Five-star cruise ship Minerva from the UK docked at Quy Nhon Port in the central province of Binh Dinh on January 31.

The five-star cruise ship, Minerva.—File photo

With 500 passengers and a 200-member crew, Minerva is the biggest such vessel to visit the province so far.

During their four-hour stay, passengers visited the province's famous attractions, including the Banh It Tower, a Cham relic, and the Quang Trung Museum, which is dedicated to national hero Nguyen Hue or Quang Trung.

Departing from Hong Kong, the ship sails through Hai Phong, Ha Long Bay, Da Nang, Quy Nhon and Nha Trang before it reaches HCM City.

According to Van Trong Hung, director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Binh Dinh has seen spectacular tourism development in recent years. The number of tourists visiting the province last year increased 24 per cent while tourism revenues were more than 30 per cent higher over 2011-  VNS