Leveraging the potential of cruise tourism

At the beginning of 2026, Dong Nai officially welcomed its first international cruise ship at Phuoc An Port, opening up new opportunities to tap into the growing international cruise tourism market.

The first international cruise ship calls at Phuoc An Port in 2026.

In the first six months of 2026, Dong Nai welcomed seven international cruise ship calls from world-renowned cruise brands. To meet visitors' demand to explore and experience the local historical, cultural, and culinary attractions at the ports of call, the city is developing tourism products to promote Dong Nai's culture, history, and people.

Proactively developing tourism products

Recently, the Dong Nai City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, together with representatives from relevant agencies and tourism businesses, held a working session with executives of Royal Caribbean Group (RCG) of the United States to explore ways to develop cruise tourism in Dong Nai.

During the meeting, Royal Caribbean representatives requested that Dong Nai develop distinctive tourism products, culinary experiences, and quality attractions that reflect the locality's unique identity to serve international cruise passengers, who typically have only eight to 10 hours to explore the destination after arriving by sea.

Royal Caribbean Group, one of the world's leading cruise companies, owns three global cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International (RCI), Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. In early 2026, the group pioneered cruise ship calls at Phuoc An Port, with each voyage carrying around 3,000 passengers and crew members. Since then, several other international cruise lines have also called at the port, opening up a new chapter for cruise tourism in Dong Nai.

According to Royal Caribbean Group's statistics, when cruise ships call at ports in each country, about 50-60% of passengers join tours provided by travel companies contracted by the cruise lines, currently Saigontourist and Vietravel in Vietnam. Around 20% prefer to explore the area surrounding the port independently, while about 5% remain on board. To provide international visitors with the best possible service, Dong Nai therefore needs to develop distinctive tourism products that showcase its history, culture, and cuisine. These products should offer visitors opportunities to experience local culture and cuisine, as well as traditional crafts and craft villages found only in Vietnam.

Statistics from international cruise tourism operators also show that one in every six passengers visiting a city by sea later returns by air and stays longer to continue exploring the destination. Providing passengers with accessible tourism information is therefore essential, including travel guides that allow them to scan for information and search for new attractions.

Ensuring best possible services for visitors

As the agency leading destination surveys and tourism product development for cruise visitors, Tran Thi Thu Trang, Deputy Director in charge of the city's Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center, said that following discussions with international cruise operators, the center is working with local authorities to develop tourism products tailored to visitors arriving in Dong Nai, with implementation expected by November 2026. Based on feedback from cruise operators, the center will survey and design tourism offerings that provide passengers with a full range of experiences, including leisure and entertainment, as well as opportunities to enjoy Dong Nai's local specialties in areas near Phuoc An Port, such as Nhon Trach and Dai Phuoc.

Introducing Dong Nai's tourism potential and the city's ambition to develop cruise tourism products, Le Thi Ngoc Loan, Member of the Dong Nai City Party Committee and Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said Dong Nai possesses all five modes of transportation and boasts abundant historical and cultural resources, including 121 nationally special, national, and provincial heritage sites. The city is also home to 37 ethnic groups and a population of approximately 5 million people, offering rich cultural diversity that can be translated into unique tourism experiences for visitors.

Dong Nai City's development objective is to become a national growth pole in the coming period. The city is focusing heavily on master planning. Among planning sectors, transport infrastructure, facility baselines, and services supporting future tourism growth are key areas receiving significant attention and active implementation.

Tourism has received close attention and direction from city leaders as a sector expected to contribute to the goal of achieving double-digit economic growth. Against this backdrop, the working session with Royal Caribbean presents an opportunity for Dong Nai to strengthen cooperation and accelerate tourism development. Dong Nai hopes to welcome international visitors and enable them to experience and better understand its land and people.

According to cruise operators, the visitor experience is the most important factor in the tourism industry. Positive experiences at the port and nearby attractions encourage travelers to recommend the destination to others through word of mouth, helping attract more visitors and, ultimately, more cruise ships to call at the port.

By Ngoc Lien – Translated by Mai Nga,Minho