With such a potential seaport, why hasn't Binh Dinh welcomed many tourist ships?

Quy Nhon Port (Binh Dinh) has welcomed a number of international cruise ships - Photo: DUNG NHAN

According to travel companies, cruise tourists often travel in large groups and spend a lot of money, but the number of times Binh Dinh welcomes this source of tourists is still quite modest, not commensurate with its potential.

Advantages from Quy Nhon port and tourism products

Quy Nhon Port is located in the city, near tourist attractions - Photo: DUNG NHAN

According to Binh Dinh Tourism Promotion Center, by the end of 2024, the province will welcome two cruise ships bringing tourists to Quy Nhon port.

On December 2, 2024, the Le Laperouse ship (French nationality) brought 137 international tourists and 112 crew members to visit some tourist attractions. On December 13, 2024, the Le Laperouse ship continued to bring international tourists and 110 crew members to the locality.

This is a very modest number compared to the strengths and potential of Binh Dinh's cruise ship passengers, according to experts and businesses.

Mr. Bui Minh Thang - Director of Phuong Thang Trade and Tourism Service Company Limited - commented that Quy Nhon port is a general port located in Quy Nhon Bay, with Phuong Mai peninsula as a shelter, windproof, natural depth of shipping channel and wharf, very convenient for ships to anchor and receive all kinds of tourist ships.

According to Mr. Thang, Quy Nhon Port, in addition to its infrastructure, is also located within the city. Tourists can visit destinations in a short time as soon as they get off the ship. Meanwhile, in other localities, cruise ship tourists have to travel long distances. For example, to Hue city, Da Nang city..., tourists have to get off at Chan May port; Nha Trang port, although located within the city, is currently temporarily closed to receiving cruise ships, visitors have to go to Cam Ranh international port, then transfer by bus to Nha Trang city...

In addition, Binh Dinh has rural tourism products and cultural experiences that cruise ship passengers really like, such as traditional craft villages making hats, making Bau Da wine, traditional martial arts, etc. Just design a tour and connect the points to attract tourists.

Despite having many advantages, for cruise tourists, Binh Dinh is still very new compared to other localities such as Vung Tau, Nha Trang...

"I think Binh Dinh needs to organize seminars, invite cruise companies and shipping lines to introduce local strengths...

Cruise passengers only travel seasonally, from October of the previous year to March of the following year. International cruise companies have to schedule and plan 1-2 years in advance, so they need to promote early," Mr. Thang suggested.

Plan to attract strong cruise ship customers

Binh Dinh has many cultural and tourism products with strong traditional characteristics - Photo: MINH CHIEN

In March 2025, Chairman of Binh Dinh Provincial People's Committee Pham Anh Tuan had a meeting with international travel agencies to attract international cruise ship passengers. He said that in the future, Quy Nhon port will become a tourist port, and the cargo port will move to Phu My.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Chung - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Binh Dinh - said that the department was assigned by the province to develop a plan to promote welcoming international cruise ship passengers. It is expected that in April 2025, the department will submit the plan to the competent authority. Then in May, it will organize a famtrip, inviting international travel agencies and cruise companies to survey Binh Dinh tourism products.

Ms. Chung also hopes that the upcoming promotion of the locality will be in time to welcome cruise ship passengers by the end of this year, building Binh Dinh as a destination and top choice for international cruise ships.

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MINH CHIEN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cang-bien-day-the-manh-sao-binh-dinh-chua-don-nhieu-tau-bien-du-lich-20250417154028346.htm