VI
EN
A cruise ship from Hong Kong docked at Ha Long International Cruise Port this morning with 3,477 passengers and 1,000 crew members. The Chinese tourists will be divided into several groups to visit Ha Long Bay and other tourist attractions in Ha Long City. At 6 PM the same day, the group will board the ship to continue their voyage.
Representatives from the Ha Long International Cruise Port stated that this cruise ship marks the beginning of the cruise tourism season in Quang Ninh, which runs from November to April next year, and is one of the largest cruise ships to visit the area this year.
The 5-star superyacht Costa Serena – one of the world's largest superyachts – has arrived in Ha Long Bay.
During their one-day stay in Ha Long, the tour group will split into several smaller groups to explore Ha Long Bay and the city. This is considered one of the largest international cruise ships to dock in Ha Long Bay this year, creating a significant milestone for the local tourism industry.
The Costa Serena has docked in Vietnam quite a few times, but this is its first time in Ha Long. Before COVID-19, the ship regularly brought international tourists to various destinations, including Phu Quoc.
Following the pandemic, the cruise ship returned to Vietnam at least twice in 2023. In May 2023, the ship brought 2,600 international tourists to Phu Quoc Island on a 5-day journey from Thailand, through Cambodia, and then to Vietnam. In February 2024, the ship once again docked in Phu Quoc, carrying over 1,000 tourists and crew.
This is considered a positive sign for local tourism.
The arrival of the Costa Serena cruise ship in Ha Long Bay not only contributes to attracting international tourists but also brings many benefits to the local tourism and service industry. This event marks an important milestone in welcoming international tourist groups, affirming Vietnam's position on the world tourism map.
Ha Long will have more opportunities to access the international tourism market, contributing to boosting the local economy and enhancing Vietnam's image as a safe and attractive destination.
This cruise ship marks the beginning of the cruise tourism season in Quang Ninh, which runs from November to April of the following year.
According to experts, cruise tourism is gradually recovering after the Covid-19 pandemic. Ha Long is expected to welcome around 60-70 cruise ships this year, bringing approximately 70,000 tourists, with the end of the year being the peak season for receiving visitors.
Two weeks after Typhoon Yagi, Ha Long Bay welcomed nearly 40,000 tourists, with almost 90% being foreign visitors from South Korea, India, Europe, and America. Despite suffering heavy losses from the typhoon, Quang Ninh remains determined to achieve its goal of welcoming 19 million tourists in 2024, including 3.5 million international visitors.
