International 5-star cruise ship guests experience Vietnam’s War Prison System with Vivu Journeys

On the afternoon of February 23rd, at Con Dao, Vivu Journeys Vietnam, a subsidiary of Thien Minh Group (TMG), continued to host nearly 200 international tourists aboard the 5-star cruise ship for an excursion to Con Dao.

In Con Dao, the tourist group participated in two types of tours: a hiking tour through the So Ray forest and a cultural and historical tour through the museum and the Con Dao prison.

The tourists on the 5-star cruise ship visit the Con Dao War Prison. Source: Vivu Journeys.

Con Dao, an archipelago off the coast of Ba Ria – Vung Tau, was once an extremely brutal prison during the war. Today, it has become a special tourist destination, attracting international visitors. The international tourists aboard the 5-star cruise ship had the opportunity to pass through the prison cells and corridors, witnessing the gruesome scenes of war. Amidst this brutality, they were shared stories of prisoners during those difficult and dark times in the past.

The 5-star cruise ship, which takes tourists here, is not only a means of transportation but also a symbol of luxury and perfection, down to the smallest detail of France. “So, the tourists see a stark contrast between their current high living standards and a part of Vietnam’s history. Their impression is, therefore, deeply profound. That is also the reason why tours to prisons are often fully booked, in Phu Quoc on March 22nd and Con Dao on February 23rd,” said Mr. Ngo Minh Chu, the tour guide for the upscale tourist group.

The tourists on the 5-star cruise ship visit Phu Quoc War Prison. Source: Vivu Journeys.

Sébastien, a history teacher from France, is one of nearly 200 tourists on the cruise ship visiting Con Dao. This time, coming back to Vietnam, he chose the tour to visit the war prison. “The tour of the museum and Con Dao prison is very impressive. I admire how the Vietnamese people pay respect to the tomb of the female hero Vo Thi Sau. War is truly cruel. This is my second time in Vietnam, and I will always have a special affection for your country,” Sébastian said after the tour.

“The main goal of this type of war prison tour is not only for international tourists to understand and feel the cruelty of war, but also a truly valuable opportunity for us as tour operators to send a message about peace and respect for the lives, of the Vietnamese people to international friends. That is the bridge that will bring us all closer together, aiming for a better world,” said Mr. Truong Ngoc Hung, the HCMC-based operations manager of Vivu Journeys.

After leaving Con Dao, the 5-star cruise ship will continue the rest of its 7-day, 6-night journey to explore Vietnam with Vivu Journeys in Ho Chi Minh City, Cai Be (Tien Giang), and Cu Chi.

Back in November 2022, other cruise ship also brought nearly 200 high-end tourists to Vietnam for sightseeing. A tour on these 5-star super cruise ships in the ultra-luxury segment could cost up to AUD 40,050. Therefore, island and mainland tour preparations must also meet the strictest requirements of tourists, Mr. Truong Ngoc Hung added.

This year, there will be at least three visits to Vietnam by this super cruise ships in March, November, and December. Destinations include Halong, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Chan May, and Con Dao, the representative of Vivu Journeys added.

Vivu Journeys Vietnam is a member of Thien Minh Group (TMG), one of the leading experiential travel companies headquartered in Asia. Vivu Journeys is committed to providing the most unique and luxurious travel experiences so that tourists from around the world can truly understand the beauty of Vietnam’s land and people.