VietNamNet Bridge – 1,200 visitors on the five-star cruiser Costa Allegra from Hong Kong landed at the Hon Gai floating wharf in Quang Ninh Province on February 24.

Thai visitors from the Star Cruises purchase souvenirs on Phu Quoc Island.

Visitors, mostly from Europe, will have a two-day trip to Ha Long Bay, Yen Tu Buddhist relic and some northern villages.

The Costa Allegra cruiser will then travel to the central city of Da Nang, Nha Trang City and HCM City to bring visitors to the cultural heritage sites in the central region and the south.

This cruiser comes to Vietnam in cooperation with Saigontourist. In the first two months of 2008, Saigontourist welcomed 22,500 tourists from cruise ships, 40% up year on year. The number of Chinese tourists is rising.

Apart from Costa Allegra, Saigontourist also cooperates with other cruisers like Star Cruises, Super Star Leo, Columbus and Delphin Voyager to bring international tourists to Vietnam.

Saigontourist and the Tan Hong Tourism Company are the two pioneers in serving sea tourists in Vietnam.

VietNamNet/TP