HALONG, Vietnam, Aug. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bhaya Cruises, the leading cruise operator in Ha Long Bay, has announced its seasonal lineup, offering travelers an ideal escape into Vietnam's iconic UNESCO World Heritage site. Designed for North American travelers seeking comfort and effortless luxury, the cruise line introduces two upscale ways to experience the region this season: a restorative wellness voyage aboard Bhaya Soul, and an immersive cultural celebration aboard The Au Co.
Both options feature western amenities, state-of-the-art facilities, and access to the longest overnight cruising routes in the region to ensure a truly restful vacation.
Festive celebrations amidst the sea
For those looking to trade crowded winter resorts for a serene ocean escape, Bhaya Cruises' holiday itineraries provide an effortless festive experience. Both Bhaya Soul and The Au Co will feature exclusive programming during Christmas and New Year's Eve, allowing guests to relax completely while every detail is managed by an attentive crew.
The holiday highlights include:
- Signature Gala Dinners: Curated menus blending fresh local seafood and subtle Vietnamese culinary heritage with refined Western techniques, served in an elegant, bay-view onboard restaurant.
- Countdown & Fireworks: An unforgettable evening on the spacious sundecks, featuring music, a midnight champagne toast, and a spectacular fireworks display reflecting over the emerald bay.
- Premium Comfort: All holiday sailings provide top-tier facilities, bar and restaurant, lounge, jacuzzi, heated pool delivering the familiar comforts of a luxury hotel on the water.
The 'Soul Sanctuary' series on Bhaya Soul
Ahead of the winter holidays, Bhaya Soul caters to the growing demand for restorative travel with its exclusive Soul Sanctuary series. Intimate by design with just 20 luxurious suites, this boutique vessel treats well-being as an everyday reality. Each cabin functions as a private oasis, boasting a sun-drenched personal terrace and a private, bay-view bathtub.
Throughout October and November, guests can align their travel dates with specialized masterclasses led by resident wellness experts:
- October 12 & 29 | Sound Bath Experience: A deeply grounding session utilizing the resonant frequencies of the handpan and crystal singing bowls to release tension and restore energetic alignment.
- November 11 & 21 | Yoga and Ocean Breathwork: An exclusive retreat aligning physical movement and conscious breathing with the natural, calming rhythm of the gulf waters.
Every sailing also offers inclusive wellness treatment, such as a herbal foot ritual & wellness treatment utilizing traditional Vietnamese wellness herbs, organic kombucha setups, and a weekly Herbal Eye Sachets Workshop.
A Journey beyond the Bay
Beyond the quiet waters of Ha Long Bay, the journey continues into the tranquil riverside rhythms of Hoi An. As an exclusive special offer, guests booking a two-night Bhaya Soul voyage will receive a gifted one-night retreat at Namia River Retreat, an extension that transforms the escape into a completed journey of renewal across Vietnam.
The experience starts at US$789 per guest and includes round-trip luxury limousine transfers between Hanoi and Ha Long.
Note: Reservation and travel are valid until October 31, 2026.
Cultural immersion aboard The Au Co Cruise
For families and multi-generational travelers looking to dive deeper into regional heritage without sacrificing premium amenities, The Au Co offers the ultimate cultural expedition.
The Au Co features large ocean-view cabins, an onboard spa, and an open-air Jacuzzi deck. Inspired by legend of Vietnamese roots, its unique, extended route allows guests to safely and comfortably connect with local life, featuring guided visits to the Cua Van Floating Village, kayaking to explore the ancient limestone karst and sandy beach.
Weekly activities: cultural theme activities including Nón lá painting workshop, Bamboo mask drawing, Trôi cake making.
Booking Information: With direct flight options increasingly connecting major U.S. and Canadian hubs to Vietnam, a winter escape to Ha Long Bay has never been more accessible.
Secure your holiday via sales@bhayacruises.com or visit bhayacruises.com.
