Ho Chi Minh City is building three ports to promote cruise tourism.
c: Ha Long Port
Between 2026 and 2030, Ho Chi Minh City will invest in three international passenger ports in the historic Vung Tau and Khanh Hoi areas to develop cruise tourism and welcome international visitors.
Representatives of the Ho Chi Minh City Ministry of Tourism announced this at a press conference on October 23.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thao, Director of the Tourism Development Department, stated that the Cai Mep – Thi Vai area is currently primarily a cargo port and not specifically designed for passengers. To accommodate international cruise ships, the city needs more time to complete the infrastructure and prepare staffing and service operations.
“By June 2026, the Ministry of Tourism, in coordination with the Cai Mep – Thi Vai Port Authority, will develop a dossier and a pilot plan for welcoming international passenger ships. At the same time, we are exploring the possibility of expanding existing ports to include passenger capabilities, rather than remaining at the pilot stage,” Ms. Thao said.
At the direction of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, the Ministry of Construction, in coordination with relevant ministries and departments, has compiled a list of priority investment projects for water transport, including international passenger ports.
The Ministry has completed the preliminary feasibility study and submitted an investment proposal to the City People's Committee for the Vung Tau International Passenger Port project to meet the rapidly increasing demand for maritime transport and tourism.
According to the plan approved by the Prime Minister, the Cai Mep port area will serve as an international gateway and transit port, while the Thi Vai port area will be dedicated to interregional socio-economic development.
The Ministry of Construction has authorized the reception of international passenger ships at certain ports in the Cai Mep-Thi Vai area until June 30, 2026, thus enabling Ho Chi Minh City to prepare infrastructure and synchronized investment plans with the aim of continuing to welcome international visitors beyond 2026.