Exploiting the "Gold Mine" of Vietnam's cruise tourism: Need for a synchronous investment strategy

According to experts, to exploit the "gold mine" of cruise tourism, the tourism industry needs a comprehensive plan including investment in specialized ports, improving service quality, training human resources, and promoting international promotion.

From Ha Long to Nha Trang, luxury cruise ships dock one after another, carrying thousands of international tourists.

Along with the trend of high-end resorts and the sharp increase in spending, cruise tourism is becoming a potential “gold mine” of the Vietnamese tourism industry. However, to fully exploit this source of profit, the tourism industry needs a synchronous investment strategy, aiming at international standards.

According to the General Statistics Office ( Ministry of Finance ), in the first three quarters of 2025, the number of international visitors to Vietnam reached more than 15.4 million, an increase of 21.5% over the same period; of which, visitors arriving by sea reached 190,600, accounting for 1.2% of international visitors and an increase of 15.1% over the previous period.

These figures reflect the strong recovery of the tourism industry, especially the cruise segment with great potential and much room for development.

While the cruise season used to be bustling only from October to April of the following year, now the number of visitors comes almost all year round. This shows that Vietnam is gradually asserting its position on the cruise tourism map of the region.

In Quang Ninh , since the beginning of the year, the locality has welcomed 25 international cruise ships, many of which returned multiple times with an average of more than 1,000 passengers per trip.

It is expected that by the end of the year, the number may increase by 40 trips; including luxury cruise ships such as Viking Orion, Silver Muse, Celebrity Solstice, Silver Whisper.

Not only Quang Ninh, Da Nang and Khanh Hoa also witnessed strong growth. In early October this year, Da Nang welcomed two ships, Adora Mediterranea and Star Voyager, carrying nearly 3,700 international passengers to Tien Sa port, creating a bustling atmosphere.

In Khanh Hoa, in the first 9 months of 2025, tourist ports welcomed nearly 2.3 million passengers by waterway, approaching the 2.7 million passenger mark for the whole year of 2024.

Experts assess that Vietnam possesses many advantages to develop cruise tourism, with more than 3,260 km of coastline, more than 4,000 islands and bays, many beautiful natural ports, and located on a bustling Asian shipping route.

According to Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Director of the Institute for Tourism Development Research, with this strategic location, if there is a reasonable exploitation strategy and proper investment, Vietnam can completely become a regional cruise tourism center.

However, to achieve that goal, the tourism industry needs a master plan, including investment in specialized ports, improving service quality, training human resources and promoting internationally.

Along with that, many domestic enterprises have also proactively innovated to stay ahead of the trend. Paradise Vietnam, a business specializing in luxury cruises and hotels, has expanded its cruise itinerary, exploiting new routes such as Me Cung Cave, Tung Sau Pearl Village on the Paradise Legacy cruise, helping tourists connect more deeply with local life in Quang Ninh. Besides traditional tours to visit Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go, tourists have more options for longer itineraries such as Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave, Ti Top Island, or experience sleeping overnight in the quiet, fresh space of Ha Long Bay.

Quang Ninh attracts many international cruise ships to visit Ha Long Bay. (Photo: VNA)

The representative of this business said that the current tourism trend is not just "sightseeing" but has shifted to "experience" so that tourists can enjoy a complete journey, blending relaxation, culture and cuisine. Many cruise ships are designed as a "living space" on the sea. Tourists can watch the sunrise in the middle of the bay, enjoy fine-dining, relax in the jacuzzi, or join a class to make pillow cakes, enjoy Vietnamese afternoon tea... Indigenous culture is also incorporated into every detail from space, music to costumes, creating a journey with a strong Vietnamese imprint.

“A cruise with high safety standards, professional service staff, and unique cultural activities will win the sympathy and retain tourists,” said a representative of Paradise Vietnam.

These unique experiences are leaving a deep impression on visitors. Many visitors say that watching the sunset in the middle of the bay, enjoying exquisite Vietnamese cuisine and cultural exchange right on the boat is an unforgettable experience, making them want to come back.

To retain and attract more tourists, experts say Vietnam needs to soon invest in a specialized port system for luxury ships, simplify entry procedures, and develop more night tourism and cultural and historical tourism products to extend the length of stay and increase spending.

Mr. Vu The Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, said that coastal localities need to approach cruise tourism in a sustainable way, combining the development of inland waterway ports, coastal resort infrastructure and inter-regional tourism routes, so that tourists not only come once but also come back to explore many different destinations.

Vietnam’s cruise tourism is on the right track, from attracting large ships to nurturing the need for domestic and foreign tourists to experience. If infrastructure, services and promotion are invested synchronously, the image of cruise ships anchored in Ha Long Bay, Nha Trang or Phu Quoc will soon become a symbol of a modern, friendly and unique Vietnam, where each voyage is a memorable experience, carrying the spirit of the nation reaching out to the sea./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/khai-thac-mo-vang-du-lich-tau-bien-viet-nam-can-chien-luoc-dau-tu-dong-bo-post1074404.vnp