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SEA AND ISLAND TOURISM
Vietnam is supposed to be the next such as Star Cruise, Royal Caribbean,
paradise of sea tourism. The over Silversea Cruises and Discovery
3,200km coastlines running along Cruise Lines... Annually, many
the country makes a proportion of provinces and cities come forward
100km2 of mainland/1km of coastline to host sea tourist festivals from
(the world average is 600km2/1km Carnival Ha Long, Nha Trang - the
of coastline). Besides, Vietnam 3,000 August Rendezvous to Lang Co the
islands of various sizes, white sandy Sea Legend… These hold the gaze
beaches and crystal blue sea water of both foreign and domestic visitors.
also greatly facilitate the prospect of As pointed out in the Marine
Vietnam’s sea tourism. Strategy, Vietnam is aiming for
Apart from renowned beaches such a share of 53 – 55% of GDP from
as Cat Ba, Sam Son, Lang Co, Non the marine economy by 2020. Sea
Nuoc, Nha Trang, Mui Ne, Vung Tau, tourism will serve as the fourth
Phu Quoc, etc, Vietnam also boasts spearheading industry to make
many bays among the world’s best up 14% to 15% of the total marine
bays such as Ha Long, Lang Co or economy nationwide. The Vietnam
Nha Trang that hide underneath Tourism Development Strategy by
majestic coral reefs. The marine 2020 and Vision to 2030 indicated:
ecology in islands and seashores is “Continue to focus on tourist
also appealing in Bai Tu Long, Cat Ba, services and products that can
Cu Lao islands, Con Dao, Phu Quoc as generate strong added values in the
blessed with typical floras and faunas whole country and each location;
suitable for tourist development. switching priority to developing
Coastal regions are also home to sea- and island-related tourism;
many world heritages from Ha Long emphasizing unique cultural and
bay, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National ecological elements in tourist
Park, Hue citadel complex with the products; developing high quality
court music to Hoi An’s old town and sea resorts and cementing national
My Son monastery. This proves ideal brands to equally compete in the
to combine sea tourism with trips to region and the world over”.
world heritages. Furthermore, the By 2020, Vietnam is expected to
basic infrastructure for coastal tourism rank alongside the most developed
has rapidly evolved, thus bringing a regional countries in sea tourism
new breeze to the whole sector. (Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia).
In recent years, coastal regions in To produce a truly recognizable
Vietnam attract about 70% of foreign sea image, five internationally and
tourists and over 50% of domestic regionally competitive sea resorts
tourists, contributing make up 70% should be heavily invested in the
of total the revenues from tourism. future, including Ha Long - Cat Ba,
Many large cruise ship brands Lang Co - Son Tra - Hoi An, Nha
have carried visitors to Vietnam to Trang - Cam Ranh, Phan Thiet - Mui
discover the country’s sea territories Ne and Phu Quoc.
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