James Kopenec from the US receives a certificate showing he is the fifteen-millionth international tourist to Viet Nam.— VNS Photo
James Kopenec from Arizona, the US, was amazed by the warm welcome he received when he became the 15-millionth international tourist to Viet Nam.
A ceremony was held at the Ha Long International Cruise Port on Wednesday to announce Kopenec as the 15-millionth international tourist to the country. Annita De Vriesere from Belgium and Masahiko Nagaishi from Japan became the 14,999,999th and the 15,000,001st, respectively.
The three special guests of the Celebrity Millennium Cruise Ship received plenty of souvenirs and gifts from the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Kopecnec said this is the first time he has been to Viet Nam. He has visited Singapore and some other Asian countries, but Viet Nam offers an extremely different experience, he told Viet Nam News.
“It’s a beautiful country, out of my expectations, and we are eager for the trip because Ha Long Bay is a wonder of the world,” he said. “My wife told me that Viet Nam is a country of smiles and friendly people. Today I know it’s true.”
A view of Hạ Long International Cruise Port, where Celebrity Millennium Cruise Ship docks. — Photo courtesy of the VNAT
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien said receiving 15 million international tourists is a milestone for the nation’s tourism industry.
“2018 is full of important events for the national tourism industry,” Thien said. “Viet Nam received many important international awards, the first Tourism Summit was held and now the ceremony welcoming the 15-millionth international visitor.”
Thiện said this is a confirmation that Viet Nam is an attractive, safe and friendly destination now and in the future, and is the foundation to reach the target of developing tourism into a spearhead economic sector.
The Ha Long International Cruise Port was opened in late November by Sun Group. It is the first passenger port for cruise ships in Viet Nam designed to accommodate vessels with a capacity of 225,000 gross tonnes. It can serve more than 8,000 people and allows two ships to dock at once. — VNS