Da Nang welcomed its first over 2,000 cruise ship passengers of the New Year at a special welcoming ceremony held at the Tien Sa Port on Tuesday morning.

Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Tourism Tan Van Vuong (first left) giving flowers and gifts to the first cruise ship guests on New Year's Day. Photo: THU HA

Accordingly, Holland America Line's Westerdam cruise ship brought 2,000 passengers and 781 crew members in total to the city on the second day of the new year. The majority of them came from the Netherlands and other countries such as England, France, Italy, Denmark, Hungary, Canada, the US, South Korea, Japan and Australia.

Besides bouquets and souvenirs, cruise ship passengers enjoyed a special lion dance performance and received New Year wishes from local authorities.

The passengers aboard the Westerdam were scheduled to visit some of the city’s popular tourist attractions, including the Marble Mountains, the Linh Ung Pagoda and the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture.

Visitors to Da Nang are mainly from European and American markets. Photo: THU HA

Coming to Da Nang for the first time during the New Year, Ms. Brittiany Campell, an American tourist, felt very happy and excited about the vibrant and bustling atmosphere in the city.

She hoped that she would have a very happy new year and a meaningful trip in Da Nang. She would visit some local tourist sites and local traditional markets.

Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Tourism Tan Van Vuong revealed that Da Nang planned to welcome 45 cruise ship arrivals with more than 40,000 passengers in total.

Despite the unfavorable weather conditions, tourists were very excited about the journey to experience local destinations. Photo: THU HA

He added that cruise ship passengers are often high-spending tourists and are an important source of tourists for the local tourism. Therefore, the city's tourism industry will foster promotional activities and renew tourism products in order to meet the needs and tastes of cruise ship tourists in tandem with increasing the experience of this tourist source in Da Nang.

The 5-star luxury cruise ship Westerdam is designed with classic and luxurious features, and is equipped with the most modern equipment. The ship has 11 large floors along with 14 elevators, 3 swimming pools, and a terrace.

The ship departed from Sihanouville in Cambodia and docked at Phu My Port in Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province and Nha Trang Port in Khanh Hoa Province before arriving in Da Nang. It will leave Da Nang in the evening of the same day to continue its journey.

​Reporting by THU HA - Translating by M.DUNG