The 2,670 passenger Sapphire Princess visits Viet Nam for its first season of cruise trips in Southeast Asia starting in November. – VNS File photo.

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — The US-based Princess Cruises said its Sapphire Princess would sail to Viet Nam for its first season of cruise trips in Southeast Asia starting in November.

Ba Ria Vung Tau (Phu My) and Nha Trang, two of the most popular destinations in Viet Nam for international cruise vessels, will be part of Princess Cruises' Southeast Asia 2014-15 itinerary.

The four-month Southeast Asia season will see 15 roundtrip cruises from Singapore ranging from three to 11 days.

Some 40,000 passengers from Viet Nam and throughout Asia, as well as North America, the UK, and Australia are expected to travel this season.

The 116,000-ton Sapphire Princess has more than 200 suites and mini-suites with private balconies, and is designed to carry 2,670 passengers.

"We look forward to a good working relationship with our partners in Viet Nam such as the travel agents, Vietnam Airlines, and the state tourism agencies to bring international passengers to Viet Nam," Farriek Tawfik, director for Southeast Asia, Princess Cruises, said.

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, last year Viet Nam welcomed 193,261 visitors by sea, a two-thirds increase year-on-year. The tourism industry expects the number to top one million by 2015.

Princess Cruises' Diamond Princess docked at Phu My on early Friday with nearly 3,000 travellers mostly from Australia and the UK.

Viet Excursion welcomed and brought them to HCM City and Tan Thanh District in neighbouring Dong Nai Province. The vessel left the same evening for Nha Trang and Hue. — VNS