The Singapore Tourism Board and tourism entrepreneurs will make their second fact-finding trip to Vietnam this quarter for a survey to help the country build terminals for cruise ships considered vital for developing the cruise tourism industry, an official said.

Vu The Binh, Director of the Department of Travel under the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, said that Singapore consultants and entrepreneurs would survey a sea route from the central city of Danang to Nghe An to find suitable locations for cruise terminals. This survey follows a similar trip to other destinations in the country last year.

“Along with this assistance, Singapore will share experiences in operating cruise terminals as well as discuss cooperation between the two countries’ tourism companies to woo international cruise passengers,” he said.

Vietnam’s tourism officials in 2008 went to Singapore to work with the Singapore Tourism Board and a Singapore cruise company to learn ways how to develop the cruise industry. These activities are part of a cooperation agreement between the two sides to develop the cruise tourism industry for Vietnam as well as to set up a circle route from Hong Kong to Singapore and Vietnam. (SGT)