Measures sought to fully tap potential of cruise tourism

Vietnam records a significant increase in the number of international tourist arrivals by sea. (Photo: VNA) 

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam has recorded asignificant increase in the number of international tourist arrivals by sea since thebeginning of this year, indicating a strong rebound in the maritime tourismmarket with considerable potential for further development in the coming time.

Giant cruise ship firms such as Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and ResortWorld Cruises have promoted the exploitation of tours to Asia Pacific.

Vietnam is seen as an attractive market as the countrywelcomed many luxurious cruise ships carrying thousands of international travelersto localities across the Southeast Asian nation.

Most recently, Spectrum of the Seas of Royal CaribbeanCruise Lines with over 4,000 international visitors on board has docked at PhuMy port in the southern province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau.

Spectrum of the Seas - one of the world's top ten most luxurious cruise ships, docks at Tan Cang - Cai Mep Port in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province (Photo: vungtau.gov.vn)

This is the third arrival of Spectrum of the Seas - one ofthe world's top ten most luxurious cruise ships to Vietnam, and the second timeto Ba Ria – Vung Tau. In the remaining months of this year, the firm planned tocarry thousands of holidaymakers to Vietnam.

Jessica RedFord, Public Relations Manager of RoyalCaribbean Cruise Lines, announced that the firm has added two more journeys toVietnam in September and October. Tickets for these voyages have been already sold out. 

Nguyen Trung Khanh, General Director of the Vietnam NationalAuthority of Tourism (VNAT), said sea and island tourism is one of the spearheadtourism products of Vietnam, so attention has been paid to upgrading and developinginfrastructure at seaports, including Sai Gon in Ho Chi Minh City, and Nha Trang, QuyNhon and Tien Sa in the central provinces of Khanh Hoa, Binh Dinh and Da Nang, respectively.

Vietnam also has deep-sea port systems meeting the dockingdemand of large cruise ships such as Ha Long International Passenger Port in Quang Ninh, Chan May Port in ThuaThien – Hue, Tien Sa Port in Da Nang, and Dam Mon Port and Nha Trang Port in Khanh Hoa, he said.

Vietnam is ready to become along-term and frequent destination for travelers during their journeys to exploreAsia and Southeast Asia, he said, adding that some Vietnamese travel firms havesought to serve more travelers from international cruise ships.

According to Nguyen Minh Man, Communications - Marketing Director of TSTtourist, the travel demand for cruiseships and aircraft has sharply increased in 2023, especially the demand of Vietnamese tourists for cruiseitineraries in Asia is experiencing significant growth./. 

VNA