After a long period of declining arrivals, Russian tourists have been returning to Vietnam en masse in recent months. Many have returned to the beachside city of Nha Trang, long a favorite destination for Russian travelers. However, last Thursday, 29 such tourists had an additional, unplanned experience: escaping from a sinking ship.
The episode occurred around 11:30am on December 17 when the ship, owned by Lang Ca Tourism Company, stalled and began to sink near Hon Mun Island, six nautical miles off the coast of Nha Trang, reports VnExpress.
The ship’s captain, 53-year-old Nguyen Lan, sent out an SOS signal to the Vietnam Border Guard.
Despite rolling seas, a rescue vessel reached the boat within an hour, rescuing the 29 Russian passengers and 10 crew members.
Local authorities are investigating the incident.
Similar emergencies have surfaced (no pun intended) in Vietnam over the past few years, most notably in Saigon and Ha Long Bay.
