Thua Thien-Hue province welcomes the first cruise tourists in 2019, January 28. (Photo: VNA)

Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Tourism Nguyen Van Phuc said the welcome ceremony is part of a series of activities this year to popularise Vietnam abroad, its country and people and Thua Thien-Hue in particular. The provincial tourism sector strives to welcome around 4.5 million visitors in 2019, 45 percent of whom foreigners.