DFP World and Tropics Duty-Free to revamp Vietnam’s only cruise port duty-free at Halong Bay

“We’re creating a trusted, secure and tariff-free platform for global brands to engage with Chinese and regional travellers,” says DFP World Operation Manager for Indochina Chien Anh Le.

May 7, 2025 - 12:37

VIETNAM. DFP World, a travel retailer and distributor specialising in boutique duty-free, has come together with its Quảng Ninh-based affiliate Tropics Duty-Free for the redevelopment of Vietnam’s only cruise port duty-free store licensed to sell liquors, tobacco, perfumes and cosmetics tax and duty free.

It is located within the International Cruise Terminal at Halong Bay.

The project follows structural and commercial damages sustained during Super Typhoon Yagi in September 2024, which underscored the need for a next-generation retail upgrade aligned with international standards.

The relaunch aims to restore full operational capacity while responding to growing cross-border demand from Chinese travellers and international cruise passengers.

**DFP World Operation Manager for Indochina Chien Anh Le: “We’re creating a trusted, secure and tariff-free platform for global brands”**

Spearheaded by CEO Nguyễn Thị Ngọc, Tropics Duty-Free manages duty-free locations in Halong Bay and along the Vietnam-China border. The Halong Bay store – accessible through international bus and railway links – will be the first site to undergo transformation as part of a broader regional expansion strategy.

The store, strategically positioned to serve both high-volume business and leisure tourism traffic, benefits from Halong Bay’s more than 4 million annual visitors. According to DFP World, the store has one of the highest visitor-to-buyer conversion rates in Vietnam and the wider Indochina region.

The upgraded 500sq m space will dedicate 65% to high-demand categories such as perfumes, cosmetics and tobacco.

“This investment is part of a clear vision to consolidate our role as a regional gateway for premium retail,” said DFP World Operation Manager for Indochina Chien Anh Le. “We’re creating a trusted, secure and tariff-free platform for global brands to engage with Chinese and regional travellers.”

Once reopened, the store will feature exclusive brand partnerships, a refined luxury layout, curated offerings for international shoppers and dynamic marketing tailored to cross-border behaviour.

DFP World aims to set a benchmark for cruise port-based duty-free retail across Southeast Asia.

The Halong Bay terminal project marks the first phase of DFP World and Tropics Duty-Free’s expansion strategy, with further developments planned across the Vietnamese northern trade corridor to support long-term retail growth beyond traditional airport and land-border locations.

Chien Anh Le concluded: “We are committed to building a modern, resilient network that serves both brand partners and travellers across Asia. This is about much more than renovation – it’s about raising the bar for the entire category.”