The Aida Vita cruise ship at sea. The Quang Ninh government has been rebuked for rejecting the cruise ship - PHOTO: COURTESY OF AIDA VITA CRUISE SHIP

On February 13, the provincial government prevented Italy’s Aida Vita cruise ship from docking at a port in Halong City, keeping more than 1,000 tourists from visiting tourist sites in the province.

The cruise ship later had to cancel its entire journey to Vietnam, including plans to dock in Danang on February 15, Nha Trang on February 17 and HCMC on February 19.

All passengers on the Aida Vita cruise ship were from Europe. The cruise ship departed from Bali in Indonesia on January 17, visiting nine ports, excluding those in mainland China and Hong Kong.

Deputy PM Dam has also asked other localities not to repeat this issue, while closely controlling the entry of foreign tourists.

Localities’ plans to prevent and control the spread of Covid-19 should be executed effectively but must not affect tourism activities, Dam added. SGT

Lan Nhi

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