International cruise tourism in Vietnam’s northeastern province of Quang Ninh is gathering fresh momentum as a growing roster of global cruise lines returns to Ha Long International Cruise Port.

Among them, the repeated calls of Celebrity Solstice, part of a wider wave of large-capacity vessels, are emerging as a symbol of the province’s post-pandemic rebound and its ambitions to become a leading cruise gateway in Asia.

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Celebrity Solstice Leads High-Profile Cruise Comeback

When Celebrity Solstice sailed into Ha Long at the end of 2023 carrying around 3,000 mainly European and American passengers to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Ha Long Bay, the arrival was widely read as a psychological turning point for Quang Ninh’s cruise sector.

It signaled that top-tier international operators were willing to restore Vietnam stops to their regional itineraries and test demand for longer-haul voyages to Southeast Asia once again.

In the 2024 and 2024–2025 cruise seasons, Celebrity Solstice has been repeatedly listed among the headline vessels scheduled to call at Ha Long International Cruise Port, alongside other marquee ships such as Mein Schiff 5 and 6, Noordam, MSC Splendida and Costa Serena.

Local tourism authorities have underscored that these brands bring not only volume, but also high-spending passengers who often opt for premium shore excursions and multi-day stays in and around Ha Long.

By late 2025, Quang Ninh officials were already promoting another major call by Celebrity Solstice, with the Malta-flagged vessel expected to bring approximately 2,800 guests to Ha Long in December.

The ship’s repeat presence reflects the province’s efforts to lock in long-term partnerships with cruise lines and to position Ha Long as a dependable, high-quality port of call on Northeast and Southeast Asian routes.

Sharp Growth in Cruise Arrivals Boosts Tourist Numbers

The return of vessels like Celebrity Solstice is part of a broader surge in cruise travel to Quang Ninh over the past two years.

After near-standstill conditions during the pandemic, the province entered 2024 with around 60 international cruise ships registered to dock at Ha Long International Cruise Port, carrying some 80,000 passengers over the year.

That season marked a 1.4-fold increase in cruise passenger numbers compared with 2023, as confidence in long-distance sea travel steadily recovered.

Initial results set the tone for sustained growth. In the first half of 2025, Quang Ninh welcomed 35 international cruise ships and nearly 50,000 cruise passengers, representing an increase of about 25 percent year on year.

Through the first ten months of 2025, Ha Long International Cruise Port handled 44 international calls with 56,647 passengers, and port authorities projected total cruise arrivals for the year could approach 90,000 passengers.

This cruise momentum feeds into a much larger tourism story. In the first nine months of 2024, Quang Ninh recorded 15.64 million visitors overall, including roughly 2.59 million international tourists.

By the time the province marked its three millionth international arrival of 2024, local leaders were openly tying that milestone to robust sea tourism, with more than 60 cruise ships expected in the 2024–2025 season and cruise tourism singled out as a key driver of international growth.

Ha Long International Cruise Port Emerges as a Regional Hub

Central to Quang Ninh’s cruise resurgence is Ha Long International Cruise Port, a dedicated passenger terminal that has quickly become the province’s primary gateway for luxury liners.

Since opening in 2018, the port has received more than 200 international cruise calls and close to 280,000 passengers, earning a reputation among operators for its sheltered location, purpose-built berths and direct access to Ha Long Bay’s UNESCO-listed seascape.

In 2025, the port’s schedule has become increasingly dense during the October to April peak season. Vessels such as Westerdam and Star Voyager have made multiple calls, including a high-profile double arrival in November that brought more than 3,100 visitors and crew in a single day.

Officials at the port forecast that November and December together would account for about 32,000 cruise visitors, helping to set a new record year for international sea arrivals.

Authorities argue that Ha Long’s purpose-built infrastructure is one reason why major lines, including Celebrity Cruises, TUI Cruises, Holland America Line and Costa Cruises, are willing to assign larger, more modern ships to Vietnam routes.

The port can accommodate ships of up to 225,000 gross tons, handle large volumes of passengers simultaneously, and coordinate the rapid movement of tour groups to city attractions, Ha Long Bay boats and even overland excursions to Hanoi or the Red River Delta.

