Ho Chi Minh City ready to welcome international cruise tourists via Cai Mep - Thi Vai Port

The Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) recently held a press conference to provide updates on socio-economic issues in the city. 

At the press conference, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thao, Head of the Tourism Resources Development Planning Division at the HCMC Department of Tourism, announced the pilot program to receive international cruise passengers at Cai Mep – Thi Vai Port until June 2026.

From now until June 2026, the Department of Tourism will continue to work with the port authorities in the area to finalize the application for a pilot plan to receive international cruise passengers.

Ms. Thao noted that the area was initially developed as a cargo port, not for passenger services. To accommodate passengers, both infrastructure and workforce at the port need to be properly prepared—especially as the number of cruise tourists rises, requiring careful planning to meet demand.

The Department of Tourism will coordinate with travel agencies, related companies, and port clusters to ensure all necessary conditions are in place for better reception of international cruise ships. At the same time, it will consider plans to expand the port’s functions beyond the pilot phase.

Notably, following the direction of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, the Department of Construction has coordinated with other departments and agencies to propose priority investment projects for waterway transport, including the development of passenger ports.

From 2026 to 2030, three international passenger port projects are planned in the old Vung Tau area and the Khanh Hoi area of Ho Chi Minh City to meet the growing demand for cruise tourism.

Previously, authorities noted that the Cai Mep - Thi Vai port cluster is designated as a multi-purpose port handling containers, liquid/gas cargo, and bulk goods, and has not been planned as a dedicated area for receiving international cruise ships.

To welcome passengers, the port must complete procedures to obtain an updated maritime port operation certificate in accordance with current regulations.