HCMC calls for private investment in boat stops along Saigon River

The HCMC government is calling for private waterway transport and tourism services enterprises to invest in stops along the Saigon River to spur waterway tourism in the city.

The municipal Departments of Transport and Planning-Architecture, and districts across the city are jointly drawing a plan to develop a waterway system and examine positions for such stops. Bach Dang Wharf on the Saigon River is considered the central station to serve passenger transport activities and waterway tourism.

In addition, Nha Rong-Khanh Hoi Port, which is near Bach Dang Wharf, has good facilities and convenient traffic systems for passenger transport and tourism development.

Relevant agencies proposed developing the port to cater to domestic and foreign passenger ships.

However, the city has difficulty promoting waterway tourism due to a lack of connectivity between waterways and roads, and underdeveloped ports and wharfs.

According to a waterway tourism development plan in the 2017-2020 period approved in June, the city will focus on waterway tourism promotion.

Accordingly, at least seven waterway tourism routes will be launched in the Saigon, Dong Nai, Nha Be, Soai Rap and Long Tau rivers as well as canals in HCMC, including the Bach Dang-District 7 route, the route from Bach Dang Wharf to Tau Hu in districts 8 and 5, the Bach Dang-District 9 route, and the route from Bach Dang Wharf to Binh Quoi.

The city targets to attract 450,000 tourists using waterway services next year and the number will increase 15% annually. Waterborne tourism is expected to fetch VND540 billion (US$24 million) in revenue this year.

Source: The Saigon Times