Tour operators in Nha Trang struggle as international cruise ships cancel voyages

Between Feb. 18-24, the Queen Mary 2 carrying 2,000 Western European tourists, the Seven Seas Explorer with 700 American tourists and the Nautica cruise ship with 500 tourists of multiple nationalities canceled their trips to the beach resort town.

In addition to the impact of weather, the ban on 29-seat tourist buses entering main gateways during peak hours was the main reason for the cancelation of cruise ships visiting Nha Trang, said Nguyen Quang Thang, director of Tictours International Travel Company, which offers tours for international cruise ships.

Due to the ban, tour operators are unable to arrange itineraries for cruise passengers visiting tourist attractions in the downtown area, he said in a petition submitted to local authorities.

Nha Trang is a favorite tourist hotspot of European and American tourists post reopening but the ban on tourist buses in peak hours has caused inconvenience for both tour operators and tourists, he said.

"This causes huge losses to travel businesses and the tourism industry in Khanh Hoa," Thang said.

Thang proposed that provincial authorities allow tourist buses to operate on days when cruise ships are in Nha Trang.

Nha Trang expects to welcome 30 international cruise ships this year.

Last year the town received over 275,000 foreign tourists, up 11 times from the previous Covid-hit year.

This year it hopes to get 1.5 million foreign visitors.

Nha Trang is known for its beaches, ancient temples and high-end resorts.