Over 1,200 foreign tourists arrive in Ha Long on cruises
Two luxury cruise ships, Seabourn Encore and Silver Whisper, have docked at Ha Long International Cruise Port, bringing more than 1,200 international tourists to Quang Ninh province, home to UNESCO-recognised natural heritage Ha Long Bay.
After arriving in Quang Ninh, visitors will explore Ha Long Bay, visit the city, visit some cultural and historical relics and neighbouring localities. (Photo: VNA)
Quang Ninh (VNA) – Two luxury cruise ships, Seabourn Encore and Silver Whisper, docked at Ha Long International Cruise Port on January 17, bringing more than 1,200 international tourists to Quang Ninh province, home to UNESCO-recognised natural heritage Ha Long Bay.
Visitors explored Ha Long Bay, toured the city, and visited cultural and historical sites despite the cool weather. Popular activities included cave visits, kayaking, and even beach outings, enhanced by the sunny conditions.
Ha Long’s modern transportation infrastructure, including its specialised international cruise port, has made Quang Ninh a preferred destination for luxury cruise ships.
Since the start of 2025, the port has welcomed four cruise ships with nearly 6,000 passengers, primarily from Europe and the US.
This year, approximately 60 cruise ships carrying nearly 90,000 tourists are expected, a 30% increase from 2024. These ships hail from countries such as the UK, France, Germany, and China, with new additions like Brilliant Lady and Luminara anticipated to dock.
November is projected to be a peak month, with up to three weekly visits from China's Beihai cruises, highlighting Quang Ninh’s proactive efforts to attract international visitors.
Quang Ninh aims to welcomeಌ 20 million tourists in 2025, including 4.5 million international vi༺sitors, underscoring its growing prominence in global tourism./.
The northeastern province of Quang Ninh is planning to further make use of heritage to develop sustainable tourism, step by step becoming a regional and international linkage hub, and an attractive destination for tourists in the global tourism map.
Despite challenges from Typhoon Yagi, the northern province of Quang Ninh, home to UNESCO-recognised natural heritage Ha Long Bay, welcomed 19 million tourists, including 3.8 million foreigners, in 2024, with cruise travelers making a significant contribution.
The northern province of Quang Ninh welcomed 73,000 tourists during the 2025 New Year holiday, marking a 20% increase compared to normal days, according to the provincial Department of Tourism.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