New Routes From China and Diversified Source Markets

While Celebrity Solstice and other Western-market ships attract considerable attention, Quang Ninh is also gaining from the reopening and expansion of cruise routes from China.

Since late 2024, the province has again been hosting sailings from ports such as Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Beihai, with ships like Blue Dream Melody and Star Voyager delivering thousands of passengers in organized groups.

By mid-2025, Quang Ninh had already received several cruise voyages from Beihai, with projections of up to nine such cruises in the year, bringing between 15,000 and 20,000 Chinese visitors.

At the same time, the Hong Kong based Star Voyager alone was expected to return around ten times in 2025, with each call carrying more than 1,200 passengers.

These flows complement the steady arrivals of American, European and Japanese passengers on longer-haul itineraries.

This diversification of source markets helps Quang Ninh insulate its cruise sector from regional shocks. Visitors from the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France and other European countries often arrive on ships like Celebrity Solstice, Costa Serena or Mein Schiff, while East Asian travelers tend to come on regionally operated vessels.

Together, they support year-round demand for shore excursions, shopping, dining and cultural experiences across different price points.

Local Experiences Evolve to Capture Cruise Spending

As the number of cruise arrivals grows, Quang Ninh’s tourism industry is focusing on transforming brief port calls into high-value experiences that encourage repeat visits and longer stays in the future.

Passengers disembarking from Celebrity Solstice, Westerdam, Star Voyager and other ships are typically offered a menu of half-day and full-day tours combining Ha Long Bay cruises, city sightseeing and cultural activities.

Popular options include classic boat excursions among the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay, cable car rides and amusement complexes in Bai Chay, visits to the Quang Ninh Museum, and shopping at traditional markets in Ha Long city.

Increasingly, operators are also promoting excursions farther afield, such as spiritual and nature experiences at the Yen Tu complex, countryside immersion in Yen Duc village in Dong Trieu, or day trips to Hanoi’s Old Quarter and the rural districts of Hai Phong.

Local authorities report that average visitor spending in Quang Ninh has risen compared with pre-pandemic levels, helped in part by cruise guests opting for premium tours and high-end dining.

Cruise passengers are seen as particularly valuable for their propensity to purchase local handicrafts, seafood and cultural performances within a short timeframe.

This has spurred investments in waterfront retail, upgraded tourist services and training programs to raise service standards for international clientele.

Ambitious Targets for 2026 and Beyond

Building on the current recovery, Quang Ninh is setting ambitious cruise and tourism targets for the coming years, with Celebrity Solstice and other global ships playing a central role in marketing campaigns.

According to provincial data, Quang Ninh had already surpassed 21 million total visitors by mid-November 2025, achieving its annual volume target ahead of schedule and prompting local leaders to raise expectations for both revenue and international arrivals.

Looking specifically at cruise tourism, the province plans to welcome 62 international cruise ships in 2026, potentially surpassing the 66 calls expected by the end of 2025.

Planners say that sustained growth in this segment will be critical to reaching the longer-term goal of attracting between 4 and 4.5 million international tourists annually in the second half of the decade, supported by expanded air, land and sea connectivity.

Officials in Quang Ninh also point to the broader economic impact of sustained cruise growth, including the creation of jobs in port operations, tour guiding, transportation, hospitality and retail.

The continued arrival of high-profile liners such as Celebrity Solstice is expected to bolster the province’s reputation on the global cruise map, making it easier to attract new routes and persuade operators to schedule overnight or turnaround calls in Ha Long in the future.

Challenges and Opportunities in Managing Rapid Cruise Expansion

Despite the positive outlook, Quang Ninh’s cruise expansion brings challenges that local authorities and operators are racing to address.

One concern is managing congestion during peak days when multiple large ships arrive on overlapping schedules.

Coordinating passenger flows through the terminal, allocating tour coaches and avoiding overcrowding at Ha Long Bay’s most popular sites will be essential to maintaining visitor satisfaction.

Environmental management is another priority, particularly given Ha Long Bay’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the sensitivity of its marine ecosystem.

Provincial planners have reiterated their intention to balance growth targets with stricter controls on waste, emissions and anchoring practices, while shifting more excursions to designated routes and encouraging operators to adopt cleaner technologies.

