Traditional junks return to Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, stir memories, tourism hopes
Traditional three-sail junks once familiar to generations of Vietnamese through school textbooks have reappeared in Ha Long Bay, northern Quang Ninh Province, drawing attention from residents and visitors and marking a rare return of a sailboat long absent from the UNESCO-listed site.
A traditional red three-sail junk, once familiar to generations of Vietnamese through school textbooks but rarely seen in real life for around three decades, sails in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam, February 2026. Photo: Supplied
The boats, featuring bat-wing-shaped sails dyed in dark tones and newly built versions in deep red, have recently been seen sailing near the shore of the bay.
The design was once commonly used by fishermen in Ha Long Bay’s old floating villages but disappeared from daily use decades ago.
It has since been seen mainly in museum displays, including at the Quang Ninh Museum.
A traditional red three-sail junk, once familiar to generations of Vietnamese through school textbooks but rarely seen in real life for around three decades, sails in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam, February 2026. Photo: Supplied
According to the Quang Ninh Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the boats were built by the province’s only remaining craftsman specializing in three-panel junks and were designed based on historical models from the Quang Yen area.
The boats were widely used in Ha Long Bay in the 1990s but later fell out of operation.
A traditional red three-sail junk, once familiar to generations of Vietnamese through school textbooks but rarely seen in real life for around three decades, sails in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam, February 2026. Photo: Supplied
Three of the red-sailed boats are currently operating near the shoreline as part of a program along Ha Long Bay, which runs from February 14 to February 22.
Tourism workers in the area say the boats were once a distinctive image of the bay and helped attract repeat visitors.
Traditional red three-sail junks, once familiar to generations of Vietnamese through school textbooks but rarely seen in real life for around three decades, sail in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam, February 2026. Photo: Supplied
Local authorities say the reintroduction of the traditional sailboats aligns with efforts to link tourism development with cultural heritage and enhance visitor experiences on the bay.
After the Lunar New Year holiday, which lasts through late February, 10 sailboats are expected to be put into service, offering near-shore sightseeing, photo opportunities, and activities linked to local fishing village culture.
Bao Anh - Nguyen Hien / Tuoi Tre News
Link nội dung: https://news.tuoitre.vn/traditional-junks-return-to-vietnams-ha-long-bay-stir-memories-tourism-hopes-103260211104222013.htm