VietNamNet Bridge – The owners of tourist boats now operational at Bach Dang Wharf in downtown HCMC will be writing to the HCMC government asking for an extension of operations beyond the January 15 deadline and an alternative wharf.

A view of Bach Dang Wharf in downtown HCM City.

They spoke about their decision at a meeting between boat owners and the wharf’s management company Binh Quoi Tourist Village in HCMC on January 7.

Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, director of Saigon River Tour Co., said boat operators had decided to send the city government a petition on January 8 to operate beyond January 15.  

The company now operates seven tourist boats and its number of guests is faring well. “We have been operating here for years and fulfilled all tax obligations. Now, we are forced to suspend operations and to compensate for the contracts we have already signed with customers due to the closure of the wharf,” Ngoc said.

“We may go bankrupt and who will compensate for us.”

Last week, five tourist boat operators wrote to relevant agencies seeking approval to extend their operations.

Almost all boat operators do not know where they will move their boats to as HCMC lacks wharfs with good services. Moreover, Bach Dang Wharf has been popular among tourists.

“We will immediately move our boats to a new place if the local authorities arrange a wharf where we can conveniently pick up our guests,” Ngoc told the Daily.

Vina Express who just resumed its hydrofoil service between HCMC and Vung Tau City after a long time of suspension does not know how to deal with its hydrofoils. A representative of the company said the company is now waiting for the city government’s nod to move to Nha Rong Wharf.

Meanwhile, Binh Quoi Tourist Village said the company will stop the operation of its restaurant boat when the wharf is shut down.

Nguyen Thi Khanh, deputy head of the HCMC Tourism Association, said the association would be seeking to protect the interests of businesses and support the city’s strategy to develop river tours.

Last week, the transport department announced the city’s plan not to renew the operation license of Bach Dang Wharf. However, the HCMC government later allowed the wharf to continue operation until January 15.

A representative of the department said the closure of the wharf is to make room for an upgrade project at the wharf.

SGT