In the first six months of this year, the province welcomed 3.2 million tourists, including 1.5 million foreigners, up 60% on-year. However, those who came to the locality by cruise was estimated at around 50,000 only. 

Nha Trang has great potential for cruise tourism

Nha Trang City is home to a deep-water port with four wharves which can receive cargo ships of 20,000 DWT and cruise ships of 60,780 GT. The port has diversified supporting services.

Under the Vietnamese seaport development plan until 2020, Nha Trang Port would be able to service international cruises of from 100,000 GT. The plan has been carried out by a local firm.

Last year, the port received 61 international cruises with a total number of 103,000 passengers compared to just 49 cruises with 53,000 people in 2015. Next year, the tourist number is expected to be higher.

Nguyen Thi Le Thanh, deputy director of Khanh Hoa Province’s Department of Tourism, said that Cam Ranh Port welcomed 11 cruises with 17,800 travellers in 2017.

At a recent conference on Khanh Hoa tourism development, Tran Hung Viet, chairman of HCM City Tourism Association and General Director of Saigontourist, said that the province attracted many tourism projects thanks to its abundant advantages.

He, however, suggested that Khanh Hoa needs to upgrade wharves and raise the capacity of tour guides. The locality also needs to have more attractive tourist sites, instead of just focusing on popular ones such as Long Son Pagoda and Ponagar Temple Tower.

A representative from Tictours Nha Trang Company said that the city needs to improve tourism service quality as well as the urban hygiene.

According to Thanh, this year, Khanh Hoa has considered adding more regulations on cruise tourism. The province will pay more attention to promoting local tourism products. Tran Son Hai, deputy chairman of Khanh Hoa People’s Committee admitted poor investment in local tourism promotion.