Cruise tourism is becoming one of the most promising segments of Quang Ninh's tourism industry. Mr. Bui Quang Tuan, Director of the Ha Long International Cruise Port Branch, stated that in the first nine months of 2026, Quang Ninh welcomed 49 international cruise ships with nearly 59,000 passengers. In the third quarter of 2026 alone, there were 5 voyages, bringing over 8,100 visitors to explore the area. The arrival of these large-scale ships not only supplements the international tourist base but also demonstrates the increasing attractiveness of the destination on regional sea routes.
According to a report by Tourism Economics and the International Cruise Lines Association (CLIA) in collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board, the Southeast Asian cruise tourism industry is expected to generate over US$10 billion in revenue in 2024, while Vietnam in general and Quang Ninh in particular have only exploited a fraction of this market's potential.
The report also shows that 85% of passengers gave positive reviews of their experience in Southeast Asia; 47% of cruise passengers expressed their intention to return for longer trips on land. These figures suggest an interesting avenue for development: cruise passengers not only generate revenue during the time the ship is docked, but can also become a potential source of customers for longer voyages in the future.
One of the key factors enabling Quang Ninh to attract more international tourists by sea is its specialized port infrastructure for cruise ships. In 2026, Ha Long International Cruise Port was once again honored by the World Travel Awards as Asia's Leading Cruise Port. This marks the fourth time the port has received this title, following 2020, 2021, and 2022.
The continuous recognition from an international tourism award helps to strengthen the image of a specialized, modern cruise port, while also enhancing Quang Ninh's recognition within the network of destinations for international cruise lines. Furthermore, Quang Ninh's advantage lies in its relatively convenient connectivity between the seaport and unique tourism resources. From the cruise port, tourists can visit Ha Long Bay , cultural tourism sites, museums, entertainment areas, urban centers, restaurants, and local experiences within a timeframe that fits the cruise ship's schedule.
In the first nine months of 2026, Quang Ninh welcomed approximately 18.8 million visitors, including about 4.21 million international tourists; total tourism revenue is estimated at 56,400 billion VND. The international market structure is increasingly diversified, ranging from China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan (China), India , ASEAN to Europe, North America and Australia. Of these, Chinese tourists account for more than 35% of international visitors, arriving in Quang Ninh by land, air and sea.
Market diversification facilitates the expansion of cruise ship passenger markets in the locality, while gradually reducing dependence on a few traditional markets. However, to transform this potential into a genuine competitive advantage, Quang Ninh is creating products that are sufficiently differentiated and tailored to the tastes and consumption characteristics of each customer group.
In 2026, Quang Ninh aims to welcome over 23 million tourists, generating over 71,000 billion VND in tourism revenue. From now until the end of the year, approximately 20-25 international cruise ships are expected to bring tourists to Quang Ninh. This is a unique source of visitors: their stay is typically short, but their needs for sightseeing, cultural experiences, culinary delights, and shopping are quite diverse. Therefore, the tourism industry is striving to provide valuable experiences that leave a lasting impression, encouraging tourists to return.
According to Mr. Nguyen The Hue, Chairman of the Quang Ninh Tourism Association, the tourism stimulus program for Autumn-Winter 2026 is being implemented comprehensively by the tourism industry, with the participation of more than 20 accommodation establishments ranging from 3 to 5 stars. These establishments are offering discounts from 20% to over 60%, combined with food and beverage services, health care, and other amenities for guests. This is not only a solution to stimulate demand during the off-season but also contributes to the formation of a service chain capable of meeting the diverse needs of international tourists.
In addition, products with strong local characteristics are expanding the range of experiences for tourists, such as: three-walled boats on Ha Long Bay, sightseeing cruises, 3D mapping shows, and the development of Soi Sim beach...
Along with infrastructure and products, service quality is a decisive factor in maintaining Quang Ninh's attractiveness in the international cruise tourism market. Currently, the locality has more than 1,370 accommodation establishments with 32,696 rooms; 109 cruise ships with 1,967 rooms; more than 200 travel agencies and 2,442 tour guides. This is an important foundation for organizing, connecting, and serving increasingly large international tourist flows.
Promotional activities have also been expanded to Russia, the CIS, Australia, India, China, and Southeast Asia. Strengthening international cooperation, organizing surveys, promotion programs, and business networking helps Quang Ninh bring its products closer to shipping companies, travel agencies, and source markets.
Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/quang-ninh-don-song-du-lich-tau-bien-post3422554.html
