Cruise Travel Makes a Spectacular Comeback

Cruise tourism in Khanh Hoa is experiencing a robust recovery after a period of decline. Since the beginning of the year, the province has welcomed 19 international cruise ships, carrying over 22,000 passengers from Europe, the Americas, China, and various other countries and territories. The return of major cruise lines is significantly boosting the local island and sea tourism industry.

Continuous Port Arrivals

In late October, the Discovery Princess (Bermuda-flagged) docked at Cam Ranh International Port, bringing 1,200 passengers to explore Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa. Previously, renowned cruise ships such as the Norwegian Spirit and Celebrity Solstice also docked, marking a new growth phase for this tourism segment. From now until the end of December 2025, the province expects to welcome an additional 7 international cruises with approximately 10,000 passengers, bringing the total number of international cruise ships in 2025 to 26, the highest since the pandemic.

To capitalize on this trend, local travel companies have innovated products and enhanced service quality. Numerous short tours tailored to ship docking times have been designed, including “Nha Trang City Tour,” “Traditional Truong Son Village Exploration,” “Countryside Cycling Adventure,” and “Basket Boat Rowing on Cai River.” “European and American tourists particularly enjoy exploring local culture and cuisine. Therefore, we focus on tours linked to heritage, traditional crafts, local cuisine, and indigenous lifestyles. The recently launched basket boat rowing tour on Cai River has received excellent feedback,” shared Mr. Bui Minh Thang, Director of Phuong Thang Tourism and Trade Services Company.

The province is also expanding its cruise infrastructure. The Ana Marina Nha Trang International Yacht Harbor (Vinh Hoa Ward) has recently been licensed to receive international ships, becoming a key destination alongside Cam Ranh International Port. This development enhances Khanh Hoa’s capacity to host large cruise lines and high-end passengers, solidifying Nha Trang’s position on Asia’s maritime tourism map.

Further Investment Needed

According to statistics, Khanh Hoa’s tourism is surging, with over 14.1 million overnight visitors in the first 10 months of 2025, a 16.5% increase compared to the same period last year. International visitors reached 4.3 million, up nearly 19%, generating revenue of over 56.54 trillion VND. Within this growth, cruise tourism plays a vital role by consistently attracting high-spending visitors, promoting the image of “the Land of Frankincense” internationally.

Mr. Cung Quynh Anh, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Khanh Hoa Province, stated that amidst intense regional competition, Khanh Hoa maintains its appeal due to its unique natural advantages, including a long coastline, beautiful bays and islands, and increasingly developed tourism infrastructure. “The continuous return of international ships is a positive sign, reflecting Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa’s strong attraction,” Mr. Anh confidently remarked.

However, experts suggest that to fully leverage cruise tourism potential, Khanh Hoa should upgrade Nha Trang Port into a dedicated tourism port capable of accommodating large ships directly in the city center. Additionally, the province should intensify promotions at international cruise fairs, implement incentives for cruise lines and passengers, and diversify short-term tourism products focusing on local cultural experiences.