Ha Long International Cruise Port, the gateway to the World Heritage site Ha Long Bay, is expected in 2026 to welcomeabout 90 ships and about 150,000cruise passengers. On New Year's Day the cruise ship "Celebrity Solstice" made its first call carrying 3,018 passengers and 1,222 crew. Cruise tourism centered on high-spending Western guests — from the US, Germany, the UK, Canada, China, and more — is getting into full swing. Quang Ninh province sets a goal of 22 million tourists (of which 5.2 million international) in 2026.
3,018 people land on New Year's Day
On January 1, 2026, Ha Long International Cruise Port welcomed the year's first international ship, Celebrity Solstice (3,018 passengers, 1,222 crew). Most passengers were affluent Westerners, a segment with high demands for experiences. The large call right at the start of the year became an event symbolizing cruise tourism's strong performance.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| 2026 cruise ships | about 90 ships and about 150,000 |
| First call of the new year | Celebrity Solstice (3,018 passengers, 1,222 crew) |
| Main markets | US, Germany, UK, Canada, China, and other European markets |
| Provincial goal | 22 million tourists (5.2 million international) / revenue about 65 trillion VND |
The aim of affluent-cruise tourism
Quang Ninh province expects about 90 ships and 150,000 cruise passengers in 2026, targeting high-value markets like the US, Germany, the UK, Canada, and China. Since cruise passengers spend all at once at the port of call, the ripple to tourism, dining, and souvenirs is large. The province also stages more than 80 cultural, sports, and tourism events a year to raise the appeal of a port call.
Background: port development and route expansion
In addition to the development of Ha Long International Cruise Port, the connecting route from Ha Long Bay to Lan Ha Bay has gone into operation. With the flow from port call to touring in place, the capacity to receive large ships has risen further. Cruises play a role in broadening "Vietnam's gateway" to the north as well.
Impact on readers
As large cruise ships increasingly call, Ha Long Bay's popular spots tend to get crowded during the day on port-call days. If you visit on an individual trip, aiming for time slots that dodge the ships' arrival schedule lets you enjoy the World Heritage site at ease. Early morning or an overnight cruise are strong options for avoiding crowds.
Summary
The scale of 90 ships and 150,000 people shows that Ha Long Bay is changing from a "World Heritage site to gaze at" into a "port where the world's affluent land." The changing of the guard for northern tourism is starting from the sea.
Related reading:
・Ultra-luxury resorts at 25,000 dollars a night appear one after another
・Vietnam's international tourists reach 10.6 million in five months
・Phu Quoc Night Market complete edition
Source:Vietnam.vn
