Ho Chi Minh City: Vietnam is emerging as a serious player on the global cruise map. Viet Excursions, one of the nation’s top travel agents, reports that bookings for cruise calls in the southeast nation are up by more than 50% for the November 23012 to April 2013 tourism season. Meanwhile, Saigontourist Travel Service says that around 130,000 international cruise tourists will visit Vietnam this year, an increase of more than 25% over 2011. Saigontourist also reports strong growth for cruise trips along the Mekong river. Saigontourist expects to serve some 80,000 tourists in its November to March season, the majority of which are Chinese, onboard Star Cruises’ ships. [01/10/12]
