From MICE delegations exceeding 1,000 delegates and multi-day international destination weddings to preparations for hosting world-class sporting events, FLC Ha Long is steadily expanding its footprint in the global inbound tourism market. In an exclusive interview with Wanderlust, Mr. Vinayak Razdan, General Manager of FLC Ha Long, reflects on the operational requirements behind large-scale events and outlines how the resort is gearing up to capture new international feeder markets.
Could you share the most notable shifts you have observed in Ha Long’s inbound tourism market?
The most noticeable shift, in my view, lies in the diversification of travel motivations. International guests no longer visit Ha Long solely for leisure or sightseeing around the Bay; their trips are increasingly driven by corporate conferences, incentive programs, golf retreats, or milestone family celebrations.
In 2026 alone, FLC Ha Long welcomed over 25 delegations from India and more than 20 from China, alongside guests from South Korea, Australia, and Pakistan. Notably, many of these groups ranged from several hundred to over 1,000 delegates, bringing highly specific event programs and service expectations.
This evolution requires us to develop a deeper understanding of each market. Global travelers cannot be treated as a monolith; every market, and indeed every individual delegation, has its own distinct expectations.
FLC Ha Long has hosted large MICE groups of over 1,000 delegates. In your view, what is the single biggest operational challenge at this scale?
I have always maintained that hosting 1,000 guests and delivering flawless service to 1,000 guests are two entirely different endeavors.
The Anand Rathi Wealth Annual Offsite, which gathered over 1,000 delegates, is a prime case in point. At this magnitude, the challenge extends far beyond room inventory or ballroom capacity: it demands seamless, cross-departmental synchronization.
From arrivals, check-in logistics, and room allocations to conference sessions, banqueting, and side activities, every moving part must execute according to a unified operational master plan. Even a slight itinerary shift can send ripples across multiple departments.
Furthermore, managing large-scale international delegations requires a high degree of personalization. For instance, within a single Indian group, we may concurrently cater to Vegetarian, Non-Vegetarian, and strictly Jain dietary requirements. These nuances must be factored into the operational blueprint from day one.
Beyond MICE, FLC Ha Long also hosts grand international destination weddings. How do these two segments differ in terms of operational demands?
MICE demands precision, seamless coordination, and strict schedule control. Destination Weddings, on the other hand, place a much higher premium on bespoke personalization and deep cultural empathy.
Each year, FLC Ha Long hosts around 30 to 50 weddings. Notably, in January 2025 and March 2026, we had the honor of hosting two multi-day celebrations for high-profile Indian families, each extending over four to five days.
As an Indian myself, I recognize that there is no single “Indian Wedding template.” Every family upholds distinct rituals, traditions, and expectations.
While we collaborate closely with event planners on concept development, design, and staging, our resort team manages accommodation, F&B, banqueting, and ground logistics. The key is ensuring that every operational unit thoroughly understands the family’s specific priorities so the celebration unfolds exactly as envisioned.
How has FLC Ha Long equipped itself to serve markets with highly specialized cultural requirements?
We firmly believe that cultural understanding must be backed by concrete operational capabilities.
FLC Ha Long boasts an international management team, including a Malaysian Deputy General Manager alongside skilled Vietnamese and Indian chefs. This culinary diversity enables us to authentically execute specialized cuisines, particularly for the Indian market.
For Muslim travelers, the resort was officially awarded Halal Certification by the GHC in July 2026 and operates a dedicated, independent Halal kitchen. This marks a vital strategic step in serving Muslim delegations with strict adherence to halal principles.
To me, international standards do not mean applying a one-size-fits-all approach to every guest. Rather, it means maintaining an unwavering benchmark of quality while flexibly adapting to distinct cultural needs.
How is FLC Ha Long proactively driving inbound market expansion rather than relying solely on existing demand?
We combine destination capability building with proactive market outreach.
In the Indian market, FLC Hotels & Resorts has deepened its B2B outreach through key trade platforms such as OTM Mumbai and Melange. These forums allow us to engage directly with travel agencies, DMCs, corporate clients, and event planners to understand their evolving needs.
Alongside MICE and Destination Weddings, golf represents another high-potential driver. On August 5, 2026, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Ninh Province, FLC Group, and the World Amateur Golfers Championship (WAGC) Organising Committee signed a Memorandum of Understanding to host the WAGC World Final 2027 in Quang Ninh.
A world-class golf championship draws not only players, but also families, organizers, and corporate partners who combine tournament play with extended leisure stays.
Looking ahead, what factors will determine FLC Ha Long’s competitive edge in the global arena?
While physical infrastructure provides the foundation, operational agility and adaptability ultimately determine long-term service quality.
We will continue to focus on our core drivers: MICE, Destination Weddings, golf, and Halal-conscious travel markets. To expand our event hosting choices, we recently launched the Sky Ballroom on the 21st floor, accommodating up to 500 guests.
However, attracting major international delegations requires more than the efforts of a single hotel; it hinges on destination-wide synergy, including flight connectivity, transport logistics, MICE infrastructure, and local tourism coordination.
For FLC Ha Long, every international delegation is an opportunity to refine our processes and elevate our team’s expertise. We aim to stay thoroughly prepared so that whenever opportunities emerge in new global markets, we are fully equipped to welcome them.
Thank you, Mr. Vinayak Razdan, for this insightful conversation!
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