My Tho cruise port in My Tho City, located in Tien Giang Province in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region, has welcomed over 170 international tourists aboard the five-star Viking Saigon cruise ship, marking the city's first international cruise ship arrival of the lunar year 2025.

According to Luong Thi Diem Trang, director of My Tho Port Joint Stock Company, the tourists who arrived on Wednesday morning, the first day of the Year of the Snake, were from the UK, France, the U.S., the Netherlands, and others.

Later that afternoon, the Viking Saigon continued its journey from My Tho, transporting another group of international travelers from the city to Cambodia.

This image features the five-star international cruise ship Viking Saigon, which brought tourists from the U.S., the UK, Canada, and Australia to My Tho Cruise Port in My Tho City, Tien Giang Province, on January 29, 2025. Photo: A.X. / Tuoi Tre

"We prepared a traditional Vietnamese welcome for the guests with a lion dance and conical hat presentation.

“The tourists were happy as they felt the kindness and hospitality of My Tho and Tien Giang," Trang said.

The cruise port is also expected to host over 1,000 additional visitors who will explore Tien Giang’s islets and the nearby Ben Tre Province in the coming time, she added.

Two foreign tourists from the five-star cruise ship Viking Saigon arrive at My Tho Cruise Port in My Tho City, Tien Giang Province, on January 29, 2025. Photo: Hoai Thuong / Tuoi Tre

According to the Tien Giang Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the province welcomed 25,517 visitors between January 28 and 29, representing a 66.4 percent increase from the same period last year.

Among these, 1,748 were international travelers, a 37.1 percent year-on-year growth.

Popular attractions in Tien Giang include Thoi Son Islet, Dong Tam Snake Farm, Lien Hoa Pagoda, Dong Hoa Hiep ancient village, Tan Thanh Beach, Sau Hoi Apple Garden, and Yen Village tourist area.

Luong Thi Diem Trang (C), director of My Tho Port Joint Stock Company in My Tho City, Tien Giang Province, presents a ‘non la’ (Vietnamese palm-leaf conical hat) to the head of the international tourist group (R) upon their arrival at My Tho Cruise Port on January 29, 2025. Photo: Hoai Thuong / Tuoi Tre

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