Media • Company History

Heritage Line officially launches sales for its brand-new 2-night luxury cruise through Bai Tu Long Bay, located just northeast of Halong Bay, with operations beginning on 2 January 2026 aboard the boutique ship ‘Violet’. This new itinerary will replace the current 1- and 2-night Halong Bay cruises, which will continue to operate through the end of 2025.

After a long pause in 2024, the refurbished and re-designed ‘Anouvong’ returns with significant upgrades and enhancements. These include expanded spaces on the sun deck and in the staterooms, as well as the addition of a Jacuzzi pool and a small gym on the upper deck.

Heritage Line renews its partnership with the luxury consortium “Serandipians by TravellerMade” (network community of luxury travel designers), now featuring ship ‘Jayavarman’ (Lower Mekong, Vietnam & Cambodia) and ‘Violet’ (Halong Bay, Northern Vietnam).

After a four-month renovation, Heritage Line’s small-boutique ship ‘Violet’ returns completely redesigned in all interior and exterior areas to Halong Bay. The almost “new” ship has also enhanced its positioning as the most private cruise available in the bay, by adding a new private dining venue and private services.

Heritage Line joins the prestigious, luxury travel consortium “Virtuoso” offering brand new ways and channels to market its luxury cruise portfolio.

Heritage Line upgrades its Lower Mekong cruises by introducing a completely overhauled itinerary adding new ports of calls and changing experiences and sight-seeing at existing ports. In addition, new optional group shore excursions and tours are available now, offering either food-themed or cycling tours. These updates make a Heritage Line cruise one of the most compelling cruise itineraries available on the lower Mekong River.

Heritage Line re-joins the luxury consortium “Serandipians by TravellerMade” (network community of luxury travel designers) with its two ships ‘Jayavarman’ (Lower Mekong, Vietnam & Cambodia) and ‘Ylang’ (Lan Ha Bay, Northern Vietnam).

After almost three years of post-covid hibernation and a year of refurbishment and re-designing interiors, Heritage Line ‘Jayavarman’ returns with a new concept and nice culinary onboard theme. The restaurant has been completely remodeled and received an open kitchen facility allowing an enhanced culinary experience during dining.

Heritage Line launches the first-ever boutique ship, ‘Anouvong’, on the Upper Mekong in Laos. This ship only features 08 staterooms and 02 suites which can be regarded as the largest accommodation available on the river. The ship sails between the Thai-Lao border, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane (vice versa).

After 2.5 years basically in hibernation, Heritage Line has re-launched its cruise operation in the last quarter of 2022 with four of our seven luxurious ships in the cruise destination Lower Mekong, Lan Ha Bay, and Halong Bay. The pandemic had its toll though as we had to retire one of our icon vessels Heritage Line ‘Jasmine’ (see PR release). 2023 will be a very exciting year with the launch of the new and first luxury ship on the Upper Mekong.

Heritage Line launches a new and extraordinary website. The company will continue to develop its online presence and introduce new features such as Agent Portal and online booking engine.

The Coronavirus pandemic hits, heavily impacting the travel industry. Though Vietnam has fared better than most countries in containing its spread, Heritage Line is no exception and has been forced to suspend cruises indefinitely (a first in its 10-year history).

‘Ylang’ embarks on her maiden voyage in Lan Ha Bay. A positive echo reverberates throughout the travel industry, praising ‘Ylang’ as the first ship with a dedicated 2-Night wellness-themed journey.

Building of the new Upper Mekong vessel ‘Anouvong’ starts with a keel laying ceremony on the riverbanks of a small village in Bokeo Province, Northern Laos. An exciting adventure starts…

Heritage Line celebrates its 10th anniversary. Crew and passengers from two of its original vessels, ‘Jayavarman’ and ‘The Jahan’, commemorate the event with a ceremony in Phnom Penh.

The cruise company continues to grow and announces a new cruise destination in Laos. The luxury boutique ship named ‘Anouvong’ will be the first of its kind to traverse the Upper Mekong. Heritage Line completes its cruise portfolio in Southeast Asia’s Indochina region.

Heritage Line announces its second luxury ship in Lan Ha Bay. ‘Ylang’ will be the most extravagant cruise vessel available in the region – And her unique wellness theme will be the region’s first, offering a truly unique itinerary and onboard activities.

Brand new ‘Ginger’ begins sailing new itinerary in Lan Ha Bay, Vietnam.

Heritage Line announces a revolutionary new ship with a culinary theme aboard. ‘Ginger’ is set to sail to Lan Ha Bay, a new cruise destination neighboring Halong Bay in Vietnam.

‘Ginger’ (the original) embarks on its final cruise in Halong Bay, though her renowned name is reserved for a new vessel to come.

Growing at an exponential rate, the Heritage Line team and head office relocates from Saigon’s District 7 in the outskirts to a larger building near the airport and in the heart of the city.

Maiden voyage of ‘Anawrahta’ along the Ayeyarwady River in Myanmar. The extravagant ship sets the benchmark for luxurious cruising in this destination for many years to come.

Heritage Line announces its expansion to a new cruising destination along Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady and Chindwin Rivers aboard a brand new, state-of-the-art luxury vessel.

Heritage Line takes over and merges with the company, Cruise Halong, adding ‘Violet’, ‘Jasmine’ and ‘Ginger’ to its existing luxury ship collection. Cruise Halong was co-owned by Heritage Line’s CEO and founder John Nguyen.

‘The Jahan’ joins ‘Jayavarman’ on the Mekong River for its first voyage from Saigon to Phnom Penh. Until today, no ship emanates such a spectacular aura, with spectators waving as it sails past the promenade and skyline of Phnom Penh.

Heritage Line’s first river vessel (and first luxury vessel plying the Mekong River), ‘Jayavarman’, begins journeying the lower Mekong River between Saigon and Siem Reap.

Heritage Line is founded by Mr. John Tue Nguyen. A small team commences operation in a tiny office in Saigon.