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The Ultimate Wellness Getaway in Vietnam's UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Ultimate Wellness Getaway in Vietnam's UNESCO World Heritage Site
HONG KONG, Aug. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Professor Li Wen Jung, Vice-President (Talent and International Strategy) and Chair Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), and Professor So Hing Cheung, from the Department of Electrical Engineering, have both been elected as Members of the European Academy of Engineering (EAE). They have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled micro/nano-sensing technologies and statistical signal processing and intelligent algorithms, respectively.
Professor Li is recognised for his pioneering contributions to AI, micro/nano-systems, robotics and biomedical engineering, with outstanding research achievements. He has published extensively in leading international journals and holds approximately 30 patents. In addition, he has founded start-ups to commercialise intelligent sensing and micro/nano-system technologies. These innovations have been widely applied in robotics, aerospace, sports analytics, education, infrastructure monitoring and industrial Internet of Things (IoT).
In addition to his research accomplishments, Professor Li has played a pivotal leadership role in the University's strategic development and internationalisation. He served as Associate Provost from 2018 to 2023 and currently serves as Vice-President (Talent and International Strategy), leading initiatives in global talent recruitment, international partnerships and strategic academic development. His leadership has contributed significantly to CityUHK's continuing development as a globally connected and innovation-driven university.
Professor Li has also made extensive contributions to the international engineering community. He previously served as President of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Nanotechnology Council, founding editor of two IEEE publications, and organiser of major IEEE conferences that have fostered international collaboration in nanotechnology, robotics, biomedical engineering and materials science. He is a Fellow of both the IEEE and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), a Distinguished Overseas Scholar of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, an International Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and a Member of the National Academy of Artificial Intelligence (NAAI).
Professor So, another newly elected EAE Member, has made sustained contributions to statistical signal processing and intelligent algorithms. His research has advanced the fields of sparse recovery, matrix completion, robust estimation, source localisation and federated learning. In recent years, his work has focused on enhancing the robustness and reliability of AI systems in complex environments. His pioneering research on sparsity-inducing algorithms, robust low-rank matrix recovery, and Byzantine-resilient federated learning has strengthened the theoretical foundations of AI while improving its practical reliability and secure real-world deployment.
Professor So has also actively promoted international academic collaboration. He previously served on the Signal Processing Theory and Methods Technical Committee of the IEEE Signal Processing Society and is an IEEE Fellow. This July, he was elected as a Member of the NAAI in recognition of his scholarly achievements, professional leadership and contributions to advancing AI. His election to the EAE further underscores the international recognition of his outstanding research achievements.
The election of Professor Li and Professor So to the EAE highlights the world-class research excellence of CityUHK scholars in engineering, AI and innovation. It also further strengthens the University's international standing in engineering research and innovation, underscoring CityUHK's commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research, translating research outcomes into societal impact and contributing to global technological progress.
Founded in 1992 in Gothenburg, Sweden, the EAE is an international academy. Its members are rigorously elected by their peers across 13 specialised engineering classes and comprise internationally renowned leaders and distinguished scholars from academia and industry, including Nobel Laureates, Turing Award Laureates, Fields Medalists, and recipients of other major international distinctions. Election to the EAE is regarded as one of the highest honours in the international engineering community, recognising sustained excellence in engineering research, technological innovation, education, and industrial leadership. The 2026 elected cohort comprises 147 Members. As of 5 August 2026, Professor Li was one of only four newly elected Members worldwide in the Mechanical Engineering (Materials) class. This year's newly elected Members also include eminent scholars and technology leaders such as Turing Award laureate Professor Vinton G. Cerf, and Nobel Laureate Professor Phillip A. Sharp.
Media enquiries:
Winnie Li, Communications and Institutional Research Office, CityUHK (Tel: 3442 5221)
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Two CityUHK scholars elected to the European Academy of Engineering in recognition of their internationally acclaimed research achievements
