The cruise route from Beihai (China) to Ha Long (Vietnam) was once bustling for 10 years, starting in 1998. However, for many reasons, this route has stopped operating.
On November 16, 2024, this tour route officially restarted with the Blue Dream Melody cruise ship docking at Ha Long International Passenger Port carrying 1,200 Chinese tourists.
At the end of 2024, this ship will continue to return to Ha Long twice, bringing 1,500 more tourists.
According to Hon Gai Tourism and Service Joint Stock Company - Quang Ninh Branch, when coming to Ha Long, cruise ship tourists can expand their journey to Hanoi - Ninh Binh by road or extend their tour by sea to Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.
The tour price for the entire package of the Bac Hai - Ha Long route ranges from 1,000 - 1,500 yuan (equivalent to 3.5 - 5.3 million VND/guest). Tours include two nights on the train, meals and some other services.
Mr. Nguyen Lam Nguyen - Deputy Director of Quang Ninh Department of Tourism - said: "Quang Ninh and businesses are coordinating with China to develop more tours from Vietnam to the North Sea, helping to increase the number of tourists traveling between the two sides".
In 2025, it is expected that there will be about 70 international cruise ships from many countries such as the UK, France, Germany, China, etc., bringing about 90,000 visitors to Ha Long International Passenger Port. In particular, during the peak period in November 2025, it is expected that there will be 3 trains per week on the Beihai - Ha Long route.
Mr. Nguyen Ha Hai - Director of Hon Gai Tourism and Service Joint Stock Company - said that the tourist route is currently only operated in one direction from Bac Hai to Ha Long. In 2025, the company and travel agencies are studying the opposite direction, bringing Vietnamese tourists to the Bai Hai and other famous tourist destinations in China by sea.
The journey is expected to last 4 days 3 nights or 5 days 4 nights, including 2 nights on the ship and 1-2 nights on shore.
According to statistics, from 2016 to April 2020, Quang Ninh welcomed more than 5 million Chinese visitors, accounting for nearly 30% of the total number of international visitors. However, after the COVID-19 pandemic, this market recovered slowly.
In 2024, Quang Ninh welcomed 551,000 overnight Chinese visitors and 370,500 entry through Mong Cai International Border Gate.
The opening of a cruise route from Ha Long to Bac Hai not only helps diversify tourism products but also creates more motivation for Quang Ninh to reach 20 million visitors in 2025, including 4.5 million international visitors, with tourism revenue of about 50,000 billion VND.
