LuxGroup’s Founder Pham Ha: I Have the Dream of Cruising
I am Pham Ha, the founding chairman and CEO of LuxGroup, renowned for spearheading luxury tourism and promoting Vietnamese culture globally through an array of comprehensive travel services available in six languages. LuxGroup encompasses Lux Travel DMC, Luxury Travel, Luxtransco (a luxury car service), Vietnam’s most luxurious cruise line Lux Cruisess’s Emperor Cruises, and Heritage Binh Chuan, offering exceptional experiences in destinations like Nha Trang, Ha Long, and Cat Ba.
Over the past 20 years, LuxGroup, under my leadership, has earned 20 tourism awards, significantly contributing to elevating the image of Vietnamese tourism and heritage worldwide. Our commitment has attracted heritage enthusiasts to Vietnam, allowing them to explore, learn, cherish, honor, and relish the cultural richness.
Notably, Lux Travel DMC, a wholly private travel agency in Vietnam, clinched the prestigious “World Travel Oscar” the leading luxury travel award at the World Travel Awards 2023—an extraordinary achievement for both LuxGroup and Vietnam’s tourism industry.
My educational journey began with a degree in French and English Education from Hanoi National University in 1997, followed by studies in Business Administration at the National Economics University, culminating in my diploma in 2002.
In 2015, I co-founded Emperor Cruises (formerly Lux Cruises Group), operating in prominent Vietnamese locations such as Nha Trang, Bai Tu Long Bay, Ha Long, and Lan Ha Bay. Emperor Cruises was honored as the best luxury cruise in Vietnam by the Luxury Lifestyle Awards (USA) and obtained ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications for environmental and safety standards, along with several domestic and international accolades.
In 2019, I established Heritage Cruises, introducing Vietnam’s largest overnight yacht operating in Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay. Heritage Cruises received the Best Cruise Award at the Vietnam Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2020 (USA).
In 2022, LuxCoop was formed, engaging in agriculture, travel, agritourism, real estate, resort accommodations, yachts, superyachts, art auctions, and philanthropic projects aimed at poverty alleviation.
Expanding further in 2023, LuxGroup introduced the LuxMICE brand, Secret Hideaways Collection, Adventura Travel, SoLux, and Lux X Signatures, pioneering innovative luxury experiential travel products.
Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, LuxGroup is planning to launch LUX Hotels and Resorts, The Lux Yachts Collection (including LUX SPIRIT and PRESIDENT), aiming to fulfill customers’ highly personalized requirements. Our overarching mission draws inspiration from Bach Thai Buoi, aiming to revive heritage and introduce new iconic yacht products along Vietnam’s coastline, echoing the legacy of coastal voyages from Ha Long to Saigon.
With three decades of expertise in luxury travel, LuxGroup and I have garnered numerous national and international tourism awards, establishing ourselves as foremost experts in Vietnam’s luxury travel sector. I proudly serve as a permanent member of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA/VISTA) and provide advisory services to the Department of Tourism (VNAT) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
Additionally, I frequently participate as a speaker at global travel exhibitions across 70 countries on five continents and have been featured in esteemed publications like BBC, Forbes, Robb Report, TTG ASIA, Travel and Leisure, among others.
