Cruise ships bound for Nha Trang have had to cancel their trips due to regulations.

Welcoming cruise ship passengers is difficult because vehicles lack tourist permits.

Specifically, in 2023, Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa will welcome more than 30 cruise ships with tens of thousands of tourists, mostly from Europe and America. These include major and world-renowned cruise lines such as Spectrum of the Sea (4,000 passengers), MSC Poesia (2,800 passengers), Queen Elizabeth (2,000 passengers), Mein Schiff 5 (2,500 passengers), etc.

However, from February 18th to 24th, three cruise ships to Nha Trang were cancelled, including: Queen Mary 2 (2,000 Western European passengers), Seven Seas Explorer (700 American passengers), and Nautica (500 passengers).

Most recently, a representative from Saigontourist's Nha Trang branch also confirmed that the Spectrum of the Sea cruise ship (4,000 passengers), which was scheduled to dock in Nha Trang on February 26th, has also canceled its trip.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Thang, director of Tictours International Travel Company Limited, said he has submitted a petition to the Provincial People's Committee requesting solutions to the difficulties in serving international cruise ship tourists visiting Nha Trang.

Several cruise ships have announced cancellations and will not operate voyages to Nha Trang due to difficulties in taking tourists to visit Nha Trang and its surrounding areas. This is because major roads leading into and out of the city are closed to vehicles with more than 29 seats during peak hours, as are roads in the outskirts of Nha Trang, such as the Vinh Ngoc - Vinh Thanh communes. This is a rural area with many popular tourist attractions such as visiting ancient houses, village communal houses, local markets, craft villages, and rice fields.

"This is causing losses for businesses and the tourism industry in Khanh Hoa, damaging its image in the eyes of tourists, especially European and American tourists, a market that many destinations aspire to. If this continues, it will lead to cruise lines having to reconsider whether or not to include Nha Trang as a destination in the near future," Mr. Thang said.

Businesses request the removal of obstacles.

Previously, in January 2023, the People's Committee of Khanh Hoa province allowed vehicles with more than 29 seats to be issued tourist vehicle permits in accordance with regulations to enter the center of Nha Trang city during peak hours.

However, since the decision was issued, not a single vehicle has been granted a "tourist vehicle" license plate because the drivers lack the necessary training certificates for serving tourists.

In order to promptly resolve difficulties, especially for cruise ships arriving in Nha Trang in February-April (approximately 12 trips), Mr. Thang and the travel companies have proposed solutions to address these issues.

As a temporary measure, passenger vehicles with more than 29 seats serving cruise ship tourists are permitted to circulate on central roads during peak hours on specific days when cruise ships arrive in Nha Trang. The company is responsible for notifying and registering the number of vehicles, license plates, etc., with the relevant authorities at least one day before the ship arrives (vehicle permits issued by Nha Trang port and border guards may be used as identification documents).

Temporarily, tourist buses with more than 29 seats serving cruise ship tourists are permitted to circulate on roads in the Vinh Ngoc - Vinh Thanh commune area and some intersecting roads from the 23-10 road to Luong Dinh Cua road to serve tourists on countryside tours (approximately 10 buses/cruise trip).

The Department of Tourism must coordinate with training institutions to quickly open training courses and issue professional certificates to drivers in order to expedite the process of issuing tourist vehicle permits.

According to the Department of Tourism, regulations stipulate that for a vehicle to be granted a "tourist vehicle" badge, the driver must undergo training in tourism operations, and the service staff on the vehicle must undergo training in tourism operations, transportation, and legal regulations regarding transportation business activities. The Department of Tourism organizes tourism training courses annually (most recently in September 2022), but most businesses rarely send their drivers or staff to attend.

Therefore, when the Provincial People's Committee allows vehicles with "tourist vehicle" badges to transport passengers into the city during peak hours, tourist transport businesses do not have drivers or staff who meet the qualifications to apply for the badges.

The Department of Tourism has planned to open two training courses on tourism skills for drivers and service staff on tourist transport vehicles and inland waterway vessels from March 13 to 18.

The People's Committee of Khanh Hoa province also stated that Mr. Le Huu Hoang - the permanent vice chairman - signed a document requesting the Department of Transport to coordinate with the Department of Tourism and relevant units to urgently inspect and handle the travel company's requests; and to advise on matters within the authority of the Provincial People's Committee before March 3rd.

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao