Kicking off cruise tourism season

The international cruise tourism season runs from October this year through May next year. This year, Dong Nai has officially become a port of call for many international cruise lines, joining the ranks of Vietnamese localities developing cruise tourism.

Tour buses line up to pick up passengers coming ashore for sightseeing trips.

After 10 cruise ship calls at Phuoc An Port in Phuoc An Commune, Dong Nai has safely welcomed 15,000 passenger visits on day tours. Tour operators have arranged transportation for visitors to attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, before bringing them back to their ships, which depart the port before nightfall.

Ready to welcome visitors

According to the Business Department of Petro Vietnam Phuoc An Port Investment & Operation Joint Stock Company, based on schedules registered by shipping agents, Phuoc An Port expects to receive around 50 international cruise ship calls between now and May 2027, bringing more than 100,000 passenger visits. Cruise lines that have called or are scheduled to call at Phuoc An Port include Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line and Holland America Line from the United States; TUI Cruises from Germany; and StarCruises and Adora Cruises from China.

Recently, several cruise lines have conducted site inspections with a view to bringing in large vessels capable of carrying 4,000–5,000 passengers per voyage. To prepare for each ship’s arrival, Phuoc An Port works closely with shipping agents and relevant authorities, including the port authority, border guard forces, customs and medical services. They arrange dedicated berths and ensure that passenger reception areas are spacious, clean, secure and safe, while organizing convenient routes for passengers and the vehicles transporting them. To date, Phuoc An Port has remained ready to receive vessels of any size authorized by the competent authorities.

Nguyen Hong Chuong, a representative of Hainam Shipping Agency Co., Ltd. in Ho Chi Minh City, said the company expects approximately 40–45 cruise ship calls at Phuoc An Port during this year's tourism season. Most vessels operate on Asian itineraries, particularly in Southeast Asia, departing from Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. He noted that preparations for passengers boarding the ships have received support from the relevant authorities, helping ensure safety and save visitors time when completing immigration procedures.

Assessing the port’s capacity to receive passengers, Chuong said Phuoc An Port meets key safety and convenience requirements, with good berthing facilities. These conditions help ensure that arrangements for receiving ships at the port proceed as planned. “Although there was some initial confusion that affected operations, preparations have now stabilized, allowing visitors to disembark quickly and join day tours to explore the area,” Chuong said.

More local tourism products needed

All passengers arriving at the port take part in day tours organized by Vietnamese tour operators. Visitors select their excursions before their ships arrive. As a result, preparations to receive vessels and complete immigration procedures must be carried out quickly, accurately and in compliance with regulations.

Visitors browse stalls selling souvenirs.

At present, however, while most passengers register for tours after coming ashore, some passengers and crew members remain at the port. Localities surrounding Phuoc An Port could seize this opportunity to develop local tourism products tailored to these visitors.

In addition to sightseeing attractions, visitors’ demand for souvenirs also represents a valuable channel for promoting local products, one that should be developed more effectively in the coming period.

Tran Thi Kim Thu, owner of Ban Sac Viet, a souvenir business in Ho Chi Minh City, has been selling souvenirs in areas where cruise ships dock for nearly 20 years. She said visitors coming ashore often buy handicrafts and tourist T-shirts featuring Vietnamese cultural motifs. These souvenirs are affordable and easy for passengers to carry back aboard their ships.

Discussing efforts to connect stakeholders and develop tourism products, Tran Thi Thu Trang, Deputy Director in charge of the Dong Nai Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center, said the center had recently worked with relevant agencies and tour operators to survey potential destinations. The aim is to develop tours that showcase local identity, offer visitors regional delicacies and specialties from brackish-water areas, and include visits to historical sites and scenic attractions. The center is continuing to review and survey destinations to develop local tourism products that meet the needs of international visitors.

To facilitate passengers’ arrival when ships dock at Phuoc An Port, the relevant forces, including customs officials, border guards and the port authority, have coordinated their efforts to ensure adequate staffing, security and public order. Border guard and port authority procedures have been completed and processed as quickly as possible, helping to open up prospects for the development of cruise tourism in Dong Nai City.

By Ngoc Lien – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho