Once upon a time…
The Vietnamese name “Phuc” is probably one of the most common ones used for boys and girls in Vietnam. But not everyone who carries that name does live up to it. Its meaning is “happiness” or “blessing”. For Ms. Phuc, Heritage Line’s General Manager aboard the luxury vessel ‘Ylang’ in Lan Ha Bay, this name matches beyond boundaries. She lives up to it with the credo “If you want to be happy – be!” This is not only a blessing for her, but moreover for everyone around her, especially our valued passenger aboard ‘Ylang’.
Growing up in the lush, flat landscapes of Thai Binh, in Northern Vietnam (not far from the famous sights of Ninh Binh or Halong Bay), where rice fields stretch endlessly into the horizon, her childhood was intertwined with the rhythms of farming life. Surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the countryside, her early years were filled with simple joys and peace. Yet, as she worked in the rice paddies, her aspirations reached far beyond the fields. From a young age, Ms. Phuc dreamt of becoming a French teacher, imagining a future that extended well beyond the familiar landscapes of her youth.
After high school, she pursued this dream by enrolling at Hanoi National University, earning a degree in French. Armed with her diploma and eager to begin her teaching career, she was ready to share her love for the French language. However, fate took an unexpected turn. By the time she graduated, all the schools in her hometown had switched from teaching French to English. “I guess my dream of being a French teacher got lost in translation,” she joked. What she once saw as a straightforward path had shifted beneath her feet, leaving her to navigate an unforeseen detour. Yet, her love for language and teaching remained, shaping the next chapter of her story.
Stepping stones
Life, as it often does, had a plot twist in store for Ms. Phuc. With her dream of teaching French no longer an option, she set her sights on Halong Bay, a place renowned for its breathtaking seascapes and vibrant tourism scene. “I figured if I couldn’t teach French in a classroom, I could at least practice it on the open seas,” she said with a grin. Her new goal was to immerse herself in English while keeping her French sharp. Ms. Phuc began her new adventure as a local tour guide in the bay, quickly falling in love with both the destination and the role. “Being a tour guide was like becoming a storyteller on a moving stage,” she reflected. “Every day brought a new chapter, and I got to be the narrator.”
In 2005, she decided that the cruise industry might be an interesting one to focus on. Equipped with two languages she was hired on her first cruise ship (not Heritage Line though) becoming a receptionist sneaking into hospitality. For five years, she expanded her onboard knowledge eagerly looking after more and more various tasks to manage the operation of a ship: welcoming guests, guiding them, managing orders and payments, and looking after quality operation from A – Z. “It was like being the captain of a floating hotel,” she reflected on these first years working. “And I have to say, I became quite skilled at balancing both luggage and expectations.”
All aboard Heritage Line
From there, Ms. Phuc’s career continued to chart new courses. She moved from one cruise brand to the other, rising through the ranks from Assistant Cruise Manager to Cruise Manager. “Back in the days, I always had an eye on the Heritage Line vessels. When Heritage Line’s Violet was launched in 2009 everyone in Halong Bay was wowed and talked about this luxury ship and that Heritage Line is a special cruise line. I wanted to work for them one day”, Phuc added with a satisfied expression.
In 2011, Ms. Phuc joined the Heritage Line family settling in aboard Heritage Line ‘Violet’, the most intimate and exclusive vessel in Halong Bay to date. With the launch of Heritage Line ‘Ylang’ to become the most luxurious cruise option in the bay, Ms. Phuc was one of the most experienced staff at that time and was appointed to manage this unique ship sailing the Lan Ha Bay areas. “I’ve spent so much time around Halong Bay, I could probably give you a tour with my eyes closed,” she laughed. “At Heritage Line, I found my place. It is not just a job. It’s my professional home. The small intimate atmosphere, the unparalleled charm and design of the ship, the international guests seeking for refined experiences, family-like onboard flairs, and more. That all makes it a special working place”.
When asked to share a memorable experience, Ms. Phuc hesitated at first, before recounting a heartwarming story about one of her most generous guests – a father and his daughter who sailed on the Heritage Line’s Ylang for a two-night itinerary. During their cruise, she bonded with the father through heartfelt conversations. He discovered that his daughter was the same age as Ms. Phuc’s own child, and when he learned that she could only see her daughter six days a month due to her work commitments, he showed incredible empathy and understanding.
As the journey came to an end, the father left Ms. Phuc a very generous tip. But what made this gesture truly remarkable was that she didn’t keep it for herself. Instead, she shared among the entire crew. “It wasn’t just about me,” she explained. “It was a gesture that acknowledged the collective effort and care that made their experience memorable.”
More stories about Heritage Line and its passionate people: Get to know Mr. Smey’s, another Cruise Manager of one of our Mekong cruises Jayavarman: https://heritage-line.com/magazine/lower-mekong-jayavarman-cruise-manager/
