Vietnam's Khanh Hoa eyes seaplane tourism after Ha Long service suspension

The Khanh Hoa administration has unveiled its revised provincial master plan for 2021-30 with a vision to 2050, which includes developing seaplane services as part of the province’s marine tourism strategy.

Ha Long Bay lessons

As per the plan, the province will develop marinas, international passenger ports, marine tourism services, and seaplane operations in Van Phong, Nha Trang, and Cam Ranh bays.

Pham Bich Ngoc, a senior researcher and deputy head of the Department of Macroeconomics and Enterprise Development at the Institute of Vietnam and World Economy, said seaplane services are aimed at high-end travelers willing to pay for premium aerial sightseeing experiences and shorter travel times.

Ngoc said national defense and security requirements are among the key issues that need careful consideration when adopting this tourism model.

Seaplane operations should be clearly planned, with designated operating areas to ensure tourism development does not interfere with other strategic functions.

Drawing lessons from Ha Long Bay’s closure of the same model on April 1, she said the service failed to gain long-term traction because operating costs were high while market demand remained limited, making it difficult for operators to raise fares enough to offset expenses.

She recommended that Khanh Hoa introduce the service gradually, in line with actual market demand and operators’ capacity, rather than investing on a large scale from the outset.

“Only when a comprehensive tourism ecosystem is in place can seaplane services develop sustainably,” she said.

“They should be positioned as a premium tourism experience rather than a mass transportation service.”

Experts recommend pilot phase for Khanh Hoa seaplane project

Nguyen Duc Tri, head of the Faculty of Tourism at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, said seaplane tourism requires highly trained personnel and experienced sales teams capable of attracting customers.

He said travelers are increasingly seeking immersive experiences beyond conventional sightseeing and dining, making seaplane tourism a promising niche to changing visitor preferences.

To develop the service effectively, authorities should first obtain approvals for designated operating areas and launch pilot operations in limited locations before expanding them, he said.

Nguyen Phi Hong Nguyen, vice-chairman of the Travel Association under the Khanh Hoa Tourism Association, said seaplane tourism in Vietnam continues to face regulatory challenges related to national defense and security.

If those issues are resolved, he said, seaplane tourism could become a new tourism trend and help attract more high-end visitors to Khanh Hoa.