VietNamNet Bridge – A boat tour on Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal, which was once the most polluted canal in Saigon, was launched on Wednesday, September 2 by HCM City authorities and the Saigon Boat JSC.

Visitors have the option to stay in splendidly decorated boats with roofs and safety equipment to float past poetic scenes along the 4.5-kilometre-long canal, which runs through Districts 1 and 3, Binh Thuan and Phu Nhuan.

Tourists are told stories about the foundation and development of the canal as well as the evolution of Saigon – now known as HCM City.

Vacationers currently have two options. The first tour includes 10 "Phung" (Gondola) boats - each can carry 2-6 passengers together with one boat rider. Besides exploring the city's scenery, visitors are treated to folk music.

The second tour includes two boats – each designed with a capacity of 7-20 passengers, mainly serving families or companies. Tourists can bring food and beverages on board.

To join the tour, visitors can purchase tickets at District 1's station on Hoang Sa road, next to Thi Nghe bridge, and District 3's station on Hoang Sa road, close to the Chantaransay pagoda.

Tourists can also book tickets at tour offices, travel agencies and hotel receptions in the city with prices ranging VND110,000-220,000 ($4.9-9.9) per passenger.

Pictures of the first boat tour on the canal:

This canal was once the most polluted canal in HCM City, with thousands of slums along its banks. The canal has been revived after nearly 20 years. Since 1993, HCMC authorities have cleared away thousands of slums.   On September 1, the boat trip on the canal was launched as the city's new tourism product.       Phoenix-shaped boats are used for the tour.  Each boat can serve 2-6 passengers.       10 phoenix-shaped boats and two big boats that can carry 7-20 people are in service.       The boat tour is on 4.5km canal, through District 1, District 3, Binh Thanh and Phu Nhuan.     There are many pagodas along the canal, such as Van Tho and Hai Duc.       Hai Duc Pagoda.         The boat trip is over one hour.

VNN/Zing/VNS