Four cruise ships have docked at central Da Nang city so far this year, bringing 1,400 tourists from France, the US, Spain, China and Hong Kong, according to the city's Tourism Department.

Da Nang expects to welcome 4,000 cruise ship tourists by this month, and a total of 43 cruise ship arrivals with more than 21,000 passengers this year, compared to 26 ships with 13,500 passengers in 2006.

Saigontourist will take the lead in encouraging tourist vessels to make ports of call in the central region.

Increased foreign tourist arrivals to Da Nang have put pressure on the city's hotel capacity. Furama Resort reports 70 percent occupancy this month, up 20 percent over the same period last year.