The Malta-flagged vessel Celebrity Solstice arrived with 3,018 passengers and 1,222 crew members, most of them from Europe and the Americas. The visitors belong largely to the high-end travel segment, with strong demand for quality services and premium experiences.
Quang Ninh Party Secretary Quan Minh Cuong (second from right) presents flowers to visitors at the welcoming ceremony (Photo: D.X.)
A welcoming ceremony was held at the port, attended by provincial leaders and tourism officials, with traditional performances and a flower presentation for the guests.
The ship will stay in Halong until the end of January 1, allowing passengers to visit Halong and take part in New Year activities, with further trips planned to Hanoi and Haiphong.
The Malta-flagged Celebrity Solstice brings more than 3,000 passengers to Ha Long. (Photo: D.X.)
Bui Quang Tuan, deputy executive director of Halong International Cruise Port, said the ship’s arrival marked a positive start to the 2026 cruise season, adding that infrastructure and services would continue to be upgraded.
Quang Ninh expects to receive nearly 90 international cruise calls in 2026, bringing an estimated 150,000 passengers from key markets such as the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, China and other European countries.
The province aims to welcome 22 million visitors this year, including 5.2 million international arrivals, with tourism revenue targeted at around VND 65 trillion (USD 2.6 billion).