HCMC – Quang Ninh Province is set to receive thousands of international cruise passengers during the Lunar New Year holiday (Tet), as six luxury cruise ships are scheduled to call at local ports between January 29 and February 9 of the lunar calendar, or February 16–25.
According to provincial authorities, the cruise ships will bring visitors mainly from Europe and Hong Kong during the peak Tet holiday period. On the first day of the Lunar New Year on February 17, the Quang Ninh Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will host a ceremony to welcome the first international arrivals of the year.
The Bahamas-flagged Adora Mediterranea will visit Quang Ninh on three occasions—on the last day of the lunar year and again on the fourth and ninth days of Tet—carrying around 2,000 European passengers on each call.
Two cruise ships, Seabourn Encore and Piano Land, are scheduled to arrive on the first day of Tet, bringing a total of about 2,600 tourists from Europe and Hong Kong. The Le Jacques Cartier will arrive on the third day of Tet with around 300 European visitors, while the Silver Nova is expected to dock on the eighth day of the holiday.
Looking ahead, Quang Ninh expects to receive between 70 and 90 cruise ship calls in 2026, with total cruise passenger numbers estimated at 100,000 to 150,000.
The province has identified cruise tourism as a key growth segment and is upgrading tourism products and services to cater to high-spending travelers. Short, flexible shore excursions have been developed, including Halong tours, visits to the provincial museum and library, local culinary experiences, and cultural and spiritual attractions.
Quang Ninh is also strengthening links between major destinations such as Tuan Chau, Van Don, and five-star resorts to offer integrated travel packages with diversified experiences.
Authorities said continued investment in port infrastructure and standardized reception procedures is critical to positioning Quang Ninh as a regular stop on international cruise itineraries.
In 2025, the province welcomed 21.28 million tourists, up 12% from 2024. International arrivals reached 4.5 million, a year-on-year increase of 18.4%. Tourism revenue exceeded VND57 trillion.
For 2026, Quang Ninh aims to attract 22 million visitors, including around 5.2 million international tourists, and generate at least VND65 trillion in tourism revenue.
