(Vietnam Visa Information)
On June 9, the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) in
conjunction with the People’s Committee of Khanh Hoa Province organized a
seminar on “Cruise tourism development” under the framework of
International Sea Travel Expo Nha Trang – Viet Nam 2013 (ISTE Nha Trang -
Vietnam 2013).
The
event attracted the participation of Mr. Tran Son Hai, Vice Chairman of
the People’s Committee of Khanh Hoa Province, Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan,
Director General of VNAT and more than 100 representatives of provinces,
tourism organizations of ASEAN countries, international cruise
operators, tour operators…
Speaking
at the seminar, Director General Nguyen Van Tuan said, Viet Nam has
many advantages to develop cruise tourism thanks to its geographical
location in the dynamic developing area of Southeast Asia, in the
important traffic routes on the East Sea. Viet Nam has 3,260km coastline
and rich sea tourism resources. Recently, Viet Nam has invested in
modernizing sea ports system in order to develop sea tourism. Viet Nam
tourism sector has also exchanged experience with ASEAN countries which
has developed cruise tourism. The sector expect to attract cruise
tourists from key markets such as Europe, Americas, East Asia, Oceania…
In
2012, Viet Nam drew over 285,000 cruise arrivals via main ports like Ha
Long, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City… In 5
months of 2013, the number of cruise arrivals increased by 4.1% over the
same period last year. However, this number occupied a small percentage
of total international arrivals to Viet Nam (around 4 % - 5%).
In
the seminar, Mr. Nguyen Quy Phuong – Head of Travel Department (under
VNAT) pointed out the reasons of this situation relating to the
infrastructure, quality service in sea ports, cruise tourism products,
business capacity, policies, quality tourism human resource …
Being
aware of the situation, participants proposed some solutions as:
strengthening cruise tourism promotion to key markets, upgrading
facilities for cruise ports, reforming customs procedures, enhancing
inter-agency coordination, diversifying cruise tourism products,
improving quality of human resource…
Hong Thanh
