Quang Ninh: Ideal destination for cruise ships

  Although the cruise tourism season (from October to April) has passed, Quang Ninh has continuously become a destination for international cruise ships. With synchronous transport infrastructure, attractive tourism products and the continuous efforts of all levels, sectors and units to turn Quang Ninh into a cruise tourism center of Vietnam and the region.

Quang Ninh provincial leaders warmly welcomed the first Japanese cruise ship to dock at Ha Long International Passenger Port in late April 2025.

On April 30, the Pacific World cruise ship, managed and operated by Peace Boat Company (Japan), brought about 1,700 tourists (mostly Japanese tourists) to Quang Ninh. Immediately after the ship docked at Ha Long International Passenger Port, Quang Ninh province organized a welcoming ceremony for the group with a lion dance performance and flowers. Mr. Yoshioka Tatsuya, Director of the Japanese Travel Company, said: When the ship docked, we were very excited because the scenery of the World Natural Heritage Ha Long Bay was so beautiful, the weather was very favorable. I see that Quang Ninh, Vietnam is constantly developing. I am very happy to receive your warm welcome and I also hope that between Vietnam and Japan there will be a closer and more developed relationship, there will be more delegations coming to Vietnam in general and Quang Ninh in particular.

According to the program, tourists on the Pacific World ship will visit and experience some tourist attractions in Ha Long City and Dong Trieu City, such as: Ha Long Bay, Provincial Museum, Ha Long I Market, Vincom Plaza Halong, Queen Cable Car, Yen Duc Village... To welcome the group of tourists on the ship, especially during peak tourist season, Quang Ninh province carefully prepares infrastructure conditions, port facilities, entry procedures, creating the most favorable conditions for tourists to visit and experience according to the schedule. Ms. Hiraizumi Shiori (Shizuoka City, Japan) shared: In the schedule, we visited Ha Long market and enjoyed the city tour. The scenery is very beautiful and the people are friendly. I explored many famous tourist attractions of Quang Ninh and shared them with everyone at home. I hope to return to Vietnam with my friends and relatives.

During the voyage, the Pacific World ship departed from Yokohama Port (Japan) to a number of ports and tourist destinations, including Ha Long City. This is also the first time Quang Ninh province has welcomed a group of tourists by ship in the form of a charter (chartering the entire trip) bringing tourists from Japan to Ha Long, opening up opportunities to promote cruise ship routes connecting Japanese ports with Quang Ninh, a positive signal from one of the key international tourist markets of Quang Ninh tourism, a potential market with high-paying customers.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh, Vice Chairwoman of Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee, said: Pacific World ship brings tourists to Quang Ninh for the first time, marking an important milestone for the tourism industry after the efforts of the government and business community in negotiating, connecting, and preparing very carefully and persistently to make Ha Long a regular destination for cruise lines in general and Japan in particular. This event continues to open a new milestone for Quang Ninh tourism as the area that welcomes the most cruise ships in Vietnam. Although the cruise tourism season has passed, this year cruise ships arrive continuously and periodically in May, June, even during the rainy season, showing that local tourism is increasingly attractive and attracting more tourists.

Convenient transport infrastructure and ports make Quang Ninh an ideal destination for cruise ships.

From 2024 to now, cruise tourism activities in Quang Ninh have shown many signs of improvement, the number of cruise tourists has increased and become vibrant again. In 2025, it is expected that there will be about 70 cruise ships with nearly 90,000 international tourists from many markets in Europe, America, Australia, Northeast Asia... registered to dock at Ha Long International Passenger Port, an increase of about 30% compared to 2024. In addition to the luxury cruise ships that have come and returned to Ha Long many times, such as: Celebrity Solstice, Mein Schiff 6, Westerdam..., this year there are many new cruise ships such as: Brilliant Lady, Luminara, Pacific World... planning to bring tourists to visit and experience destinations in Quang Ninh.

Since the beginning of the year, Quang Ninh has welcomed 28 cruise ships with over 41,100 tourists. This is the result of the proactive efforts of the Quang Ninh Tourism Industry to connect and work with cruise lines, with innovative policies, creating favorable conditions to attract this special type of tourist. It is forecasted that in the following years, the number of cruise ship passengers to Ha Long will increase by about 15-20% with the regular appearance of major cruise lines.

Cruise ship tourists are busy preparing to visit tourist attractions in Quang Ninh.

Quang Ninh province is increasingly asserting its great competitive advantage in the domestic and regional cruise tourism market share. The government in general and the tourism industry in particular are determined to improve infrastructure, develop specific tourism products for cruise passengers, and renew destinations to retain and increase tourist spending. Along with that,   Innovate promotional and advertising programs abroad; work and sign cooperation agreements with reputable domestic and foreign travel businesses; organize to welcome delegations of domestic and international travel businesses and KOLs to survey and promote Quang Ninh tourism; develop tourism programs and product packages to serve customers... From there, soon realize the goal of successfully attracting 20 million visitors to visit and travel, including about 4.5 million international visitors, contributing to exceeding the target of the province's GRDP growth of over 14%.

Hoang Quynh

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/quang-ninh-diem-den-ly-tuong-cua-cac-chuyen-tau-bien-3356653.html