VietNamNet Bridge – As least seven waterway tourism products will be developed in HCM City by 2020, according to its tourism development plan. 

A boat tour on the Nhieu Loc- Thi Nghe Canal in HCM City. – Photo: Thu Hang/VNS

Under the plan, recently announced by the People’s Committee, existing products will get an infusion of money to improve the quality of services, including the Tan Cang- Binh Quoi and Nhieu Loc- The Nghe routes.

Money will continue to be invested to develop new inner waterway routes through districts 5, 6, 7 and 8 along the Sai Gon River and Ben Nghe, Te, Tau Hu, and Lo Gom canals.

From now through 2020, new river tourism products will be developed from Bach Dang and Tan Cang ports to Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc tunnels in Cu Chi District, Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve and Hoi Son Pagoda in District 9.

The number of people enjoying waterway tourism products is projected to reach 450,000 next year, with revenues topping VND540 billion (US$23.89 million).

Both are projected to grow at 15 per cent a year on average.

With its 1,000 kilometres of rivers and canals, the city has huge potential to develop waterway tourism.

The People’s Committee plans to develop tourism as a key sector with annual revenues soaring to VND170 trillion (US$7.5 billion) by 2020, or more than 11 per cent of the city’s GDP.

The sector targets revenues of VND120 trillion (US$5.3 billion) this year, an increase of 16.5 per cent from last year. 

Source: VNS