Dong Nai ready to welcome international cruise tourists

In early February 2026, Dong Nai welcomed, for the first time, nearly 500 international tourists arriving at Phuoc An Port in Phuoc An commune. The visitors were part of a cruise tour organized by Saigontourist Travel Service Company (Saigontourist Travel, Ho Chi Minh City) to explore destinations in Vietnam.
 

The international cruise ship Star Voyager docks at Phuoc An Port in Dong Nai for the first time. Photo: Ngoc Lien

The tourists aboard the international cruise ship Star Voyager departed from Singapore. According to the tour itinerary, after disembarking, all passengers were arranged by Saigontourist to join a discovery tour of Ho Chi Minh City, visiting prominent attractions such as Ben Thanh Market, Cho Lon Market, enjoying a panoramic view of the city from the Bitexco Financial Tower, exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels, and savoring distinctive Vietnamese cuisine.

Dong Nai – a new international cruise destination

On the morning of February 10, the Star Voyager slowly entered the waters of Phuoc An Port. After safely docking, crew members and nearly 500 passengers disembarked to begin their journey to Ho Chi Minh City. Following immigration procedures with the border guard force and baggage inspection by customs officers, tourists were quickly transferred to vehicles to start their overland exploration of Vietnam.

A representative of Saigontourist Travel said that, for many years, the company has been a leading travel brand in Vietnam, with professional expertise in organizing international cruise tours, standardized services, and a synchronized operational system.

The arrangement for an international cruise ship to dock at Phuoc An Port for the first time marks a significant milestone for Dong Nai’s cruise tourism operations. At the same time, it offers considerable development potential for the international cruise tourism market in the Southeast region, as Vietnam increasingly emerges as an attractive destination on the global cruise tourism map.

For Jimmy, a visitor from Hong Kong, this was his third trip to Vietnam but the first time docking at a new port. He expressed delight at receiving a traditional scarf embroidered with the red flag and yellow star and having the opportunity to experience an entirely new stop in Vietnam.

Sharing his impressions, Jimmy said that after several visits, he has seen Vietnam’s continuous development, admired its beautiful landscapes, and enjoyed its diverse and delicious cuisine. Traveling by cruise ship, he added, allows passengers to carry luggage with ease and enjoy many specialty dishes from Vietnam and other destinations on the tour itinerary.

In the first quarter of 2026, Saigontourist Travel expects to welcome more than 25,000 international cruise passengers, further affirming its leading role in tapping the high-end cruise segment and serving as a promising market that will contribute positively to the growth of Vietnam’s tourism industry in general and the Southeast region in particular.

Ensuring safe and smooth entry procedures

To facilitate the first arrival of cruise tourists at Phuoc An Port, customs authorities, border guards, and port management agencies coordinated closely to provide maximum support.

International tourists are welcomed and presented with traditional scarves after disembarking. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Dong Minh Hieu, Head of the Border Guard Control Station at Nhon Trach Port Border Gate, said that before the ship’s arrival, Dong Nai port authorities, border guards, customs officers, and relevant forces at Phuoc An Port held multiple meetings to agree on support plans.

The objective was to create the most favorable conditions for the vessel, passengers, and crew to enter Vietnam and visit Phuoc An Port, while ensuring security, order, and safety. All immigration and port procedures were handled swiftly and efficiently, laying the groundwork for Dong Nai’s future tourism development.

According to Senior Lieutenant Colonel Dong Minh Hieu, this was not only the first cruise ship to dock at Phuoc An Port but also the first of the Lunar New Year season, marking a new chapter in Dong Nai’s tourism development. He expressed hope that more cruise ships would arrive at the port in 2026, affirming that the border guard force would always ensure absolute safety for vessels, tourists and crew members, facilitating quick and secure arrivals and departures.

Regarding cargo and baggage control, Tran Ho Quoc Thien, Deputy Head of Nhon Trach Border Gate Customs Sub-Department under Customs Sub-Department of Region XVIII, noted that customs officers had prepared plans to create the most convenient conditions for tourists and goods entering Vietnam.

He emphasized that personnel had been deployed and that inspection and supervision plans for the goods had been put in place. When suspicions were detected, customs officers would conduct thorough inspections in accordance with regulations while maintaining a facilitative approach for visitors arriving in Viet Nam.

As most cruise passengers carried only hand luggage, customs primarily conducted supervision and only conducted inspections when there were suspicions. Before docking, passengers had been reminded of which imported goods were permitted and which were prohibited from being brought into Viet Nam. As a result, entry procedures and goods inspection were facilitated, supported by early coordination among the ship, the tour company, and customs authorities.

By Ngoc Lien – Translated by M. Nguyet , Minho