Foreign travel engulfs Khanh Hoa with the influx of approximately 19,000 non-resident tourists indulging in cruise tourism.
Khanh Hoa, Vietnam, has been a popular destination for international cruise ships this year, with 16 vessels docking at Cam Ranh International Port since the start of 2025. The latest arrival was the Ms Viking Yidun on August 4, bringing 210 tourists from China, Canada, and Italy ashore.
The disembarked tourists have enjoyed Khanh Hoa's scenic landscapes, cultural, religious, and artistic landmarks, local cuisine, and sightseeing tours. They visited the ancient Ponagar Tower, Truong Son craft village, and Long Son Pagoda, among other attractions.
The influx of cruise ships not only boosts the local economy but also enhances cultural exchange and mutual understanding between Khanh Hoa and the visiting countries. The cruise ships from Japan, for instance, will be divided into groups for excursions to Ha Long Bay, the city, and possibly nearby Hai Phong or rural villages. Approximately 1,700 tourists from Japan are scheduled to visit Ha Long Bay by cruise ship.
Khanh Hoa People's Committee has taken steps to facilitate the influx of more cruise ship tourists. They have removed transport bottlenecks to ensure smooth operations and a pleasant experience for the visitors.
The cruises have helped boost the local economy by providing opportunities for tourism-related businesses. The total tourism revenue in Khanh Hoa has reached 42.379 trillion VND (1.61 billion USD) since the start of the year. This figure is expected to rise as Khanh Hoa welcomes four more cruise ships carrying approximately 12,000 visitors before the end of 2025.
The increase in cruise ship arrivals reflects positive momentum in the province's cruise tourism recovery and development. This resurgence in international cruise tourism is not unique to Khanh Hoa. Vietnam has seen a strong resurgence in international cruise tourism, welcoming nearly 45,000 cruise ship passengers in January alone.
The shift of cruise arrivals from Nha Trang Port to Cam Ranh International Port is due to ongoing renovation and upgrade works at the former. The move has been beneficial for Cam Ranh, as it has become a significant hub for cruise tourism in Vietnam.
Vietnam's positioning as a potential key destination for international cruise tourism continues to grow. The country's beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality make it an attractive destination for cruise ship operators and passengers alike.
[1] Khanh Hoa welcomes international cruise ships (Vietnam News, 2025) [2] Cruise tourism in Khanh Hoa sees surge in 2025 (Vietnam Insider, 2025) [3] Khanh Hoa's tourism revenue reaches record high (Vietnam Plus, 2025) [4] Cruise ships help boost Khanh Hoa's economy (VietnamNet Bridge, 2025) [5] Khanh Hoa gears up for cruise tourism boom (Vietnam Tourism, 2025)
- As a result of the influx of international cruise ships, tourists from various countries like China, Canada, Italy, and Japan have experienced the scenic landscapes, rich cultural landmarks, local cuisine, and sightseeing tours of Khanh Hoa, Vietnam, enhancing cultural exchange and mutual understanding.
- The travelers embarked on tours to explore attractions such as the ancient Ponagar Tower, Truong Son craft village, and Long Son Pagoda, but upcoming arrivals will also visit Ha Long Bay and possibly Hai Phong or rural villages, further highlighting the potential of Khanh Hoa as a popular travel destination for international cruise passengers.
