HCM City welcomes first foreign tourists by waterways after COVID-19 hiatus

Saigontourist, a leading tour operator in Vietnam, received its first 30 international visitors travelling to Ho Chi Minh City by river on July 18 following two years of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Australian tourists visit the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office, also known as the Saigon Central Post Office. (Photo: thanhnien.vn)

The 30 tourists come from Australia and they were brought by the Indochine 2 cruise ship.

The group will experience nine days and eight nights in Vietnam, touring Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho City, Cai Be district, Vinh Long City, Sa Dec City, and Chau Doc City, before heading to Cambodia.

They will have the chance to discover scenic spots along the Mekong river, and learn about floating markets and the daily lives of local people throughout the region.

Nguyen Huu Y Yen, general director of Saigontourist, said foreign tourists traveling by river are potential customers who are ready to pay up to US$250,000 per person for a trip lasting several months at sea.

From September, the company will continue to promote the exploration of tourists travelling via river, he noted.

VOV