Regarding the reception of international passenger ships at ports in the Cai Mep - Thi Vai area, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism has just sent a report to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee on this issue.
Accordingly, the Cai Mep - Thi Vai area currently does not have a specialized port, so international passenger ships have to temporarily anchor at container ports or general ports.
In order to support businesses in welcoming and serving cruise ship tourists, while contributing to attracting international visitors to Ho Chi Minh City by sea, promoting economic development and enhancing the image and tourism brand of the city, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism proposed that the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee direct the Ho Chi Minh City Maritime Port Authority, the Department of Construction and related units to proactively resolve the issue for businesses.
At the same time, consider and approve the policy of allowing the pilot reception of international passenger ships at ports in the Cai Mep - Thi Vai area from now until the end of December 2026, while waiting for the completion of additional procedures according to regulations.
Regarding the impact of suddenly stopping receiving tourist ships at Cai Mep - Thi Vai port cluster, a representative of Saigontourist Travel Company - a partner of the ships ovation of the Seas carrying more than 4,000 tourists - said that because they are not allowed to dock at Cai Mep - Thi Vai port, the ships must change direction to Chan May port (Hue) instead of visiting Ho Chi Minh City as planned.
Lao Dong reported on October 15 that 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 caused the ovation of the Seas ship carrying more than 4,000 passengers to not be able to dock at Tan Cang - Cai Mep Port as planned, causing great damage to passengers and the group.
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.
From now until the end of April 2026, this enterprise plans to have about 15 international passenger ships with about 40,000 customers waiting to be received.
According to this enterprise, if not resolved in time, international shipping lines will be forced to cancel their trips in large numbers, causing serious damage to Ho Chi Minh City's tourism revenue. This sudden change will break the signed contracts of the unit and affect the reputation and image of national tourism in the eyes of international partners.
