The number of foreign tourists travelling to Vietnam by sea has sharply fallen in recent months, although Vietnam is said to have strong potential to become a centre for sea tourism in the Southeast Asian region.

Statistics from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) show that around 50,000 visitors came to Vietnam by ship in the first eight months of the year, making up only 2.1 percent of the total number of foreign tourists flocking to the country in the period, and much lower than the 2008 figure of 3.6 percent.

Head of the VNAT’s Department of Travel Vu The Binh attributed the drop to limitations in infrastructure at Vietnam ’s seaports, few of which specialise in welcoming tourist vessels. Also, travellers find the voyage monotonous, and procedures to enter Vietnam by sea are complicated.

This has turned seafaring foreign visitors into passengers in transit, who have very little opportunity to visit, enjoy recreational activities and go shopping at tourist sites in Vietnam .

Meanwhile, Vietnam set a target to host 1 million foreign visitors by sea by 2015. To reach the target, the Southeast Asian nation is making efforts to establish relations with the world’s major shipping companies and boost its research into the sea tourism market.

The VNAT has also asked the Government to consider a master plan to identify famous tourist spots accessible by sea, make port fees more competitive and create favourable conditions to welcome foreign-flagged passenger ships.

Vietnam now ranks 27 out of 156 sea-bordering countries for its 3,260 km- long coastal line and hundreds of wonderful beaches and charming landscapes./.