Khanh Hoa seeks ways to overcome difficulties for cruise tourism

Many international cruise ships cancel trips to Nha Trang

After the news that Nha Trang Port (Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province) temporarily stopped receiving international cruise ships from September 20, Mr. Do Thanh Long - Director of Hai Dang Nha Trang Maritime Agency Co., Ltd., said that 7 cruise ships that the company received in Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa at the end of this year were canceled, although the previous plan was that Hai Dang Agency would receive 10 cruise ships in the last months of 2024.

According to Mr. Long, the number of international cruise ships that have just been canceled has a total of 16,000 passengers, including many large ships with a capacity of 4,000 passengers (Quantum Of The Seas), 2,800 passengers (Celebrity Sostice),... From now until the end of the year, Hai Dang Agency still has 3 international cruise ships that have not been announced to be canceled, and in 2025, the list of international cruise ships of this unit is about 37 trips.

“Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa has long been an ideal and favorite destination for international cruise lines. Hai Dang Agent hopes that local authorities and relevant parties can find a feasible solution for the international cruise season in 2025,” Mr. Long shared.

International passenger ship arriving in Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa in 2023. Photo: Phuc Hau

After the bustling summer tourist season, the last months of the year are the time when Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa attracts international cruise tourists because of its fresh, cool air and beautiful natural scenery. In 2023, Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa welcomed 23 international cruise ships with over 45,000 visitors. In 2024, the locality plans to welcome 44 international cruise ships, and has so far welcomed 27 cruise ships with over 55,500 visitors.

However, according to Nha Trang Port Company, the structure of the 10,000 DWT wharf is currently showing signs of damage and is no longer suitable for receiving international passenger ships, forcing it to temporarily stop from September 20 for repairs. Agents and travel companies are concerned that many shipping lines will cancel their calls to Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa at the end of this year and in the following years.

Nha Trang Port is in the process of upgrading. Photo: Duc Thao

In November and December, Phuong Thang Trade Tourism Service Company Limited will welcome two Noordam ships to Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa, but Mr. Bui Minh Thang - director of this company also shared that the shipping company is considering canceling, and he is worried that Nha Trang will be removed from the 2025 tour schedule by ship owners.

“The fact that Nha Trang port stops receiving international cruise ships will greatly affect the plans of travel agencies serving this type of customer,” said Mr. Thang. He also added that cruise lines always plan 2-4 years in advance, and if they are canceled now, there is a risk that by 2027-2028, Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa will be “empty” of international cruise ships.

According to Mr. Thang, the characteristic of international cruise ships is that they carry a large number of passengers, up to thousands of people, of various nationalities. International tourists coming to Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa by cruise ship mainly visit, entertain and enjoy the local cultural identities.

Along with that, because international cruise tourists come from many different territories and countries, this is also an opportunity to promote the image of Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa to all over the world, Nha Trang Bay also becomes more sparkling when there are modern cruise ships anchored.

Cruise ship tourists visit Nha Trang City by cyclo. Photo: Thao Phat

Focus on removing difficulties for cruise tourism

Faced with the above situation, the authorities of Khanh Hoa province have proposed two options to overcome difficulties for cruise tourism. The first is to welcome cruise ships at Ana Marina Nha Trang (north of Nha Trang City), but the experts said that the current location of the marina for large cruise ships is quite far away, so using a passenger transfer ship (tender) would be difficult.

The second more suitable option is Cam Ranh International Port (Cam Ranh City), which has modern facilities, including 2 wharves that can receive passenger ships up to 226,000GT, located in a sheltered area, ensuring year-round maritime operations. However, most shipping lines have not agreed with this option, because the distance from Cam Ranh International Port to tourist attractions in Nha Trang City is up to 60km, wasting tourists' travel time. Along with that, there are additional costs for renting shuttle vehicles, tour guides, operators, etc. and having to complete procedures when the port is in a military control area.

Every year, Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa welcomes a huge number of tourists via cruise ships. Photo: Duc Thao

Mr. Cung Quynh Anh - Deputy Director of Khanh Hoa Province Department of Tourism, said that receiving guests at Cam Ranh International Port has certain advantages: modern facilities, capable of receiving the largest ships in the world; full sanitation areas, restaurants and sports fields for crew and tourists; no need to transfer guests by tender. Regarding the fact that guests are strictly controlled in entering and exiting according to military regulations, the Department has sent a document requesting Navy Region 4 to support and create favorable conditions for units to enter the port to serve cruise tourists.

To proactively overcome difficulties, at the end of September 2024, the tourism industry of Khanh Hoa province surveyed a number of tourist attractions, historical sites, and scenic spots in Cam Ranh City and Cam Lam District to build tours to serve international cruise tourists arriving at Cam Ranh International Port. Specifically, in Cam Ranh City, there are Dong Cuu - Suoi Tien Tourist Area, Natural Paradise Tourist Area, and Tu Van Pagoda; Cam Lam District has an ancient mango garden, a shop displaying mango products, etc. to ensure service for cruise tourists to visit, experience, and shop for products.

Mr. Pham Minh Nhut - Permanent Vice President of Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Tourism Association acknowledged that not being able to welcome cruise ship tourists is a pity for Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa tourism, losing a large source of visitors at the end of this year. "The most important thing now is for all parties to find a common voice to resolve difficulties in welcoming international cruise ships," Mr. Nhut emphasized.

According to Mr. Nhut, Tan Cang - Petro Cam Ranh Company Limited said that it will provide maximum support to invite cruise ships to agree to the plan to pick up passengers at Cam Ranh International Port. At the same time, it will provide free shuttle buses from the wharf to KN Cam Ranh Tourist Area. If not taking a tour, tourists can relax and experience the services at this tourist area or other resorts in Bai Dai, Cam Lam district.

"Tan Cang - Petro Cam Ranh Company Limited will support part of the costs for tour operators. If travel companies and shipping lines bear part of the additional costs arising from changing the pick-up point, they can still organize tours to take guests from Cam Ranh International Port to visit Nha Trang City," Mr. Nhut added.

Khanh Hoa tourism sector surveyed mango gardens in Cam Lam district, developing a tour program to serve cruise ship tourists visiting Cam Ranh International Port. Photo: Khanh Hoa Tourism Department

On October 9, Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee also issued an official dispatch requesting the Naval Region 4 Command to pay attention to supporting the provincial departments, branches and sectors, Tan Cang - Petro Cam Ranh Company Limited and tourism businesses to participate in welcoming and serving cruise ship tourists to Cam Ranh International Port conveniently and quickly.

In the first 9 months of 2024, Khanh Hoa province welcomed about 9 million overnight guests, an increase of 57.9% over the same period in 2023, reaching 100% of the 2024 plan. In the last months of 2024, Khanh Hoa aims to attract 1-2 million overnight guests, bringing the total number of visitors to the locality in 2024 to over 10 million./.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/khanh-hoa-tim-cach-go-kho-cho-du-lich-tau-bien-20241011162515018.htm