Nha Trang capitalising on advantages for cruise tourism
Leveraging existing advantages of an attractive destination for cruise tourism, the coastal city of Nha Trang in the central province of Khanh Hoa is continuing to refine related mechanisms and offer a variety of services meeting demand of those who come by sea.
The Seven Seas Explorer cruise ship docks in Nha Trang port. (Image: laodong.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) - Leveraging existing advantages of an attractive destination for cruise tourism, the coastal city of Nha Trang in the central province of Khanh Hoa is continuing to refine related mechanisms and offer a variety of services meeting demand of those who come by sea.
According to the provincial Department of Tourism, the beach city offers the holidaymakers a short travel from the port to the central areas as well as numerous options for sightseeing and hands-on activities.
Tour operators noted that cruise tourism comes with a high-end customer segment with significant spending power. It also has very high expectations for services and tourism products. This reality necessitates ongoing efforts from Nha Trang authorities and businesses to improve infrastructure and service quality.
However, there is still much to be done in the future. For instance, most of these travellers only visit for the day without overnight stays. Additionally, local souvenirs and specialties remain lacking in distinctiveness and creativity.
Nguyen Thi Le Thanh, Director of the provincial Department of Tourism, stated that Khanh Hoa identifies this group as one of the main sources for the industry in the future.
The authority has so far directed its units to intensify promotion campaigns, enhance the workforce quality, encourage localities and businesses to develop distinctive products, and promote eco-tourism models and local cultural experiences./.
With a long coastline of 3,260km, more than 4,000 islands and a wealth of renowned landscapes, Vietnam has become an attractive destination for cruise tourism.
The port complex of Cai Mep - Thi Vai in Ba Ria - Vung Tau continually welcomed international cruise ships with thousands of tourists over the past months, a sign of cruise tourism recovery in this southern province and Vietnam at large.
The number of international cruise ships bringing tourists to Chan May Port in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue has begun to pick up again after a long period of decline following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sixty international cruise ships with a total of some 80,000 passengers aboard have registered to dock at Ha Long International Port in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh this year, 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.
The Seven Seas Explorer cruise ship docks in Nha Trang port. (Image: laodong.vn) 
