Where the Spirit of Vietnam Flows: LuxGroup and the New Era of River–Sea Luxury Travel
Luxury travel is entering a new new chapter. Around the world, discerning travelers are turning away from predictable resorts and crowded landmarks, seeking journeys that feel personal, immersive, and deeply rooted in nature and culture. In Asia, no destination reflects this shift more vividly than Vietnam — a nation shaped for 4,000 years by rivers and the sea.
And no brand embodies this philosophy of exploration more profoundly than LuxGroup®, the Vietnamese luxury travel ecosystem pioneering river–sea expeditions across the country’s most evocative landscapes.
A Return to Vietnam’s Waterborne Heritage
Vietnam began with rivers. They nourished ancient villages, carried trade from delta to port, and opened pathways to the ocean. Today, as travelers rediscover the beauty of slow, meaningful travel, Vietnam’s waterways are once again emerging as the nation’s most poetic stage.
The Saigon River — once a colonial trade artery, now the lifeline of a modern metropolis — is transforming into a new symbol of contemporary Vietnamese luxury, where heritage and modernity meet effortlessly.
“Rivers are where Vietnam began. When we return to the water, we return to our roots.”
— Dr. Pham Ha, Founding President & CEO, LuxGroup®
LuxGroup’s Signature: Where Culture Becomes Luxury
Over two decades, LuxGroup® has reshaped Vietnamese hospitality with a simple yet profound philosophy:
Luxury Is Culture® – Delivering Happiness.
Rather than imitate global luxury standards, the group elevates Vietnamese heritage into a refined, world-class experience. Art from the Lux Art Collection®, regional cuisine, storytelling rituals, and contemporary design converge to create intimate, meaningful journeys where every detail has purpose.
Across brands such as Heritage Cruises, Emperor Cruises, and now Vietnam Waterways®, LuxGroup® specializes in small-ship boutique voyages — each crafted as a living narrative of Vietnamese culture.
Their next chapter begins in Ho Chi Minh City.
Saigon River: Vietnam’s Next Iconic Luxury Journey
Ho Chi Minh City is rapidly emerging as Asia’s most exciting waterfront metropolis. LuxGroup® is shaping this evolution through its upcoming Amiral Cruises for Presidents® fleet — a collection of Art Deco–inspired vessels designed for refined, modern river journeys.
Imagine:
• Sunset champagne voyages beneath a glowing skyline
• Fine dining reinterpreting Southern Vietnamese flavors
• Curated cultural performances from Lux Art Collection®
• Panoramic decks revealing Saigon’s shifting silhouettes
• Intimate charters for families, creatives, and global nomads
A night on the Saigon River becomes a sensory tapestry: shimmering lights, tropical breezes, whispered stories of the city, and the presence of Vietnamese art woven into every space.
But the most unforgettable moments happen when the city lights fade behind the wake.
From River to Sea: Cần Giờ – Vũng Tàu – Untouched Capes & Remote Bays
Just an hour south of Saigon lies Cần Giờ, a UNESCO-listed mangrove biosphere — one of Southeast Asia’s last remaining coastal jungles. Quiet, primal, and breathtakingly alive.
LuxGroup® is introducing river–sea expeditions that reveal this wilderness in a new way:
• Boutique hybrid vessels exploring ancient mangrove channels
• Encounters with fishing villages and river–sea culture
• Sandbank picnics and nature photography sessions
• Birdwatching and wetland biodiversity experiences
• Seamless river-to-sea cruising blending comfort and discovery
Further south, Ganh Rai Bay widens into rugged capes, lighthouses, and secluded coves leading toward Vũng Tàu — ideal for travelers seeking privacy, adventure, and high comfort in perfect balance.
This is the frontier of the modern luxury explorer: private, safe, scenic, and deeply connected to place.
Sustainability: The New Standard of Luxury
In today’s travel landscape, sustainability is not optional — it is the foundation of genuine luxury. Vietnam Waterways® embraces ESG principles as core commitments, not marketing language:
• Low-emission and hybrid-ready engines
• Advanced waste and water-treatment systems
• Employment and support for riverside communities
• Mangrove and coastal conservation partnerships
• Cultural preservation through art, cuisine, and storytelling
“True luxury is peaceful, responsible, and meaningful.”
— Dr. Pham Ha
Vietnam Waterways® 2045: A National Vision on Water
LuxGroup® envisions Vietnam Waterways® as the nation’s sovereign river–sea travel brand — the waterborne counterpart to Vietnam Airlines.
The long-term roadmap: a national network of boutique river-sea routes across Vietnam:
• Saigon → Cần Giờ → Vũng Tàu
• Saigon → Mekong Delta
• Central Vietnam lagoons and heritage ports
• Nha Trang → Cam Ranh → island bays
• Red River → Gulf of Tonkin
Each voyage carries the signature identity:
Vietnam Waterways® – Spirit of Vietnam
Conclusion
Vietnam possesses a rare natural advantage: the ability to take travelers from a global megacity, through mangrove wilderness, and out to the open sea — all in one fluid journey.
Through LuxGroup®’s vision and leadership, these waterways are being rediscovered and elevated into world-class experiences that celebrate heritage, nature, artistry, and the timeless rhythm of water.
This is more than travel.
This is Vietnam telling its story — through its rivers, its coastlines, its people, and its spirit.
A spirit that now flows freely, proudly, and luxuriously into the future.