The northern province of Quang Ninh welcomed three international cruise ships on January 27-28, carrying more than 1,600 foreign tourists.

Amazara Quest brought 663 tourists mostly from France, Germany, the US, Canada and the Netherlands to the province while Costa Allegra and Mingfai Princess carried more than 1,000.

The Ha Long Travel Agency conducted special programmes for these visitors during their stay in Ha Long Bay, which has been twice recognised as World Heritage site.

*** These cruise ships also docked at Tien Sa and Da Nang ports on the first days of the New Year. Tourists visited the world’s Cultural Heritage sites such as the Hoi An ancient city, the My Son ruins, and Hue city. In January alone, Da Nang city welcomed five luxury liners carrying more than 4,500 international arrivals.

*** On New Year’s Day, around 700 Chinese visitors became the first to cross the Lao Cai international border gate on foot. Border guards and customs officials quickly completed necessary procedures for tourists to enter through the gate.

Le Anh Dai, director of Binh Minh International Travel said that his agency has signed contracts to conduct a Lao Cai-Hanoi-Ha Long Bay tour for more than 3,000 Chinese visitors during the first four days of Tet.