Ho Chi Minh City - A Celebrity Cruises ship, carrying over 3,000 passengers and crew, arrived at Chan May port in the central province of Thua Thien - Hue on November 12. The passengers are set to visit several central localities, including Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang, and Quang Nam, as part of their cruise itinerary.
According to Vietnam News Agency, Deputy Director General of Chan May Port Joint Stock Company, cruise tourism is experiencing a robust recovery, with many travel firms booking visits to Chan May port. From January to September, the port welcomed 12 cruise ships carrying over 13,000 travelers. The port is expected to host 10 more international cruise ships by the end of this year.
Ngo Lam Thong, a US national and one of the passengers, shared his excitement about visiting the imperial citadel of Hue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, during the ship's ten-hour stopover. Returning to Vietnam after more than 20 years, Thong expressed his delight at the country's development and the quality of its tourism services.
Chan May port, capable of accommodating 70,000 DWT vessels and 225,000 GRT cruise ships, is among the 46 seaports in Southeast Asia selected by the Asia Cruise Association as a stopover for cruise ships. The Chan May Port Joint Stock Company has announced that 30 cruise ships with 48,000 passengers and 18,700 crew members are scheduled to dock at the port in 2024.