International visitors to Vietnam, including cruise visitors increased 17% in the first 11 months of the year compared to the same period in 2006, according to statistics from the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).

"International cruise tourism first appeared in Vietnam tens of years ago with the number of visitors leaping to 350,000 in 2002. Cruise tourism, however, was impacted heavily by SARS and bird flu epidemic between 2003 and 2004. The industry is recovering now and hopes to see vigorous growth in 2008," said VNAT's head of the travel department Vu The Binh.

According to Binh, many of the world's top cruise lines such as Star Cruise, Holland American Line, Costa Croicieres are ironing out plans to moor their ships in Vietnam for longer periods of time.

"Vietnam has big and small seaports dotted along a 3,000km coast line, beautiful scenery and a stable political regime. It will soon become a hot destination for international cruise travellers," Binh said.

"Cruise tourists are permitted to transit in Vietnam for up to five days without visas at a cost of US$5 a head. VNAT wants to lengthen the transit time, reduce berth charges, reform seaport procedures and upgrade the infrastructure serving cruise tourism," he said.

Doan Thi Thanh Tra, a representative of Saigontourist Travel Service Co said: "The lack of port services in receiving visitors and facilities like restaurants, telephone booths or professional tour-guides limits visitor enjoyment, something which service companies must overcome to lift numbers," Tra said.