The French luxury cruise ship Le Lapérouse transported 88 foreign tourists to Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday, making it the first international cruise line to arrive in Vietnam after a two-year suspension induced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ship is docking at the Saigon Port in District 4.

The port management board and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism on Sunday also held a ceremony to welcome the travelers on board.

Nguyen Le Chon Tam, general director of Saigon Port JSC, said the Le Lapérouse cruise ship came back to Vietnam at the beginning of the peak travel season and after two years of hibernation due to the pandemic.

This is the first international cruise ship to carry foreign travelers to the Southeast Asian country since March 2020.

Over the past few months, the port has taken the initiative in coordinating with travel companies and agents to welcome the cruise ship in a safe manner and in line with medical regulations, Tam said.

“The welcome of this cruise ship proves that Vietnam is a safe destination which is willing to open its door to tourists and join forces with other sectors to help the economy recover,” he added.

According to Le Truong Hien Hoa, deputy director of the municipal Department of Tourism, to welcome cruise lines, the city’s tourism sector has prepared catering, entertainment, and shopping services.

“In addition, the department joined hands with travel agents, shipping firms, and ports to ensure that tourists can use the best services during their stay in the city, including exploring the nighttime economy,” Hoa noted.

Le Lapérouse arrived from the Ben Dam Port in Ho Chi Minh City’s neighbor Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, allowing passengers to visit tourist destinations in Con Dao District.

The cruise ship departed from Indonesia on September 20 and passed through Singapore before reaching Vietnam.

Travelers onboard the Le Lapérouse come from countries worldwide, including the U.S., France, Germany, Canada, Brazil, Belgium, Switzerland, Australia, and New Zealand.

The cruise ship will dock at the Saigon Port until October 5, when it leaves the city for Nha Trang Port in Khanh Hoa Province, Quy Nhon Port in Binh Dinh Province, Tien Sa Port in Da Nang City, Chan May Port in Thua Thien-Hue Province, Hon La Port in Quang Binh Province, and Ha Long Port in Quang Ninh Province.

During their stay in Ho Chi Minh City, passengers will take part in a city tour, go shopping, and experience catering and entertainment services.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!