Published on October 18, 2025
Vietnam’s Cai Mep-Thi Vai ports are set to continue welcoming international cruise ships until June 2026, a strategic move aimed at boosting tourism growth in the southern region. This extension is a response to the rising demand for cruise tourism, with the government recognizing the importance of enhancing the port infrastructure to accommodate more global visitors. By extending operations and improving facilities, Vietnam is positioning its southern ports as a key hub for international cruises, helping to attract more travelers and support the local economy through increased tourism revenue and business opportunities.
Thi Vai port cluster, part of the Ho Chi Minh City seaport system, has been granted approval to accommodate international cruise ships until June 30, 2026. This decision, confirmed by the Ministry of Construction in an official document, aims to optimize the use of existing port infrastructure and address the increasing demand for tourism in the southern region of Vietnam.

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The decision specifically targets several key terminals within the Cai Mep – Thi Vai port cluster. These include Thi Vai, Thi Vai International Port, Tan Cang – Cai Mep Thi Vai Terminal, SP-SSA International Terminal, Tan Cang – Cai Mep International Terminal, PTSC Phu My Port, Petrochemical & Services Port Phu My, SP-PSA International Port, and Saigon International Terminals Vietnam. These terminals will now be able to handle international cruise ships, boosting the region’s attractiveness as a destination for global cruise tourism.
This extension is a critical step in addressing the growing demand for cruise tourism in the southern region of Vietnam. With Vietnam’s tourism industry witnessing consistent growth, the government recognizes the importance of ensuring the country’s ports can handle the increasing number of international cruise ships. This decision reflects a strategic move to maintain and enhance the country’s position as an attractive and competitive destination for global cruise liners.

In response to this development, the Vietnam Maritime and Inland Waterways Administration has been assigned the responsibility of ensuring that the decision is fully implemented according to industry regulations. This will involve overseeing the coordination of port operators and making sure that they are meeting all necessary standards for safe and efficient cruise operations.
To ensure smooth and seamless operations, the administration will guide the operators through a process of facility reviews, necessary upgrades, and ensuring compliance with all safety, security, fire prevention, and environmental standards. This proactive approach is crucial in ensuring the ports are fully equipped to handle international passengers safely and efficiently.

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The Vietnam Maritime and Inland Waterways Administration will also work closely with port operators to finalize all necessary procedures for adding passenger-handling functions to the ports. These upgrades must be completed before the June 2026 deadline, allowing the ports to be fully operational for international cruise ships. This expansion aims to enhance the ports’ capabilities, which are expected to play a pivotal role in boosting Vietnam’s cruise tourism industry.
This initiative comes after earlier challenges with the Cai Mep – Thi Vai port cluster, which had struggled to accommodate international cruise liners due to a lack of cruise-specific facilities. Several cruise lines had raised concerns about this deficiency, which led to operational disruptions. One of the most notable incidents was the rerouting of the Ovation of the Seas, a massive cruise ship carrying 4,000 passengers, which was forced to change its course after the ports were unable to handle its docking requirements.
The sudden rerouting of the cruise ship was a major setback for the region’s cruise tourism operations. The incident highlighted the need for urgent improvements in port infrastructure and the development of dedicated cruise-handling facilities. This was a significant disruption to the schedules of not only the Ovation of the Seas but also to the broader cruise tourism network that relies on the southern ports of Vietnam as key stops along the Southeast Asian cruising route.
The disruption, caused by a lack of cruise-handling functions, underscored the importance of updating and modernizing the port facilities to meet the specific needs of international cruise ships. Without these improvements, the ports risked losing their competitive edge in the fast-growing Southeast Asian cruise market. The ability to accommodate large vessels like the Ovation of the Seas is crucial for attracting more international cruise liners to Vietnam, ensuring that the country remains a top destination in the region.
In response to these challenges, the decision to approve the extension for handling international cruise ships at the Cai Mep – Thi Vai port cluster is a much-needed step forward. By providing the necessary infrastructure and operational improvements, the government is actively addressing the needs of cruise tourism. These changes will not only boost tourism numbers but also contribute to the economic growth of the southern region, which relies heavily on tourism for its economic development.
The announcement has been met with support from the cruise industry, as the development promises a more streamlined and effective approach to handling cruise passengers. As the ports undergo the necessary upgrades, the administration is working to ensure that all aspects of passenger experience are enhanced, from safety protocols to environmental standards, ensuring that the ports meet global industry expectations.
The expansion and development of these ports will also likely open up new opportunities for private-sector investment. With the southern region positioned as a hub for cruise tourism, investors and businesses can tap into the growing market by developing related services, including hotels, tour operators, and local attractions. This, in turn, will create jobs and further contribute to the region’s economic development.
As Vietnam continues to position itself as a major cruise tourism destination, the Cai Mep – Thi Vai port cluster’s expansion is a clear signal that the country is committed to meeting the growing needs of the global tourism market. With the completion of the necessary infrastructure upgrades before June 2026, these ports will be ready to accommodate the influx of international cruise ships, contributing to the region’s growth as a key player in Southeast Asia’s cruise tourism sector.
Vietnam’s Cai Mep-Thi Vai ports are set to welcome more international cruises through June 2026, driven by the need to enhance infrastructure and support growing tourism demand in the southern region. This extension aims to boost the local economy by attracting more global cruise ships and visitors.
The successful implementation of this plan will significantly boost Vietnam’s cruise tourism industry, attracting more international cruise ships and ensuring that the country remains a prime destination for tourists looking to explore Southeast Asia by sea.

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Tags: Tourism news, Travel News, Vietnam

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