On October 17, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism informed about receiving international passenger ships at ports in the Cai Mep - Thi Vai area.
Recently, the number of international passenger ships to the Cai Mep - Thi Vai area has recorded an increasing trend, affirming Ho Chi Minh City's increasingly clear position on the map of regional cruise ship tourism destinations.
In 2024, the region welcomed 65 trains with about 287,000 visitors. In 2025, it is expected that there will be 48 trips with about 180,000 visitors, mainly large-scale luxury ships with long-term schedules. By the end of 2026, about 118 ships had registered to dock with a total of more than 260,000 international visitors.
In order to ensure the safe, convenient and efficient operation of welcoming international passenger ships to Ho Chi Minh City, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism has issued a document reporting to the City People's Committee. At the same time, to the Ho Chi Minh City Maritime Port Authority, the Department of Construction proposed to coordinate and create conditions to support travel agencies in organizing the pick-up and drop-off of international tourists at ports in the Cai Mep - Thi Vai area.
Based on the synthesis of recommendations from international travel agencies and maritime agents on difficulties in the process of receiving ships, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism urgently compiled information and reported to Ho Chi Minh City on the proposal to pilot receiving international passenger ships in the Cai Mep - Thi Vai area until the end of December 2026.
The pilot period helps units have more facilities to complete additional procedures according to the law. At the same time, support management agencies in assessing practices and preparing for the official operation phase.
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism will continue to closely coordinate with the Maritime Port Authority and relevant authorities to ensure the smooth and safe reception of international passenger ships, contributing to promoting sea tourism activities.
Previously, on October 15, Royal Caribbean Group (RCG) sent a document to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and relevant agencies regarding the receipt of international cruise ships in the Cai Mep - Thi Vai area (Ho Chi Minh City).
This sudden cancellation of the route has caused the ovation of the Seas ship carrying more than 4,000 passengers to not be able to arrive at Tan Cang - Cai Mep Port as planned.
If this problem is not resolved, ports in the Ho Chi Minh City area cannot receive large international passenger ships, forcing the group to remove Ho Chi Minh City from the list of destinations in the program of activities in Asia.
Saigontourist Travel Service Company also sent a document to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism to support the proposal to unify the policy for container ports and general ports in the Cai Mep - Thi Vai area to be piloted to receive international passenger ships to ensure travel activities.
