Vietnamese sea tourism has received a record number of tourists visiting the country via luxury cruise ships as two U.S.-operated liners arrived at the coastal city of Vung Tau and the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on Tuesday.
Voyager Of The Seas docked in Vung Tau for a one-day visit before leaving for the next country in its itinerary, while Thua Thien-Hue is the second destination during a five-day trip through all three parts of Vietnam of the Celebrity Millennium, according to Vietnamese tour operator Saigontourist.
Celebrity Millennium arrived in Vung Tau on Sunday to begin a tour through Vung Tau, Hue, and Ha Long from April 6 to 10.
The luxury cruise ships, both operated by the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, collectively carried more than 8,500 holidaymakers and crew members.
This is considered the highest number of cruise tourists the country has ever welcomed, according to Vietnam News agency.
During their day-long stay in Vung Tau, 3,500 passengers and crew members on the Voyager Of The Seas were able to explore the coastal city and learn about the lifestyle of local people.
They were also taken to Ho Chi Minh City, some 100km from Vung Tau, for excursions and shopping around the city before visiting the famous Cu Chi tunnels.
Meanwhile, some 5,000 people aboard the Celebrity Millennium were visiting the UNESCO-recognized heritage sites in central Vietnam, including the former capital city of Hue, the ancient town of Hoi An, and the My Son Sanctuary.
Celebrity Millennium passengers will spend their last two days in Vietnam exploring Ha Long Bay in the northern province of Bac Ninh.
Touring around Vung Tau, Hue, and Ha Long is preferred by many international cruise ship operators as it gives tourists a chance to explore multiple regions of Vietnam, according to Saigontourist.
The HCMC-based tour operator has served more than 80 international luxury cruise ships in the first three months of this year.
The cruise passengers are from around the world while the liners belong to such big names as Star Cruises, Costa Crociere S.p.A, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, the company said.
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