HCM City waterway tourism slowed by lack of docks

Firms in HCM City have to sell boats intended for waterway tourism due to lack of docking facilities in the city.

Firms in HCM City have to sell boats intended for waterway tourism due to lack of docking facilities in the city.

  

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At the conference about waterway tourism in HCM City held on November 28 by the Department of Tourism and Saigon Giai Phong Newspaper, many firms agreed that even though HCM City has the potential for waterway tourism, development has been slow because of weak infrastructure.

An Son Lam, owner of the Dong Duong sailing boat fleet, said he had to sell three of seven boats when Bach Dang Wharf was closed. Many firms switched to Saigon Port but the fees are too high. He proposed to keep both Bach Dang Wharf and Saigon Port.

Lieu Thi My Hanh, director of Hoang Trieu Company, said they had 15 canoes for tourism services but faced various difficulties because of weak infrastructure. They only have three docking facilities including Tan Cang, Cau Mong and Vuon Kieng to pick up tourists. If HCM City authorities want to develop waterway tourism, they must invest in the infrastructure, Hanh said.

Meanwhile, owner of Elisa restaurant boat, Nguyen Hai Linh, raised concerns about security, saying that there was no unit or agency to protect them.

"The city authorities need to issue specific support and firms need to be active to invest in the most suitable businesses," he said.

According to the Director of Department of Tourism Bui Ta Hoang Vu, the city urban planning is being changed so the waterway tourism activities would be temporarily affected. They will consult with the city authorities to build wharfs and ports at new locations.

Bach Dang Wharf will be reopened. According to the 2017-2020 plan, HCM City will invest in several routes connect Bach Dang, Cau Mong wharfs and Saigon Port to District 5, 6, 7, 8, and Binh Duong and Vung Tau provinces.