Tourism along Vietnam’s coastline has taken off, and with investment capital continuing to pour in, the luxury segment shows no signs of slowing down.

Vietnam is blessed with a coastline of 3,400km lined with beautiful beaches and with a number of paradise islands dotted throughout its waters. The northeast coastline, central and southern coast regions are currently the most attractive for both domestic and foreign investors.

While most investors tend to look at popular tourist destinations such as Halong Bay, Danang, Phu Quoc and Nha Trang, others look to newer destinations that hold increasing potential like Hoi An, Mui Ne and Phu Yen.

According to the Vietnam General Statistics Office, investment in hotels and restaurants currently attracts the highest capital. In the first quarter of 2018 alone there were 19 new hospitality projects and three capital-increased projects with total registered capital of US$121,23 million. From the start of the year to March 20, 2018, it was estimated that the total registered capital reached US$12,097.517 million.

Most investment in luxury projects aimed at relaxation getaways is currently in the coastal provinces. Thanks to convenient and flexible investment policies, luxurious resorts and properties have sprung up along wild and beautiful beach areas.

Sea tourism has taken hold within Vietnam, particularly amongst the bloom of international and local upscale investors building and operating high-end hotels and resorts along the coast line in areas with good infrastructure such as Danang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Vung Tau.

The scale and structure of investment in the region is changing rapidly towards the luxury trend and creating many more amusement and leisure products aimed at high-end tourists.

While such local brands as BRG, Sun Group, Vin Group, Muong Thanh Hospitality and FLC invest a huge amount of money into the building of grandiose tourism properties along the coastline, famous international hospitality groups such as Accor, Hilton, IHG, Aman, Melia, Centara and Movenpick smoothly and effectively put these luxurious hotels and resorts into operation.

The appearance of such famous brands has boosted the image of Vietnam’s tourism sector.

Moreover, new sea sport and recreation offerings have begun to appear, creating more choice for high-end travellers. It is now possible to fly between Hanoi and the World Natural Heritage Site Halong Bay by hydroplane.

Luxury travellers can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the wonderful landscape of Danang with a helicopter tour, or float in the paradise of Nha Trang Bay with 5-star Emperor Cruises.

Added to these specialised tours, the coastline is developing rapidly along with the trends of ecosea, leisure and sea sport tourism, with centres and resorts now offering such sports as diving, scuba diving, parasailing, kayaking, surfing and yacht racing year-round.

Additionally, Vietnam’s gold coast boasts a rich mix of attractions from the north to the south. Besides a number of UNESCO accredited cultural heritage sites, the stunning beaches and jaw-dropping scenery make the coast provinces, especially Quang Ninh, Danang, Quang Nam, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan, Vung Tau and Kien Giang hot spots for luxury sea tourism, contributing to the strong appeal the country holds for travellers.

The coastline also offers numerous world class golf courses, making it a top destination for luxury golf tourism. The Colin Montgomerie-designed Montgomerie Links, Greg Norman’s BRG Danang Golf resort, Nick Faldo’s Laguna Lang Co Golf Club in Thua Thien Hue and Ocean Dunes Golf Club in Phan Thiet as well as Ronald Fream’s Sea Links Country Golf have earned the central coast its place as Asia’s new golf tourism hotspot.

Adding to the accessibility of the region, Vietnam Airlines and VietJetAir have opened many new direct routes connecting the coastal areas to major tourism hubs including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang as well as to cities around the world.

In addition, famous luxury cruise ship operators in Europe, the US, and Asia, including Costa Croisieres, Star Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises and P&O Princess Cruises are increasingly choosing Vietnam as a stop on their itineraries.

Upscale international cruises stopping in seaports along the country such as Halong, Haiphong, Danang, Quy Nhon, Cam Ranh, Vung Tau and Ho Chi Minh City bring millions of high-end tourists each year.

Tourism in Vietnam is developing at an astonishing rate, with an influx of investment in luxury tourism products, especially along the coastal line. The image and prestige of Vietnam’s sea tourism sector is changing rapidly in positive ways, helping the country define its position on the world tourism map as a luxury tourism destination.

Time Out