Halong Bay (Vietnam) – September 26, 2019 (travelindex.com) – Cross Hotels and Resorts has expanded its presence in Vietnam with the signing of a hotel management contract for the X2 Vibe Halong Bay.

The agreement was signed with Halong Bay Hotel Joint Stock Company, a subsidiary of Vietnam Tourism – Hanoi JSC.

The hotel, which is expected to welcome its first guests at the end of 2023, will have over 470 guest rooms, making it one of the largest internationally renowned hotels in the region.

It is ideally located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, less than 60 km from Van Don International Airport and a few hours from Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport, which offers direct connections to 25 major destinations across Asia, with more to follow in the future.

The resort caters to both leisure travelers and MICE travelers and includes an outdoor pool, a living room-style lobby, meeting and event rooms, all-day dining and a fully equipped gym.

The 39-story X2 Vibe Halong Bay is inspired by the limestone pillars that rise from the emerald waters of the surrounding gulf. The ultramodern tower, encircled by lush greenery, forms a striking contrast to the natural splendor of its breathtaking surroundings.

Halong Bay, one of the world's most beautiful travel destinations, is a breathtaking natural wonder in northern Vietnam near the Chinese border. The bay is dotted with 1,600 limestone islands and islets and covers an area of ​​more than 1,500 square kilometers. A popular filming location, Halong Bay is renowned for its rich biodiversity and stunning scenery.

Peter Lucas, CEO of Cross Hotels and Resorts, said the new management agreement is in line with the company's mission to operate distinctive and ambitious brands for scalable and sustainable growth.

“We have a passion for developing unique commercial solutions for hotel owners and providing enriching experiences for our guests,” said Mr. Lucas.

“We are honored that the Halong Bay Hotel Joint Stock Company has entrusted us with the management of this hotel, which, after its opening in 2023, is set to become a flagship of the X2 Vibe brand,” he said.

Nguyen Ba Tien, chairman of the Halong Bay Hotel Joint Stock Company, said that Halong Bay is one of the fastest growing regions in northern Vietnam in terms of tourist numbers.

“According to the Quang Ninh provincial tourism authority, the destination welcomed 12 million visitors last year – a 24% increase compared to 2017,” he said.

“We wanted to find a partner who shares our vision of excellence – a partner who can offer a unique guest experience in this unique destination.”

“We are very pleased about the partnership with Cross Hotels & Resorts and look forward to a long and successful collaboration,” he said.

The X2 Vibe Halong Bay will be Cross Hotels & Resorts' fourth hotel in Vietnam, following the successful debut of the X2 Vibe in Viet Tri, Phu Tho Province, in August last year and the signing of contracts for the luxury hotel X2 Hoi An Resort & Residence (opening in 2020) and the Away Hoi An (opening in 2021).

Cross Hotels and Resorts currently operates 24 hotels under three different brands in Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. For more information, please visit crosshotelsandresorts.com.

About Cross Hotels & Resorts: Cross Hotels & Resorts is an international hotel management company and a wholly owned subsidiary of the ASX-listed Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG). FCTG is one of the world's largest and most advanced travel companies, offering hotel management solutions alongside diverse global distribution channels and on-site travel experiences (e.g., transportation and excursions). Cross Hotels & Resorts is part of FCTG's global hotel network and manages hotels, resorts, villas, serviced apartments, and branded residences. Cross Hotels & Resorts provides owners with comprehensive services – from initial project development and technical support during the construction phase to pre-opening services and professional, ongoing hotel management.