A Four-Century Maritime Legacy and the Spirit of the Eastern Seas

In Vietnam, the appreciation of the yachting lifestyle and the emergence of modern marinas are not recent developments. Rather, they represent the continuation of a maritime heritage that began more than four centuries ago.

In the late sixteenth century, recognising the strategic importance of the East Sea, Lord Nguyễn Hoàng (1525–1613) opened the ports of central Vietnam to international maritime trade, transforming the region into a vital gateway along the major sea routes of Asia.

Under the successive Nguyễn Lords, the trading port of Hội An, historically known as Faifo, entered its golden age and established itself as one of Southeast Asia's most important international commercial ports.

Merchant vessels from Japan arrived carrying ceramics and silver; Chinese trading ships brought silk and tea; while Portuguese and Dutch merchants of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) transported goods, weapons, and commercial networks that linked Asia with the wider world. These vessels gathered in Hội An, where trade flourished and diverse maritime cultures converged, creating one of the region's most vibrant international ports.

Vietnam's maritime journey has never ceased. Instead, it has continually evolved to embrace higher standards of navigation, hospitality, and coastal development.

Today, the modern marinas emerging along Vietnam's coastline are far more than places to berth luxury yachts. They represent the contemporary expression of the nation's historic harbour heritage—reimagined as destinations where elegance, tranquillity, and world-class maritime experiences come together.