Speaking at a conference on cruise tourism development organised by the Gia Lai People's Committee on June 20, Do Thi Dieu Hanh, director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the National Tourism Year 2026 presents a valuable opportunity to promote the destination and position Quy Nhon Port as an attractive stop on international cruise itineraries.
According to Hanh, Gia Lai aims to develop cruise tourism through a strategy focused on quality, differentiation, sustainability and strong regional connectivity.
"The province will not compete on the number of cruise ships. Instead, it will compete through distinctive tourism products, cultural depth and the quality of visitor experiences," she said.
Hanh noted that since the beginning of 2026, Gia Lai has successfully welcomed two international cruise vessels, Le Jacques Cartier and Noble Caledonia – Island Sky, to Quy Nhon Port.
Upgrading infrastructure for international cruise ships
At the conference, Doan Thi Thanh Tra, deputy chief executive of Saigontourist Travel Service Company, said Quy Nhon's strategic location as a maritime gateway gives Gia Lai significant potential to develop cruise tourism.
According to Tra, the global cruise tourism market is entering a new phase in which service quality, immersive experiences, personalised products and destination management capabilities are becoming increasingly important.
Although cruise passengers typically spend only a short time at each destination, expectations regarding tourism products, services and operational standards remain exceptionally high, she said.
Tra added that Saigontourist is ready to work with Gia Lai, cruise operators, port authorities and tourism partners to survey, develop, standardise and market cruise programmes tailored to international travellers.
Ha Van Sieu, deputy director general of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, said Gia Lai still has considerable room for growth in cruise tourism, particularly given its diverse range of attractions that appeal to international visitors.
To attract major cruise lines, Sieu urged the province to invest comprehensively in port infrastructure, including berths, passenger terminals and maritime support facilities.
He said the authority would gather recommendations from stakeholders and propose policy improvements to the government to create stronger incentives for cruise tourism development.
Sieu also pledged continued support for local authorities and businesses, with cruise tourism identified as one of the sector's development priorities in the coming years.
Gia Lai aims to welcome around 15 million visitors in 2026 and generate VND 35 trillion (approximately USD 1.34 billion) in tourism revenue.
By 2030, the province targets 18.5 million visitors annually, including approximately 1.1 million international arrivals.
