Vietnam Starts North-South Sea Passenger Ship Service On Dec. 13

December 4, 2007 6:09 a.m. EST

Hanoi, Vietnam (AHN) - The first sea-going passenger ship in Vietnam will make its maiden voyage on Dec. 13 to kick off a twice weekly north-south sailing service in the country.

An Italian-made cruise ship of the Vinashin Ocean Shipping Company (Vinashilines) will carry up to 1,000 passengers and 500 cars from Hon Gai Port in the northern Quang Ninh province to Nha Rong Port in Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam.

The coastal trip will last two days, including an eight-hour stopover in the former imperial city of Hue and ancient town of Hoi An in central Vietnam.

A one-way trip in the business class costs $187. The ship has a restaurant, a bar and telecommunications services.

The Vietnam news agency quoted Vinashilines general director as saying that the company plans to acquire another ship from Italy in April or May next year to also ply the route.

Vinashilines is a unit of state-owned Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Corp