HCMC – Vietnam’s cruise tourism gathers pace as thousands arrive at key tourist destinations during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.
The northern province of Quang Ninh set a vibrant tone on February 17, the first day of the Lunar New Year as the Halong International Passenger Port welcomed two luxury vessels with nearly 2,400 international tourists onboard.
During the Tet holiday, the province expects a total of five major cruise ships, including the Seabourn Encore, Le Jacques Cartier and Silver Nova. This year, Halong is expected to host 88 cruise ship arrivals with approximately 150,000 passengers, primarily from the U.S., Europe and China.
Chan May Port in the central city of Hue inaugurated its Lunar New Year season with the Adora Mediterranea from Guangzhou (China), carrying over 2,600 passengers. Following a strong 2025, the port anticipates doubling its traffic in 2026 to 88 cruise ship arrivals and 260,000 visitors. Meanwhile, Danang City’s Tien Sa Port welcomed the Seabourn Encore on February 19 with over 1,000 guests on board. The city forecasts an 11% increase in cruise vessel arrivals this year, targeting over 64,000 passengers.
Positive signals were also recorded in other regions. Quy Nhon Port in Gia Lai Province welcomed the Le Jacques Cartier in mid-February, kicking off activities for the National Tourism Year 2026. In the south, the Star Voyager docked at Phuoc An Port, Dong Nai Province on February 10, highlighting the cruise tourism potential of the southern region.
Industry experts view cruise tourism as a vital channel for attracting high-spending international travelers. The recent influx of luxury liners not only diversifies Vietnam’s tourism market but also provides a significant boost to related service sectors, including hospitality, F&B and retail.
