Điểm nhấn hấp dẫn du lịch đường thủy

Nằm giữa vùng sông nước trù phú của ĐBSCL, Vĩnh Long từ lâu đã được biết đến như một điểm đến hấp dẫn với hệ sinh thái miệt vườn đặc trưng, những dòng sông hiền hòa và đời sống sinh hoạt văn hóa đậm chất Nam Bộ. Phát huy lợi thế tự nhiên đó, du lịch (DL) đường thủy đang trở thành điểm nhấn nổi bật, góp phần tạo nên sức hút riêng cho DL tỉnh.

Nestled amidst the fertile waterways of the Mekong Delta, Vinh Long has long been known as an attractive destination with its distinctive orchard ecosystem, tranquil rivers, and vibrant Southern Vietnamese culture. Leveraging these natural advantages, waterway tourism is becoming a prominent highlight, contributing to the province's unique appeal.

Tourists are cheerful and excited on the cruise ship, experiencing the beauty of the waterways and orchards of Vinh Long .

Strengths of waterway tourism

According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in 2025, tourism activities in the province will continue to develop stably and maintain positive growth momentum. Ensuring security and order in the tourism sector is always prioritized, with no incidents of insecurity affecting tourists. As a result, the province's tourism environment remains safe and friendly, leaving many positive impressions on domestic and international tourists.

Along with the development of the tourism industry, the infrastructure and services for tourists are increasingly being invested in and improved. The province currently has 359 tourist accommodation establishments; 67 travel service businesses, including 19 international travel agencies and 48 domestic travel agencies. In addition, the province has 41 businesses meeting standards for serving tourists; 13 provincial-level tourist destinations and areas; and 26 typical tourist destinations in the Mekong Delta region. This is an important foundation that helps the province improve service quality and diversify tourism products.

In the overall picture of local tourism, waterway tourism is considered a prominent strength, closely associated with the characteristic image of the province's riverine and orchard landscape. Journeys down the tranquil rivers not only offer tourists a sense of relaxation but also open up opportunities to explore the nature, culture, and daily life of the people in the riverine region.

Currently, the province has 154 inland waterway vessels licensed to serve tourists. In addition, the system of wharves and docks serving tourist transportation is also being gradually improved, including a tourist wharf for passenger pick-up and drop-off managed by the An Hoi Ward People's Committee; the Vinh Long Passenger Port managed by the Provincial Tourism Promotion Center, officially put into operation from October 15, 2022; and 24 tourist wharves of tourism service businesses that have been officially announced to operate in accordance with regulations.

A wide variety of waterway tourist routes

Many unique waterway tourism routes have been developed, offering tourists a wealth of experiences. A highlight is the tour to An Binh islet – a lush green area with abundant fruit orchards, where visitors can immerse themselves in the peaceful countryside atmosphere.

Visitors can also travel down the Ben Tre River to experience activities steeped in local culture, such as riding flower-decorated carts through village streets, rowing boats through shady coconut-lined canals, visiting Phu Tu brick kilns, coconut processing facilities, coconut candy factories, or handicraft workshops using coconut wood. The Nhon Thanh mat weaving village is also an interesting stop, where visitors can learn about the beauty of this long-standing traditional craft.

Another fascinating journey is the Mekong River tour through the Long-Lan-Qui-Phung islet cluster. Here, visitors can experience rowing boats through mangrove canals, riding horse-drawn carriages along peaceful village roads bordering the Tien River, enjoying seasonal fruits such as rambutan, longan, and pineapple; sipping honey tea, and listening to traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music. When stopping at Con Phung tourist area, visitors can also enjoy many local specialties such as coconut heart salad, shrimp fried with coconut, puffed sticky rice, or crispy fried elephant ear fish.

In addition, the tourist route on the Thom River takes visitors to many unique attractions such as the Dong Khoi National Special Monument in Ben Tre, An Thanh industrial and handicraft village, Tuyet Phung candy factory, Thanh Tan ornamental flower village, or Cai Mon traditional seedling and ornamental flower village.

Meanwhile, the Long Ho River tour offers unique experiences connected with the province's traditional craft villages. Visitors can explore the Tu Buoi Pottery House – a traditional three-bay, two-wing house built entirely of the largest Vinh Long red pottery in Vietnam; visit the conical hat-making village, the basket-weaving village, or admire the picturesque river scenery while passing through the Mang Thit brick and pottery village on the Thầy Cai canal and experience the traditional brick and pottery making process. A stop at Somo Farm Cuu Long (Cai Nhum commune) also offers visitors interesting experiences with a traditional distillery and the "Cuu Long My Tuu" wine product.

Tourists capture memorable moments amidst the tranquil river scenery.

Thanks to the diversity of tourism products and unique experiences of the riverine region, the province's tourism is increasingly attracting a large number of visitors. In 2025, the total number of tourists visiting the province is expected to reach 9,346,285, an increase of 13.4% compared to the same period and achieving 101.2% of the plan. Of these, international tourists will reach 1,273,840, an increase of 71.6% compared to the same period. Total revenue from tourism is expected to reach VND 7,963.2 billion, an increase of 17.6% compared to the previous year.

International visitors to the province mainly come from the US, Australia, the UK, France, Germany, and many European countries, demonstrating the growing appeal of ecotourism, river tourism, and local cultural experiences.

With its natural advantages of waterways and the unique cultural values ​​of the Southern Mekong Delta's orchards, waterway tourism is contributing to creating a distinct mark for Vinh Long on the Mekong Delta tourism map. In the future, continuing to effectively exploit this potential will help the province affirm its position as an attractive, friendly, and culturally rich destination for domestic and international tourists.

Text and photos: HUU THOAI

Source: https://baovinhlong.com.vn/xa-hoi/du-lich/202603/diem-nhan-hap-dan-du-lich-duong-thuy-28331ea/