The Ha Long International Cruise Port in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh is expected to welcome about 32,000 visitors by the end of 2025, marking a record year for international cruise arrivals and reinforcing Ha Long’s status as a premier gateway for luxury sea tourism in Vietnam.
On November 11–12, the port is receiving two luxury cruise ships — Westerdam (the Netherlands) and Star Voyager (Bahamas) — carrying more than 3,100 passengers and crew members to explore Quang Ninh’s heritage sites. Upon arrival, Westerdam’s guests visited iconic destinations such as Ha Long Bay, Yen Tu scenic complex, and the province’s centre area, while some tour groups travelled to Hanoi and Vinh Bao (Hai Phong) to experience the cultural and historical highlights of the Red River Delta.
Both Westerdam and Star Voyager are familiar names to Ha Long International Cruise Port. In 2025, Star Voyager has already made four calls, while Westerdam marked its first visit of the year, after two successful arrivals in 2024. The steady return of world-renowned cruise lines underscores the growing appeal of Ha Long as a high-end maritime tourism destination on the global map.
In the first ten months of this year, the port welcomed 44 international cruise ships with a total of 56,647 passengers, up 9% year-on-year. Most visitors came from Europe, the US, and China, reflecting a strong recovery in the luxury travel segment.
According to Pham Van Hiep, Director of Ha Long International Cruise Port, the frequent arrival of major cruise liners demonstrates the vibrant rebound of international sea tourism in Vietnam.
During the last two months of 2025, Quang Ninh aims to attract about 2.77 million tourists and earn 8.6 trillion VND (326.7 million USD) in tourism revenue, contributing to the province’s annual goal of 21.2 million visitors and 58 trillion VND in total earnings.
As Vietnam’s first cruise port designed exclusively for large vessels, Ha Long International Cruise Port can accommodate two ships of over 200,000 GT simultaneously. With its modern infrastructure, international-standard operations, and convenient passenger services, it has become one of the most preferred docking points for leading global cruise lines.
By the end of this year, the port is expected to handle a total of 23 cruise calls, carrying nearly 90,000 international visitors – a milestone that cements Quang Ninh’s central role in Vietnam’s national cruise tourism strategy./.VNA
