Quang Ninh, May 1 -- The northern province of Quang Ninh offered a warm welcome for some 1,700 passengers, mostly Japanese, who disembarked from the Pacific World cruise ship at Ha Long International Cruise Port on April 30.

The visit, a milestone for the province, marked the first time it has hosted a fully chartered cruise ship from Japan, signaling a new chapter in its burgeoning tourism industry.

The Pacific World, operated by Japan's Peace Boat Company, departed from Yokohama and made several international stops before anchoring in Ha Long, a coastal city famed for its emerald waters and limestone karsts. The arrival opened the door to direct sea routes linking Japanese ports with Quang Ninh, a move local officials hope will attrac...