Despite the global economic downturn, the number of foreign tourists traveling to Vietnam by sea increased sharply in the first seven months of this year.
On July 28, General Director of the Saigontourist Company, Tran Hung Viet, said that his company received 145,000 sea travelers in the first seven months, representing a fourfold increase over the same period last year. Most of these tourists come from Europe, the US and Japan.
Viet said most of the visitors came to Vietnam to attend seminars and trade fairs and go sightseeing for a few days, but they spent a lot of money purchasing goods and staying at five-star resorts.
Vietnam has a very long coastline, which is favourable for sea tourism. Foreign cruise ships run along the coastline and dock at various places such as Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Danang and Haiphong.