The Ministry of Construction has recently approved a proposal by Saigon-Hiep Phuoc Port Joint Stock Company to pilot the reception of international cruise ships at the Saigon-Hiep Phuoc Port. This development showcases the potential for growth in Vietnam’s cruise tourism sector.
Concurrently, the Ministry has directed the Vietnam Maritime and Inland Waterways Administration to guide the investor in implementing relevant contents of the research proposal on enhancing the utilization of existing public maritime infrastructure and port infrastructure, as stipulated in Decision 1731/2024 issued by the former Ministry of Transport.
In late 2024, the Ministry of Transport (now the Ministry of Construction) approved the reception of the international cruise ship Viking Orion at the Saigon-Hiep Phuoc Port. With a capacity of 3,640 DWT and dimensions of over 228 meters in length and 28.8 meters in width, the vessel can accommodate more than 1,400 passengers and crew members.
Strategically located on the Soai Rap River, Saigon-Hiep Phuoc Port boasts a total length of 800 meters and comprises three docks. By design, the port can handle general cargo and container ships with a capacity of up to 50,000 DWT.
Saigon-Hiep Phuoc Port Joint Stock Company, a subsidiary of Saigon Port Joint Stock Company established in 2005, falls under the purview of Port Group 5 as approved by the Prime Minister. With a focus on developing a green port model for container handling, the company is committed to efficient container transportation between ICDs and Saigon-Hiep Phuoc Port, as stated on their website.
Nearly 45,000 international visitors arrived in Vietnam by sea in January 2025. Illustrative image.
Conveniently situated on the Soai Rap River, which offers the widest and shortest route from the East Sea to Ho Chi Minh City’s port system compared to the Lo Gong channel, Saigon-Hiep Phuoc Port is in close proximity to major industrial parks such as Hiep Phuoc and Long Hau.
According to Google Maps, the distance from Ben Thanh Market (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) to the port is just over 20 kilometers.
 Vietnam Holds Great Potential for Cruise Tourism Development
With a coastline stretching over 3,260 kilometers, more than 4,000 islands, numerous breathtaking bays, and a network of deep-water ports capable of accommodating large vessels, Vietnam possesses significant potential for the growth of cruise tourism.
Located on a bustling maritime trade route in the region and connected to major cruise tourism markets such as China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, Vietnam is witnessing promising signs of a boom in this premium tourism segment.
According to statistics from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, in January 2025, Vietnam welcomed nearly 2.1 million international arrivals, including almost 45,000 visitors who arrived by sea.
Seaside localities like Da Nang, Ha Long (Quang Ninh), Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa), and Ho Chi Minh City have been frequent destinations for luxury cruise ships in the first months of 2025.
Recently, the Celebrity Solstice brought over 3,000 European and American tourists to Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta provinces. In just one week of February 2025, three 5-star cruise ships carried nearly 3,300 international visitors to Phu Quoc (Kien Giang).
During the same period, the Adora Cruise ship docked at Tien Sa Port in Da Nang, carrying 2,400 international passengers on a journey from Guangzhou, China.
In 2024, Da Nang’s cruise tourism witnessed impressive growth, with 35 ship calls and 42,500 passenger arrivals (a twofold increase compared to 2023). The year 2025 is expected to be even more prosperous, with Tien Sa Port projected to receive approximately 76 ship calls and over 70,000 passengers, representing a 64% increase from 2024.
Towards the end of February 2025, the international cruise ship Norwegian Spirit arrived at the Cam Ranh International Port in Khanh Hoa, bringing 1,900 tourists from various countries.
In the first two months of the year, Khanh Hoa welcomed seven international cruise ships with more than 12,500 passengers. Ha Long also remains a popular destination, with 60 cruise ships registered to dock in 2025, expected to bring approximately 90,000 tourists to Quang Ninh.
The market is forecast to become even more vibrant as the period from January to April is the peak season for cruise tourism.
The inclusion of Vietnam in the itineraries of leading cruise lines not only diversifies the country’s tourism offerings but also presents opportunities to attract high-end tourists with significant spending power, thereby elevating Vietnam’s position on the global cruise tourism map.
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