Ho Chi Minh City proposes allowing international passenger ships to dock at Cai Mep - Thi Vai port

VTV.vn - A proposal to pilot receiving international passenger ships at Cai Mep - Thi Vai port aims to remove obstacles for travel businesses and meet the increasing demand for receiving passengers by sea.

Ship carrying 4,500 international passengers arriving at Cai Mep New Port in 2024. Photo: Phong Nguyen

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism has just reported to the City People's Committee to propose allowing a pilot program to receive international passenger ships in the Cai Mep - Thi Vai area until the end of December 2026, to ensure that passenger pick-up and drop-off activities take place safely, conveniently and meet the rapidly growing demand of cruise tourism.

According to the Department of Tourism, recently many international travel agencies and shipping agents have petitioned the City to consider allowing international passenger ships to dock at Cai Mep – Thi Vai port, instead of having to anchor at other ports far from the center, causing difficulties in picking up and dropping off passengers. Allowing the pilot not only creates favorable conditions for businesses but also helps management agencies have more basis for practical assessment to complete procedures for adding port functions to serve tourism during the official operation phase.

Statistics from the Department of Tourism show that the Cai Mep – Thi Vai area is becoming a familiar destination for international cruise lines. In 2024, the area welcomed 65 cruises with about 287,000 passengers; in 2025, it is expected to have 48 cruises with about 180,000 passengers, mainly large-scale luxury cruise ships with long schedules. To date, 118 cruises have registered to dock in 2026, with a total of more than 260,000 international passengers.

According to travel agencies, cruise tourism is a segment with high spending power, often associated with short day tours to Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring localities such as Vung Tau and My Tho. However, the current infrastructure for receiving passenger ships is still limited, while ports in the city center such as Nha Rong - Khanh Hoi have changed their functions, forcing passenger ship reception activities to temporarily move to the old Ba Ria - Vung Tau area.

The Department of Tourism said it is coordinating with the Ho Chi Minh City Maritime Port Authority and relevant authorities to ensure the reception of international passenger ships takes place safely and in accordance with regulations, while promoting the development of sea tourism - one of the City's priorities in the coming period.

Source: https://vtv.vn/tp-ho-chi-minh-de-xuat-cho-tau-khach-quoc-te-cap-cang-cai-mep-thi-vai-100251017145629354.htm