Vietnam, which is crisscrossed by thousands of streams and rivers with the coastline of 3,200 km, has a great chance to further develop sea tourism, Le Dinh Tuan, General Director of Celadon International Tourism Consultating Company said, urging the country should better tap the potential to promote its tourism and the image.
Vietnam has the letter “S” shape from the northernmost point to the southernmost point that is adjacent to the sea. The sea is sometimes rough from May to October while the climate is very beautiful in the central region; the sea is very blue with sunlight and wind. In the north, the sea is deep blue in autumn.
With hundreds of sea destinations located throughout the country, especially in the central region, tourists will have chances to enjoy numerous interesting sea-related activities and festivals at beautiful beaches whenever traveling to Vietnam.
Along Vietnam's coast are a series of large ports, such as the ones at Haiphong, Danang, Qui Nhon, Cam Ranh, Vung Tau, and Saigon. There are thousands of islands and islets scattered offshore from north to south. Among the most popular tourist destinations are the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa Archipelagos.
Besides, the sea of Vietnam has more than 2,000 kinds of fish, including 130 species of high economic value. On the other hand, it is a safe place for tourists.
With these characteristics of Vietnam’s sea, sea travel can be exploited all the year round. However, the country needs to further improve and upgrade infrastructure to facilitate tourists’ traveling, Tuan said, adding that the coastline of Vietnam should be divided into specific sections to develop tourism.
“If Vietnam knows how to promote the sea travel, Vietnam will be able to attract many tourists,” Tuan said, adding that the country should soon map out proper measures to exploit sea travel.
Sea tourism has increased between 20 per cent and 30 per cent compared with last year, despite a similar percent increase in tour prices caused by high fuel prices.
Vietnam National Administration of Tourism statistics showed that arrivals by sea often make up around 20 per cent of the total number of foreign visitors to the country. They also showed that sea tourists spend some 20-30 per cent more than their air and road counterparts.
Vietnam welcomed more than two million foreign tourists in the first seven months of this year, representing a year-on-year increase of 7 per cent. It targets to host as many as 20.9 million tourists, including 3.9 million foreign arrivals this year.
Nhan Dan Online
Vietnamese
