Luxury cruise ship brings 3,000 tourists to central localities
A Celebrity Cruises ship with more than 3,000 passengers and crew on board berthed at Chan May port, the central province of Thua Thien – Hue on November 12.
Cruise tourism has been on a good recovery. (Photo: VNA)
Thua Thien – Hue (VNA) – A Celebrity Cruises shipwith more than 3,000 passengers and crew on board berthed at Chan May port, the centralprovince of Thua Thien – Hue on November 12.
The passengers will visit several central localities, includingThua Thien-Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam.
According to Deputy Director General of Chan May Port Joint Stock CompanyNguyen Van Chuong, cruise tourism has been on a good recovery, with many travelfirms having registered to bring visitors to Chan May port.
During January – September, the port welcomed 12 cruise ships which carriedmore than 13,000 travelers, he said, adding the port expects to host 10 more international cruise ships until the end of this year.
Ngo Lam Thong, a US national, said while the ship docks at Chan May port forten hours, he will visit the imperial citadel of Hue – a world heritage site todiscover royal art and architecture.
He said returning Vietnam after more than 20 years, he is delighted at thecountry’s development and quality tourism service.
Celebrity Cruises ship with more than 3,000 passengers and crew on board berths at Chan May port. (Photo: VNA)
Chan May port can accommodate 70,000 DWT vessels, and 225,000 GRT cruiseships. It is among 46 seaports in Southeast Asia selected by the Asia CruiseAssociation as a stopover for cruise ship.
Chan May Port Joint Stock Company said 30 cruise ships with 48,000 passengersand 18,700 crew members have registered to dock at the port in 2024./.
The volume of international visitors coming to Vietnam by sea in March rose by over 2.8 times compared to the previous month, according statistics of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).
The central coastal province of Khanh Hoa has taken a wide range of solutions to promote the development of cruise ship tourism – seen as potential and an advantage of the locality.
Cruise ship Resorts World One, operated by Saigontourist Travel Service Co., Ltd.’s branch in Da Nang, on October 4 brought over 1,700 international tourists to the central coastal city.
Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh has instructed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) to coordinate with other ministries, agencies and localities to effectively implement policies and directives from the Party, Government, and Prime Minister on tourism development.
Da Nang's appeal stems from its numerous outstanding tourist attractions, particularly My Khe Beach, Sun World Ba Na Hills resort, and the ancient town of Hoi An. Additionally, Da Nang tourism is renowned for its affordability, especially attractive to young travellers and couples, according to Chosun Ilbo.
With new direct flights from major Indian cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru, Vietnam is becoming an increasingly compelling destination for Indian tourists seeking a quick, emotionally rich four-day escape that blends luxury, culture, and natural wonder.
By source market, China continued to lead with 3.1 million visitors, equivalent to 25.5% of all foreign arrivals. The Republic of Korea followed with 2.5 million, or 20.7%. Other major markets included Taiwan (China) with 737,000, the US with 522,000, and Japan with 380,000.
Khanh Hoa has welcomed 16 international cruises so far this year, with more than 19,000 tourists disembarking to explore the province’s scenic landscapes and renowned cultural, religious, and artistic landmarks, as well as to enjoy local cuisine and sightseeing tours.
According to local plans, fireworks shows will be held at multiple locations, with Ha Long Bay as the focal point. More than mere entertainment, these displays are part of a strategic cultural tourism product aimed at strengthening the region’s brand.
Chatbot and virtual assistants support itinerary consultation and tour bookings, and provide around-the-clock response across multiple platforms while AI advertising applications have been used to optimise budgets and target the right customers. AI has been also employed to analyse customer data, enabling the delivery of personalised tour recommendations.
Many Vietnamese regions possess favourable conditions, including natural landscapes, climate, and rich cultural identities, to host sport events that integrate with cultural and tourism experiences.
Dubbed the “land of ancient towers”, Khanh Hoa boasts a rich Cham legacy through architectural masterpieces like the Po Nagar, Hoa Lai, Po Klong Garai, and Po Rome towers.
Vietnam’s e-visa system is now seen as one of the most efficient, convenient, and transparent in the region. Fully online registration, no paperwork or interviews, and fast and flexible processing time have improved foreigners’ entry experience, creating a competitive advantage over countries clinging to complicated and costly visa procedures.
Sunset Town unfolded like a living fairytale. Every street and hidden corner recalls iconic European landmarks – from Venice’s San Marco Bell Tower and Paris’s Arc de Triomphe to Almafi-style squares and cobblestone paths reminiscent of southern Italy.
Its natural advantages have made Mui Ne a magnet for enthusiasts of kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing, and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP). These activities not only diversify the local tourism offerings but also contribute to the area’s long-term development strategy focused on sustainability.
In July alone, the city welcomed 695,930 international arrivals, surging 75.3% year-on-year. For the seven-month period, international visitors totalled 4.5 million, up 48% year-on-year.
Welcoming the crew on the morning of July 30, Dang Dong Ha, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, emphasised that the film offers a valuable opportunity to promote Quang Tri’s tourism potential, particularly to Indian visitors, but also to a broader global audience.
With a proactive and creative approach, Hanoi is positioning itself as one of Southeast Asia’s most compelling destinations where tradition meets innovation, and every visit offers a blend of the familiar and the new.
Fostering linkage among regional localities and restructuring the tourism sector towards professionalism are among measures to boost the “smokeless industry” of the Mekong Delta.
Cruise tourism has been on a good recovery. (Photo: VNA) 
Celebrity Cruises ship with more than 3,000 passengers and crew on board berths at Chan May port. (Photo: VNA) 
