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Recently, representatives of Hai Au Aviation (HAA) officially announced the cessation of seaplane sightseeing tours of Ha Long Bay starting in early April. This decision comes as the company undergoes restructuring and strategic direction changes after more than a decade of operating this unique tourism product.
The withdrawal of Hai Au Aviation is considered a significant event for Quang Ninh's tourism industry. Since its establishment in 2011, HAA had persistently built a high-end tourism product, symbolizing the innovation of service infrastructure in Vietnam. The first commercial flight connecting Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi) to Ha Long Bay in September 2014 opened a new chapter, allowing tourists to admire the majestic beauty of thousands of limestone islands from a completely different perspective.
A Cessna Caravan C208B-EX seaplane of Hai Au Airlines glides over the waters of Ha Long Bay.
This is a modern aircraft equipped with specialized floating pontoons, allowing for flexible takeoffs and landings on the sea surface.
Throughout its operations, Hai Au Aviation has relied on the Cessna Caravan C208B-EX as its aircraft. This is a modern aircraft manufactured in the USA, renowned for its durability and maneuverability. The most distinctive feature of this seaplane is the two large floating pontoons installed under the fuselage, allowing the aircraft to take off and land safely directly on the water in the Tuan Chau Island area and the bay.
To ensure stringent aviation safety standards, each seaplane is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment such as weather radar, global GPS navigation, and storm tracking systems. With a maximum capacity of 14 people (including 12 passengers and 2 pilots), each scenic flight typically lasts about 25 minutes at an altitude of 500m to 3,000m. From this ideal altitude, visitors can take in the panoramic view of the undulating rocky islands and the emerald green waters of Ha Long Bay – a luxurious experience that is difficult to replicate with any other mode of transportation.
A panoramic view of the world's natural wonder, seen from an altitude of 500 meters through the seaplane window.
The suspension of seaplane operations follows the temporary suspension of helicopter sightseeing tours of Ha Long Bay since 2023. Therefore, from April 1st, 2026 onwards, aerial sightseeing tours – a "specialty" for high-end customers and international tourists in Quang Ninh – will be completely absent.
Before the announcement of the suspension of flights, the price for a 25-minute sightseeing tour was maintained at approximately 1.6 million VND for domestic tourists and 2 million VND for international tourists. In addition, private charter services or direct flights from Hanoi to Ha Long, priced from 9 million VND, were always popular choices for travelers seeking privacy and time savings.
After more than a decade, Seagull Aviation will conclude its mission of connecting heritage from the skies and transition to a new business direction.
Currently, many travel experts and tourists still express hope for a new form of experience or the return of scenic flights in the future with a more sustainable model. However, at the moment, the news of seaplanes ceasing operations has created a huge wave of searches on social media platforms and travel forums.
For travelers planning a visit to this heritage site this March, this may be the last chance to capture precious moments from the cockpit of a Cessna Caravan. After April 1st, the panoramic view of Ha Long Bay from thousands of meters above sea level will only be available as documentary footage and beautiful memories for fans of this world wonder.
