Vietnam will develop sea tourism into a key driver for the maritime sector in central coastal region, according to a master economic development plan for the region to 2020. The central is envisaged needing around VND411 trillion in 2006-2010, VND608 trillion in 2011-2015, and VND1,314 trillion in 2016-2020. Its GDP will reach around 12.5% in 2006-2010, and 12.9-13% in 2011-2020.

     Ho Chi Minh City is scheduled to welcome 3,250 European tourists from two five-star international cruise ships  the Costa Classica and the Costa Allegra--on March 22 and 23.

SP-PSA International Port in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province has successfully handled on a trial basis the largest container ship ever to dock at a Vietnamese port during the Tet holiday.

Ho Chi Minh Citys largest cable-stayed bridge opened to all vehicles Thursday, after large vehicles had been prohibited since the bridges official opening six months ago.

     Cambodia inaugurated Thursday a US$25.8 million highway that was built using a soft loan provided by Vietnam.

     DP World-run Djibouti Port hopes to become a leading regional shipping hub, unaffected by Dubai World's debt problems, the port's chairman said.

     By joint-venture projects of building seaport systems at Hiep Phuoc (Nha Be - Ho Chi Minh city) and Thi Vai - Cai Mep (Ba Ria - Vung tau), Saigon port is trying to do their best for going to the sea after nearly one and half centuries of operation within the city. However, for the going is smooth, Saigon port has to utilize current potentiality absolutely; simultaneously innovate and improve organizational and management works.

     During 7 Lunar New Year days from 12-18/02, Saigon port has handled 58.212 tons of different kinds of cargoes, including 30.774 tons of inbound cargoes, 1.627 tons of outbound containers, 16.185 tons of domestic imported containers and 9.626 tons of domestic exported containers.

     US Navy Force's logistics ship Richard. E. Byrd recently moored for maintenance in the deep seaport of Hòn Khói, south of Vân Phong Bay, Khánh Hòa Province.

     Vietnam has won a contract to ship 90,000 tonnes of five-percent broken rice to Iraq, announced by the Northern Food Corporation on March 1.

The HCMC Investment and Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) is launching many programs this year to help Vietnamese exporters tap new markets and overcome challenges, the director of the center said on January 28.

Vietnam revealed an export growth rate of 28.1 percent in January compared to a year ago due to the recovery of the global economy causing high export price, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.