If it seems that Vietnam is still a blank spot on the map of Southeast Asia and surrounded by a somewhat mysterious dogma that yachting in the country is not possible or available, think again. There are about 200 registered yachts under the Vietnam flag and in the last 10 years, dozens of foreign-flagged yachts and superyachts have visited.
In addition, a large fleet of vessels offers day trips and mini cruises. Although not classified as yachts but as passenger or tourist boats, their purpose comes close to the definition of yachting.
The Ministry of Transport of Vietnam is rolling out a five-year ‘Yacht Management Project’ for yachting to become a signature tourism service by 2030. The objective of this pilot scheme, coordinated by the Vietnamese Maritime Administration, is to expand cooperation with international brands to supply and provide yachts and yachting services, with a focus on encouraging the private sector. Below are some of the key needs being officially examined, to help make this happen.
DEFINITIONS
The first step is to set the definition for yachts and yachting in the National Maritime Code. When I needed to register one of the first sailboats in Vietnam for my new charter business in 2009, a Corsair 750 Sprint trimaran, they asked what the purpose of this boat was going to be.
“Just to sail around Nha Trang Bay for fun,” was my answer. That appeared to be a problem, as “fun” was not on the list of possible purposes. As fishing or transporting cargo were not part of our operation plan, we settled on a passenger boat.
ESTABLISHING ZONES
The long coastline offers many benefits for the Vietnamese economy, but it also makes Vietnam vulnerable, so the navy, coastguard and immigration authority want to control territorial waters. Establishing zones for yachting activities will create clarity for all involved and make it easier to focus on developing yachting services and facilities.
I took a delegation of governmental and military officials on a survey trip to define the area in which I was allowed to sail. It was enjoyable – we did this on one of the Coast Guard patrol boats – but also a bit funny as we cruised to waypoints in the middle of the sea to confirm there were no objections to sail there.
MOORING AREAS
When I was project manager of Ana Marina, located in Nha Trang and the country’s first marina, there were no clear rules and regulations for marina design and construction. So, it was developed in accordance with international standards and that made it easier to get the required permits, although it took a long time.
It helped to put marina development on the radar of the authorities, with the result that berthing and mooring will also become regulated, which is expected to offer more opportunities rather than restrictions.
Building marinas and infrastructure for yachting is necessary for further realising its potential. The reason I became Area Director for Marinetek in Southeast Asia is to help build strong, safe and durable marinas.
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
For yachts under the Vietnam flag, as well as those under foreign flags, operating requirements will contribute to the professionalisation of yachting operations and increase the standards and quality of services.
For our charter fleet, we bought a 36ft catamaran in Hong Kong in 2010 and sailed it to Vietnam under a Hong Kong flag. When we arrived in Vietnam and registered the boat there, I could no longer skipper so I often joined as a passenger to watch my Vietnamese captain operate the boat.
Luckily, we had a good team of smart young guys and girls who became capable sailors in a relatively short time, as we chartered over 300 days a year.
RESPONSIBLE YACHTING
This will probably become some sort of Code of Conduct for yacht owners, crew and passengers that is a helpful tool in a country where yachting does not have the same historical background as somewhere in Europe. It should lead to a safe, clean and pleasant environment, where everyone can enjoy yachting at its best in a unique yachting destination in Asia.
It has taken 15 years for this breakthrough in the development of yachting in Vietnam to finally happen after years of pioneering and challenging entrepreneurship in this sector.
Over the last few years, several professional yacht dealers and brokers have been established, more and bigger boats are being sold, more crew are being trained, and more mooring and berthing facilities are being built. Having a long-term vision for success makes a sustainable foundation for Vietnam to paint its contours on the map.
RUURD VAN PUTTEN
Moving from the Netherlands to Vietnam in 2007, Van Putten has over 30 years of yachting and marina industry experience. A pioneer and entrepreneur in this emerging market, he founded the country’s first yacht sales, charter and management company and consultancy to provide expertise for marinas, yacht clubs and management. In 2021, he became Southeast Asia Area Director for Marinetek, a marina and floating solutions specialist.
This article was first seen on YachtStyle.com.
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