Chairman of Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee, Pham Duc An, welcomes the tourists, who were the first to dock at Ha Long International Port on January 29.
Chairman of Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee, Pham Duc An, and representatives from the Ha Long Tourism Department welcomed the tourists, who were the first to dock at Ha Long International Port at 8.30 am.
The foreign tourists who came from the US and Europe were given lucky money and fresh flowers.
According to director of the Quang Ninh Provincial Tourism Department Nguyen Huyen Anh, the vessel arrival showed a positive sign for local tourism industry.
"We hope to welcome 20 million tourists including 4.50 million foreign visitors this year, with revenues of some VND55 trillion.
Approximately 7,000 cruise ship visitors are expected to travel to the province during the 9-day Tet Lunar New Year holiday.
According to a Ha Long International Cruise Port representative, most tourists will come from Europe and the United States.
In 2025, Quang Ninh plans to serve roughly 70 cruise ships, carrying around 90,000 passengers, a 1.3-fold increase year-on-year. The cruise ships registered to dock at the port are from renowned global brands, including Mein Schiff 6, Celebrity Solstice, and Costa Serena.
The peak cruise tourism season in Quang Ninh usually lasts from the fourth quarter of the year to the first quarter of the next.
In the first quarter of the year, Ha Long International Cruise Port will receive 28 cruise ships, bringing around 42,000 visitors to Quang Ninh.
The port is a preferred destination for international travellers because it is recognised as one of the top and most reliable docking points for leading global cruise lines.