). One-way tickets at 450,000 VND per person and round-trip at 650,000 VND per person.
4. Onboard Services: Revenue from additional onboard services including spa/massage, bar beverages, golf, and optional shore excursions during the cruise.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Indochina Sails sells multi-day luxury overnight cruise packages (2 days 1 night and 3 days 2 nights) in the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay in Vietnam. Each package includes premium cabin accommodation, fine-dining meals, onboard amenities (spa, bar, pool, mini golf, kayaking), and curated shore excursions such as cave visits and cultural village tours. The company also offers private full-ship charter for corporate MICE events and weddings, plus shuttle and private car transfers from Hanoi.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Indochine Cruise: Luxury cruise operating in Lan Ha Bay with 45 cabins, designed with Indochine architecture style, launched 2019
• Indochine Premium
• Indochine Grand

Products and services

• Indochine Cruise Luxury 45-cabin overnight cruise operating primarily in Lan Ha Bay, designed in Indochine architectural style combining Vietnamese artisan craftsmanship with modern amenities; targeted at premium leisure travelers seeking cultural authenticity.
• Indochine Premium 5-star premium overnight cruise with 37 cabins, private balconies, fine-dining restaurant, piano lounge, bar, outdoor Jacuzzi pool, and 1,450m² sundeck, operating in Ha Long Bay; targeted at premium leisure travelers and corporate/private charters.
• Indochine Grand Latest luxury overnight cruise with 32 luxury rooms operating in Lan Ha Bay, featuring natural wood interiors, fine-dining restaurant, rooftop bar, infinity pool, and mini golf course; positioned as Art Luxury for premium leisure travelers and exclusive charters.
• Indochina Sails (Classic Cruise) Original flagship classic overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay offering traditional Vietnamese craftsmanship and luxury amenities at accessible premium price points; targeted at premium leisure travelers.
• Full Ship Charter Service Private full-vessel charter for corporate MICE events (product launches, gala dinners, team building, incentive trips), weddings, anniversaries, and exclusive gatherings with complete itinerary and service customization.
• Shuttle Bus Transfer Service Dcar Limousine shuttle service from Hanoi Old Quarter hotels to Tuan Chau International Port, available as one-way (450,000 VND) or round-trip (650,000 VND) add-on for cruise guests.
• Private Car Transfer Service Private sedan, SUV, or minivan transfers from Hanoi hotels or airports (Noi Bai, Cat Bi, Van Don) for cruise guests with up to 8 passengers, available with surcharge for airport pickups.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served over 1 million guests since 1993 with zero safety incidents recorded
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Shipyard 189 (Ministry of National Defence)coreTechnology or Integration · 8 May 2023Indochine Premium was constructed at Shipyard 189 under the Ministry of National Defence, which applies the strictest technical and safety standards. This partnership ensures vessels meet the highest maritime safety and quality requirements.
• Bat Trang Ceramic VillagecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner100% of ceramic plates and porcelain products used on cruises are sourced from Bat Trang artisans - a famous traditional craft village. Each item is handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail.
• Ha Thai Lacquerware VillagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLacquer paintings and decorative items on vessels are sourced from Ha Thai traditional craft village, featuring intricate gold-dusted lacquer artwork.
• Dong Ky Wood Mosaic VillageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWood mosaic furniture and decorative pieces using traditional Dong Ky craftsmanship techniques are featured throughout the cruise vessels.
• Vocational Schools in Hai Phong and Surrounding AreascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with vocational schools in Hai Phong and remote mountainous/district island areas for recruitment and training of local staff. 100 scholarships offered annually with guaranteed employment after graduation.
• Local Fishing and Farming HouseholdscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner90% of food ingredients sourced locally, including nearly 5 tons of fresh seafood annually from 150 local farming and fishing households in the Quang Ninh region.
• Halong Bay Management AuthoritycoreOthersAll cruise operations are managed under the Halong Bay Management Authority which monitors weather conditions and issues sailing permissions daily. Cruises comply with all regulatory requirements.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Au Co Cruises: Boutique 3N2D Halong Bay–Lan Ha Bay cruise line with cultural and wellness positioning; competes directly with Indochine Cruise and Indochine Grand in the same itinerary corridors.
• Bhaya Cruises: Direct competitor offering overnight and day luxury cruises in Halong Bay with a multi-vessel fleet, similar itinerary structure (2N1D/3N2D) and overlapping international travel-agent distribution.
• Paradise Cruises: Halong Bay-based luxury cruise operator with premium overnight vessels, fine-dining, and strong international B2B travel-agent presence; competes for the same European and Asian premium leisure traveler.
• Emperor Cruises: Vietnamese boutique cruise line offering premium Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay experiences with butler service and heritage themes, targeting overlapping high-end leisure and charter segments.
• Starlight Cruises: Halong Bay luxury overnight cruise operator with multiple cabin classes, targeting a similar premium international guest profile via online booking and travel-agent channels.

Emerging players

• Aqua Expeditions: Operates luxury river cruises on the Mekong (and Amazon) with small-ship, design-forward vessels; relevant as a direct comparable for Indochina Sails' announced Mekong expansion project.
• Pandaw Cruises: Specialist small-ship river cruise line with strong presence on the Mekong; relevant as a competitive reference for the new Can Tho–Cai Be itinerary Indochina Sails is developing.

Regional players

• Heritage Line (Hải Phòng-based): Operates boutique luxury cruises in Lan Ha Bay and on the Mekong; shares the Indochina / French-colonial heritage design vocabulary and the same Vietnamese operator origins, making it a thematic and operational peer.

Broad incumbents

• Victoria Cruises: Operates Victoria Mekong, a luxury river cruise vessel in southern Vietnam; provides a benchmark for upscale Mekong cruising and is a natural peer for the announced expansion route.
• Scenic Group: Global luxury river and small-ship cruise operator (including Mekong); comparable as an incumbent benchmark for premium Asian river cruising and as a likely competitor for the new Mekong route.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/indochinasails
• Xx.com/indochinasails
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/indochinasail

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Indochina Sails