Finding a way to welcome international cruise ships to Nha Trang Bay

On October 16, Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism sent an urgent document to the Provincial People's Committee, proposing to remove difficulties for international cruise tourism businesses.

This is the move of Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism after a meeting with relevant units to find solutions to continue receiving international cruise ships in the coming time. In the context of Nha Trang Port temporarily stopping receiving guests for investment and upgrading since September 20, a number of international cruise lines have begun to cancel their trips.

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

Previously, the authorities of Khanh Hoa province proposed two options to solve the difficulties for cruise tourism, one is to pick up the ship at Ana Marina Nha Trang marina (north of Nha Trang city); or the other is to pick up at Cam Ranh International Port (Cam Ranh city).

However, the Department of Tourism said that although Ana Marina Port meets the standards, this area does not have an international ship anchorage area. Currently, Ana Marina Port only has Anchorage Area A (near Nha Trang Port), the distance to the port is more than 4 nautical miles, so it is not possible to use tenders to bring visitors there.

In the above document, the Department of Tourism proposed that the People's Committee of Khanh Hoa province request the Department of Transport to preside over and guide Ana Marina Nha Trang Joint Stock Company to contact the competent authority to carry out the survey procedure and announce the new anchorage area near Ana Marina Marina in accordance with the provisions of law to facilitate the reception and service of international ships in this area,...

The Department of Tourism also requested the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee to direct the Department of Transport to coordinate with the Nha Trang Maritime Port Authority, Nha Trang City People's Committee, the Border Guard Command and relevant units to study and survey the Nha Trang Tourist Wharf and areas that can receive tenders from international ships anchored in the announced areas to welcome guests, while waiting for the announcement of the new anchorage area at Ana Marina Nha Trang Port.

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

Regarding Cam Ranh International Port, according to the Department of Tourism, although it has international standard infrastructure and wharf; convenient for large international ships to dock and anchor; passengers can go ashore and get off the ship without having to transfer. However, the Port is far from the center of Nha Trang City (about 60 km), the travel time to and from by road is about 3-4 hours, while the ship anchoring at the Port is only 8-10 hours/trip for visitors.

The Department of Tourism believes that the solution to redirect international ships to Cam Ranh International Port is difficult and requires a long-term implementation plan, because shipping lines often sell tour tickets to customers 1-3 years in advance. In addition, bringing international ships to Cam Ranh International Port will incur additional costs; the current procedures for entering and exiting the port have not been specifically and publicly issued so that businesses can proactively build tour schedules./.

Cruise tourism is one of the unique tourism products of Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa in the past two years, attracting a large number of international tourists to the locality, contributing to promoting the tourism image.

In 2023, Khanh Hoa received 25 cruise ships with 45,874 visitors ashore; in the first 6 months of 2024, Khanh Hoa received 27 international cruise ships with more than 55,516 visitors; it is expected that in the last 3 months of the year, Khanh Hoa will continue to receive 17 international cruise ships.

However, the temporary suspension of Nha Trang Port to receive passengers for investment and upgrading has led to a number of international shipping lines canceling their scheduled trips. Specifically, Hai Dang Nha Trang Maritime Agency Co., Ltd. announced the cancellation of 7 trips, and is expected to continue canceling trips in January 2025; Thien Y Maritime Transport Services Co., Ltd. is planning to cancel all cruises in 2025 when there is no alternative to Nha Trang Port.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/tim-phuong-an-don-tau-bien-du-lich-quoc-te-den-vinh-nha-trang-20241016190006822.htm