Cruise tourism is considered a “gold mine” for Vietnam’s tourism industry. Photo daidoanket.vn
Each year, hundreds of thousands of cruise passengers arrive in HCM City and across Vietnam with strong spending power. Between 2026 and 2030, the city expects to invest in three international passenger ports in the former Vung Tau area and Khanh Hoi to improve cruise services.
Cruise passengers are a major source of visitors for the city’s tourism sector, said Doan Thi Thanh Tra, deputy general director of Saigontourist Travel Service Company. They make up nearly 60 per cent of its international clientele, with some weeks seeing two to three large vessels.
Though the city lacks a dedicated cruise terminal like Singapore, deep-water ports in the Cai Mep area allow international cruise ships to dock. Visitors are then transferred to the city centre for sightseeing. Tra said some cruise ships bring tourists from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, with up to 40 buses headed to the city, often buying out goods at Ben Thanh Market. She said these visitors help promote HCM City globally, with cruise itineraries acting as strong marketing channels.
Industry representatives say the absence of a dedicated cruise port remains a barrier to fully unlocking the sector. Officials from the Department of Tourism said the Cai Mep-Thi Vai area is largely a cargo port and not yet zoned for passengers. The city needs more time to improve infrastructure, train staff and streamline services.
Under a plan approved by the prime minister, Cai Mep Port is designated as an international gateway and transshipment hub, while Thi Vai Port will support regional development. The Ministry of Construction has allowed continued cruise reception at selected terminals in the area until June 30, 2026. The Department of Construction is working with agencies to propose priority waterway transport projects, including an international passenger port.
A pre-feasibility study has been submitted for the proposed Vung Tau International Cruise Port to meet the growing demand. Cruise passengers typically spend only one to two days at each port, but in Vietnam, itineraries often run four to five days, travelling from HCM City to central and northern regions and spending along the way. Cruise tourism is seen as a strong “gold mine” for the sector.
Vietnam already has several cruise ports. In the north, Ha Long International Passenger Port in Quang Ninh serves Haiphong and Hanoi. In the centre, ships often dock at Chan May in Hue or Tien Sa in Danang, gateways to Hue, Danang and Hoi An.
HCM City remains the most frequent call due to itinerary patterns. Many ships from the United States and Asia operate 30- or 60-day regional schedules, typically entering Vietnam from the south. Reaching Ha Long generally requires passing Hong Kong or China, which fits different itineraries. This makes HCM City the gateway for visitors to experience Vietnam’s culture, cuisine and lifestyle.
To ensure smooth operations after 2026, the city is preparing pilot plans for Cai Mep-Thi Vai through June 2026 while considering upgrades to add passenger services. A Saigontourist representative said the industry wants a dedicated terminal with streamlined customs, ground services and premium experiences that meet international standards.
HCM City remains the country’s most frequent port of call, largely due to cruise routes. Photo baochinhphu.vn
But another travel company representative said even a year may be too short to develop a viable business plan, since cruise operations rely on long-term strategies. Sudden changes create risks for both domestic and foreign partners.
Justin Matthew Pang, head of Tourism and Hospitality Management at RMIT University Vietnam, said the country has one of Asia’s most attractive coastlines, well-connected to the regional cruise network. Travellers include groups from South Korea, Singapore, Japan and India seeking high-end experiences and cultural discovery.
He noted that Vietnam faces competition from Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand, which operate professional cruise ports and standardised services. If Vietnam can strengthen its brand, streamline procedures and invest strategically, it could emerge as a new destination on the global cruise tourism map, he said.
