3,500 Chinese tourists arrive in Ha Long on five-star cruise ship

Costa Serena cruise ship in Ha Long Bay, Sept. 30, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Le Tan

The tourists were divided into smaller groups to explore popular attractions in Ha Long. They returned to the ship in the evening to continued their journey.

According to a representative from Ha Long International Passenger Port, Costa Serena is one of the largest cruise ships to dock in Ha Long this year.

Owned by the Italian company Costa Cruises, Costa Serena provides itineraries across Asia, particularly Southeast Asia. The ship, which is over 290 meters long and 35.5 meters wide, offers a wide range of amenities, including swimming pools, restaurants, a water park, a gym, and entertainment facilities.

Although the ship has visited Vietnam many times, this is its first visit to Ha Long.

Chinese tourists aboard Costa Serena cruise ship in Ha Long, Quang Ninh Province, Sept. 30 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Le Tan

Industry experts said cruise tourism is gradually recovering after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ha Long Bay is expected to welcome around 60-70 cruise ships this year, carrying an estimated 70,000 passengers.

Two weeks after typhoon Yagi hit on Sept. 7, Ha Long Bay received nearly 40,000 visitors, with almost 90% being international tourists from South Korea, India, Europe, and America.

Despite significant losses caused by the typhoon, Quang Ninh remains committed to achieving its 2024 goal of welcoming 19 million tourists, including 3.5 million international visitors.