A 150-million-year-old cave in Vietnam’s north has become the extraordinary setting for an immersive theatrical show and a fine dining celebration of hyper-local Vietnamese cuisine. On May 30 this year, Asia Premier Cruises (APC) Corporation welcomed its first guests to the 2.5-hour cave dining and entertainment experience at the majestic 4000-square-metre Dragon Pearl Cave, about a 30-minute drive from Halong City. At 45 metres above sea level, Dragon Pearl Cave is one of the largest caves in the Bai Tu Long area of Vietnam’s Cam Pha district and is surrounded by the Ban Co mountain range. One of a complex of five caves in scenic Vung Duc, the cave overlooks Bai Tu Long Bay. Locals call the cave ‘a theatre inside a mountain’ because of its two chambers and myriad stalagmites and stalactites. The experience begins with a 45-minute cultural spectacle “The Quest for the Dragon Pearl” created by director Le Thanh Phong. With stalagmites setting the stage, the show’s performers harness music, dance, acrobatics, music, dramatic lighting effects, compelling costumes, puppetry and props to bring Vietnamese folklore to life. The legend of the sacred Dragon Pearl makes for an epic journey of power, peace and the unity of heaven and earth. A preview of the show can be accessed here. After the show, guests indulge Vietnamese fine dining by candlelight amid the cavern’s surreal textures. Inspired by Dragon Pearl folklore and crafted by Head Chef Nguyen Gia Thien, the menu invites diners on a culinary pilgrimage of the local Quang Ninh Province. ‘Pomelo and giant river prawn salad’, ‘Grilled Van Don oysters with scallop sauce’ and ‘Hand-pounded Co To squid cakes’ are the trio of appetizers. The main courses include ‘Crispy roasted Tien Yen chicken’, ‘Grilled sea bass in wild dzong leaves’, ‘Lobster with Tiến Vua imperial sauce’, ‘Gat Gu rolls and braised Khau Nhuc pork’ and ‘Stir-fried asparagus with cordyceps mushroom’. The feast is rounded off with ‘Golden Dragon Pearl dessert’ and ‘Yen Tu golden flower tea’. The launch of the cave dining spectacle marked significant progress for Quang Ninh tourism, according to Nguyen Hong Nhat, general director of APC Corporation, also behind the boutique cruise line Ambassador Cruise. “‘The Quest for the Dragon Pearl’ diversifies Quang Ninh’s tourism, offering more for travellers to discover beyond famed Halong Bay and repositioning our province as a leading cultural and experiential destination,” he said. “This ancient cave is a new cultural landmark that, through storytelling, natural wonder, and refined hospitality, promotes sustainable, heritage tourism and creates lasting economic and cultural impact for Quang Ninh.” For more information about APC Corporation’s new cave dining and entertainment experience, please visit https://dragonpearlcave.com/

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Ambassador Cruise has launched a luxurious new day cruise that makes the most of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Halong Bay’s limestone karst-studded waters and key attractions such as Sung Sot Cave and Titov Island. With a remarkable two-level dining space, open-air sundeck affording 360-degree views of the bay’s limestone karst-studded waters, the leading cruise operator’s new 99-passenger capacity vessel named “Lavoya Boutique Day Cruise – By Ambassador Cruise” will bring its fleet to a total of four vessels. Cruisers get up close and personal with three of Halong Bay’s most spectacular attractions as part of the seven-hour cruise itinerary. The itinerary checks out the bay’s largest and most compelling cave, Sung Sot, home to myriad stalactites in all sorts of unique forms. Via a kayak or bamboo boat rowed by a local, passengers enter and exit stunning Luon Cave’ self-contained lake, surrounded by towering cliffs and lush vegetation, through a 100-metre long limestone arch. Afterwards cruisers visit picturesque Titov Island, swimming at its crescent moon-shaped beach and ascending some 450 steps to reach its peak and soak up panoramic views of the bay. The day cruise has a prime focus on culinary excellence, underpinned by a premium lunch buffet, vibrant Vietnamese cooking demonstration and exquisite afternoon tea service. The extensive lunch buffet showcases a diverse array of Asian and European cuisines including locally sourced seafood, beef, tuna, and other delicacies. Featuring nearly 30 dishes, the buffet’s highlights include US steak with grilled seasonal veggies, smoked tuna with green tea, hot and sour steamed mussels, crispy deep-fried prawns with chilli rock salt, stir-fried glass noodles with crab, and caramelised cinnamon pork shoulder. A seafood tower is also served to each table. As the vessel glides through Halong Bay‘s majestic limestone formations on its return to Halong International Cruise Port, the chefs stage the Vietnamese cooking demonstration and serve the elegant afternoon tea replete with fine pastries. “As our premium day cruise experience, Lavoya Boutique Day Cruise – By Ambassador Cruise will see Ambassador welcome a new dawn with even more bucket-list worthy experiences,” said Nguyen Hong Nhat, General Director of Asia Premier Cruises Corporation, which owns Ambassador Cruise. “The itinerary will guide you through Halong Bay’s most spectacular locations with excellent Vietnamese cuisine and top-notch service.” The cruise’s current itinerary, on offer during Vietnam’s winter and spring, begins with a 9am check-in at Halong International Cruise Port before transferring to the vessel. Guests disembark at the port at 4.30pm. Since launching its first vessel in 2021, Ambassador Cruise has made a name for itself as the leading luxury cruise operator on Halong Bay. It operates three other vessels; Ambassador I, Ambassador II and Ambassador Signature. Guests choose from a variety of journeys including overnight cruises of Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay, day cruises, and dinner cruises. The overnight and dinner cruises offer a “Floating Dinner” experience on their 360-degree sundecks. Ambassador Cruise is also introducing an exclusive dining experience in a private cave 40 kilometres from Halong Bay. For more information about Ambassador Cruise or to make a booking, visit ambassadorcruise.com, email info@ambassadorcruise.com or call +84 1900 3045.

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