China’s First Cruise Ship of 2025 Docks in Quang Ninh, Kicking Off a Vibrant Season

According to the Quang Ninh Provincial Electronic Information Portal, the Blue Dream Melody cruise ship from Beihai City (Guangxi, China) has docked at Halong International Passenger Port in Quang Ninh. This marks the first voyage from Beihai to Quang Ninh in 2025, continuing the route that resumed in November 2024.

The ship brought over 1,500 tourists to Quang Ninh. Passengers from the Blue Dream Melody are scheduled to visit several of Quang Ninh’s renowned attractions, including the Quang Ninh Museum, Vincom Shopping Center, Halong Market 1, and the Queen Cable Car. They will also experience the unique culture and cuisine of the region.

In 2025, nine cruise ships from Beihai are expected to arrive in Quang Ninh, carrying between 15,000 and 20,000 Chinese tourists. The second ship of the year is scheduled to arrive on November 21.

The Beihai – Halong cruise route was once vibrant for 10 years, starting in 1998. However, it ceased operations due to various reasons.

After years of interruption, the route was relaunched in late 2024, holding significant importance for tourism and relations between the two regions.

For China, Beihai Port—recently upgraded and prioritized by the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region government—has high expectations for expanding cruise routes, particularly international ones.

Conversely, Quang Ninh’s Halong International Passenger Port, with its modern and integrated infrastructure, has long been a favored destination for major cruise lines. The connection between these two ports not only opens a new maritime tourism route but also boosts tourism exchange, increases international visitors, and expands cruise networks to Vietnam.

Quang Ninh’s cruise season runs from October to April of the following year. In 2025, approximately 60 cruise ships are expected to bring 70,000 tourists to Quang Ninh. From the beginning of the year to early November, Quang Ninh has welcomed nearly 50 cruise ships with around 60,000 international visitors.

Most of these are luxury cruise ships that have visited Halong for many years, such as the Viking Orion, Silver Muse, Celebrity Solstice, and Silver Whisper. These ships are designed with luxury and modernity in mind, catering to Asian and South Pacific itineraries and departing from various countries. Notably, many major cruise lines return to Quang Ninh 4–6 times a year, each carrying an average of 1,000 passengers.

Depending on their schedule, cruise passengers choose suitable tours in Quang Ninh. For shorter stays, visitors often explore central Halong City, visit Halong Bay, the Quang Ninh Museum, Sun World amusement park, and local cultural and historical sites.

For ships staying overnight or longer, passengers tend to extend their journeys to nearby areas. Popular options include visiting Yen Duc Village, exploring the Yen Tu spiritual site, and experiencing the culture of ethnic minorities in Ky Thuong and Dong Son. This allows visitors to not only enjoy famous landscapes but also immerse themselves in the local life and culture of Quang Ninh and its surroundings.