At the same time, the fast pace of cruise recovery amplifies opportunities for product innovation. Tourism businesses are experimenting with themed tours tailored to cruise markets, such as wellness-focused day trips, photography cruises, culinary workshops and heritage walks in lesser-known neighborhoods of Ha Long and nearby towns.

The hope is that distinctive offerings will encourage passengers who first encounter Quang Ninh on a short shore excursion to return later as independent travelers for longer stays.

FAQ

Q1. Why is Celebrity Solstice significant for Quang Ninh’s tourism sector?
Celebrity Solstice is one of the largest and most recognizable international cruise ships calling at Ha Long International Cruise Port. Its repeated arrivals signal strong confidence from a leading global cruise brand, help raise the profile of Ha Long Bay on long-haul itineraries, and bring thousands of high-spending passengers who support local tours, dining and shopping.

Q2. How many cruise tourists is Quang Ninh receiving now compared with before the pandemic?
Quang Ninh’s cruise tourism virtually halted during the pandemic years, but by 2024 and 2025 it had rebounded strongly. Around 60 international cruise ships with roughly 80,000 passengers were registered for 2024, and authorities expect close to 90,000 cruise visitors in 2025, a higher level than in the years immediately before the health crisis.

Q3. Which cruise lines, besides Celebrity Cruises, are currently visiting Ha Long?
A range of major operators include TUI Cruises with its Mein Schiff fleet, Holland America Line with ships such as Westerdam, Costa Cruises with Costa Serena, as well as Noordam, MSC Splendida, Star Voyager and regional vessels like Blue Dream Melody. Many of these ships have scheduled multiple calls during the 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 seasons.

Q4. What kinds of shore excursions are most popular with cruise passengers in Quang Ninh?
The most in-demand excursions include day cruises around the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay, visits to the Quang Ninh Museum and local markets, cable car rides and entertainment complexes in Bai Chay, spiritual and nature trips to the Yen Tu complex, and cultural experiences in rural villages such as Yen Duc. Some passengers also opt for overland tours to Hanoi and the Red River Delta.

Q5. How is Ha Long International Cruise Port equipped to handle larger ships?
Ha Long International Cruise Port was purpose-built to receive modern, high-capacity cruise vessels. It offers deep-water berths suitable for ships of over 200,000 gross tons, dedicated passenger terminals with customs and immigration facilities, and infrastructure for rapid disembarkation and transfer to tour buses, sightseeing boats and nearby city attractions.

Q6. Are there new cruise routes from China to Quang Ninh?
Yes. Since late 2024, cruise routes from Chinese ports such as Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Beihai have been gradually restored and expanded. Ships including Blue Dream Melody and Star Voyager now operate sailings that bring thousands of Chinese and Hong Kong based visitors to Ha Long, complementing long-haul itineraries from Europe, North America and Japan.

Q7. What are Quang Ninh’s tourism goals for the next few years?
Quang Ninh aims to keep increasing both total visitors and international arrivals. After surpassing 21 million visitors in 2025 ahead of schedule, the province is targeting higher tourism revenue and working toward welcoming between 4 and 4.5 million international tourists annually in the coming years, with cruise tourism identified as a key pillar of that strategy.

Q8. How does cruise tourism benefit local communities in Quang Ninh?
Cruise tourism creates demand for guides, transport services, small boats, restaurants, entertainment venues and handicraft producers. Many shore excursions incorporate community-based experiences in villages and traditional craft areas, which bring direct income to local households and encourage the preservation of cultural heritage and local cuisine.

Q9. What measures are being taken to protect Ha Long Bay as cruise numbers rise?
Authorities are tightening environmental regulations on waste management, emissions and anchoring, and are working to better control the number of boats and visitors at sensitive sites. Efforts also include promoting cleaner technologies for tourist boats, improving monitoring of water quality and encouraging tour designs that spread visitors across a wider range of attractions.

Q10. Can cruise passengers extend their stay in Quang Ninh after their ship departs?
In most cases, passengers are tied to their ship’s schedule, but some itineraries allow travelers to start or end their voyage in Vietnam, opening the possibility of pre- or post-cruise stays. Tourism authorities and travel agencies are increasingly promoting combined packages that add nights in Ha Long or Hanoi before or after a cruise, with the goal of converting day visitors into longer-stay guests.