The Da Nang People's Committee has approved a plan to develop new tourist sites and services along 8 inland waterway transportation routes during the 2019-2021 period.

A tourist boat operating near the Son Tra Peninsula

The operation of these routes aims to fully tap the potential for the development of the river tourism, and create new and attractive tourism products in order to satisfy the growing demand of both domestic and foreign visitors. This, thereby, will contribute to preserving and promoting cultural values of historical relic sites along the routes, as well as to creating jobs for local people.

In particular, as for the Han River - Tran Thi Ly Bridge route, focus will be on upgrading the former Han River Port into a wharf for tourist boats, putting in use such services as drinking and eating, shopping, dining, and entertainment. Besides, the former Song Thu Port will be converted into a secondary port connecting with the Nguyen Van Troi pedestrian bridge and public parks at its eastern and western ends. Work is scheduled to start on the upgrade work in the 4^th quarter of this year.

With regard to the Han River - mouth of the Han River - Son Tra Peninsula route, appeals for investment will be made for the construction of the Bai Cat Vang tourist site and mobile piers for tourist boats, the upgrade of restaurants and campgrounds, and the development of tours about diving to explore the coral reefs and going fishing, and playing watersports. This route is expected to be put into operation starting from the 3^rd quarter of this year.

Besides, the municipal authorities have given the nod for local businesses to develop temporary tourism services at the Sung Co Beach, including picnic, drinking, eating, swimming and water sports. In addition, businesses will be encouraged to build river-sea compatible ships (VR-SB), especially night-stay ones, to meet the demand of visitors.

Like this route, heed will be paid to constructing piers for tourist boats, upgrading restaurants, and offering even more attractive tours to visitors on the Han River - Hon Chao route.

For the Son Tra Peninsula route, starting from the 2^nd quarter of this year, appeals for investment is being made for the building of the trip boat piers CT15, a waiting lounge, ticket counters, toilets, and souvenir shops, as well as diversifying services offered on tourist boats. This route is expected to put into operation in the 3^rd quarter of the year.

As regards the Han River - Ngu Hanh Son District route, a waiting lounge, toilets, shopping areas, and drinking and eating areas will be built at the historical relic site K20 in Ngu Hanh Son District. In addition, this tour will give tourists the opportunity to enjoy a natural life and experience farming activities.

As for the Cam Le - Tuy Loan - Thai Lai route, investment is being welcomed into turning the La Huong vegetable growing area in Cam Le District into an inviting place for tourists, with a focus on building trip boat piers, restaurants specialising in cooking vegetable dishes, and vegetable selling stalls.

Besides, appeals for investment will be made for the development of community-based tourism products in the Tuy Loan and Thai Lai villages.

As part of the tour, visitors will be taken to visit Mrs Lieu’s ‘banh kho me’ (dried sesame seed cakes) making village in the district’s Hoa Tho Dong Ward, the 200-year-old Tich Thien Duong house, fruit-laden orchards in Thai Lai Village, the Tuy Loan rice paper making village, and some historical relic sites in Phong Le and Hoa Chau villages.

For the development of the Cu De River - Truong Dinh tour, trip boat piers and a waiting room will be built, whilst the Mieu Ba, the Ben Ham Vang and Thuy Tu Communal House will be upgraded. Work will start on the categories from the 2^nd quarter of this year and it is scheduled to be completed by 2020.

Last, but not least, local businesses are being encouraged to pour their money into the upgrade of their tourist boats operating on the Han River - Cu Lao Cham route, and the improvement of quality of entertainment services being offered on tourist boats.