Vietnam offering cruises to disputed Spratly islands fuels sea dispute with China
Holiday to disputed archipelago intended 'to revive national pride' as tensions simmer
Vietnam is offering scores of patriotic citizens the holiday of a lifetime with a cruise to some of Asia's most hotly contested islands, in a move that could likely stoke its still simmering dispute with Beijing over South China Sea sovereignty.
In an US$800 promotion offer, 180 Vietnamese will get to see parts of the disputed Spratly archipelago this month and take part in night fishing, visit a lighthouse and enjoy local seafood.
High-rollers will have VIP hotel rooms and can fly in on their private helicopters, according to the Ho Chi Minh City government's website.
The elaborately worded offer is for a six-day cruise that will visit two reefs and two islands in the Spratlys, or Truong Sa in Vietnamese, which the country has occupied for some time despite rival claims.
It makes little attempt to disguise its political flavour and comes as Vietnam pursues a bolder agenda in pushing its claims in the face of China's own growing assertiveness.
"Travelling to Truong Sa ... means the big trip of your life, reviving national pride and citizens' awareness of the sacred maritime sovereignty of the country," the promotion said.
"Tourists will no longer feel Truong Sa as far away, the blue Truong Sa ocean will be deep in people's hearts."