To drive growth in the international visitor market, Quang Ninh is strengthening market connectivity, improving service quality and developing more resort and experiential tourism products. With a target of welcoming more than 23 million tourist arrivals in 2026, including around 5 million international arrivals, the final months of the year are an important period for the tourism sector to accelerate and fulfil the set targets.
Anticipating the peak period for international visitors, the newly built Athena Premium cruise ship was put into operation in October 2026. It is currently one of the largest and most high-end cruise vessels on Ha Long Bay, positioned as a “symbol of luxury resort experiences amid the Heritage Bay”. Alongside resort stays and cuisine reflecting Ha Long’s maritime culture, visitors can enjoy itineraries connecting with Bai Tu Long Bay, combined with on-board mineral hot spring wellness services. General Manager of Athena Group Le Tuan Kiet said the cruise ship is focusing on the high-end visitor segment, from product refinement to staff training and workforce preparation, with the aim of developing personalised experiences that better meet the requirements of high-spending travellers.
Alongside product upgrades, cruise operators are strengthening connections with international travel businesses, seeking new sources of visitors and developing services suited to individual markets. Russia is one of the markets Grand Pioneers is focusing on this year. The company is strengthening links with partners that have access to visitor sources, preparing personnel and studying the experience preferences of the Russian market. Understanding the characteristics of each visitor group enables the company to design suitable programmes instead of applying a single product to all markets.
The continued arrival of international cruise ships at Ha Long International Cruise Port is opening up further opportunities to increase international visitor flows to Quang Ninh. On October 13 and 14, the cruise ships Dream and Viking Venus brought around 3,700 visitors of various nationalities, including Americans, British, French and Chinese, to Quang Ninh for city tours and experiences of local culture and daily life. The cruise tourism market this year continues to expand in scale as more cruise lines deploy large vessels on itineraries calling at Ha Long port. Quang Ninh is projected to receive around 70 international cruise ship calls in 2026, bringing a total of around 100,000 tourist arrivals.
Alongside cruise visitors, Quang Ninh’s tourism sector and service businesses are continuing to expand connections with markets including India, Australia, Europe and Southeast Asian countries. Halal travellers are among the new segments being explored. Through familiarisation programmes and business networking activities, international travel companies have opportunities to directly experience tourism products, assess service capacity and develop programmes to bring visitors to Quang Ninh. Promotional activities are being implemented for specific markets, visitor groups and products, while linkages across the service supply chain are also being strengthened.
The addition of high-quality accommodation establishments is helping diversify tourism products and increase Quang Ninh’s capacity to receive international visitors year-round. In October 2026, Centara Hotel & Residences Van Don began operations, adding an internationally branded five-star resort product on the shores of Bai Tu Long Bay. In the Mong Cai border area, Tra Co Long Beach Hotel & Resort is contributing to improving accommodation quality and creating better conditions to tap the potential of the Tra Co National Tourism Area. Most recently, Legacy Yen Tu - MGallery Collection was awarded One MICHELIN Key by the MICHELIN Guide for 2026. It is the only accommodation establishment in Quang Ninh to be honoured on this year’s list.
Effectively tapping key markets, improving service quality and connecting tourism experiences are important conditions for Quang Ninh to fulfil its 2026 growth targets while increasing the value generated from each visitor trip.
