Shaping tourism spaces for rivers

*The space on both banks of the Han River has a lot of room for tourism development. Photo: XUAN SON*

Connecting riverside spaces

Coming into operation at the new address 42 Bach Dang in March 2025, Da Nang Museum will become a prominent cultural and tourist destination on the Han River tourist route, contributing to diversifying the experience for visitors to Da Nang.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification and the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2, the facade of the museum on the west bank of the Han River became a 3D Mapping projection screen and a grand stage. There, images with the theme "The Story of Da Nang" or the melodies of "Da Nang Concert" took visitors on a journey connecting the past, present and future.

From the innovation of Da Nang Museum, Mr. Huynh Dinh Quoc Thien, Director of the Museum, repeatedly mentioned the formation of a cultural and tourist space along the Han River. Accordingly, in addition to Da Nang Museum, visitors can combine a visit to the Cham Sculpture Museum, Dien Hai Citadel, visit Han Market, Hai Chau communal house, Phuoc Ninh cemetery or the red address 52-54 Tran Binh Trong... These destinations are all located on Bach Dang Street or nearby.

*Tourists visit Hoi An ancient town during flood season. Photo: QUOC TUAN*

The story of developing tourism and cultural space along the Han River was further emphasized when the city opened Bach Dang Walking Street from June 2024, or recently, the investment policy of 149 billion VND to implement the "River of Light" art lighting project (phase 1) - implemented from 2025 - 2027.

Ms. Bui Huong, manager of a tourism and service business unit at Bach Dang Walking Street, said: “When the fireworks are bright, the tourist boats move back and forth through the Dragon Bridge and Tran Thi Ly Bridge, creating a sparkling space. Tourists walking, eating, and watching the river at night when the bridges are lit up is an attractive experience.”

However, Ms. Huong also acknowledged that the night tourism space on the Han River is still… sad. For example, the Han market - a popular destination - closes after afternoon; and the lack of cultural and entertainment activities in the middle of the river.

From the perspective of a tourism worker, she said: “The Han River space will attract more visitors if units are given the opportunity to organize combined art shows like the Da Nang Downtown complex did, morning SUP tours to welcome the sunrise on the Han River or increase the operating time at the Han market to develop night tourism... Connecting with the established walking street space will certainly attract a lot of tourists, becoming a highlight of the city”.

Live with the rhythm of the city

In Hoi An, for many years now, the image of the street in flood season has become a typical tourist product of the ancient town. However, the direction of reasonable tourism exploitation, combining ensuring safety for tourists and protecting relics and ancient houses from the impact of natural disasters is still a story that is often mentioned.

*Bach Dang walking street. Photo: XUAN SON*

From a business perspective, Mr. Le Quoc Viet, Chairman of the Quang Destination Club, emphasized the content of "flood season tourism" in Hoi An ancient town as a direction for tourism exploitation during the low season. There, the flood is not only flooding in the ancient town but also in the outside areas, from the fields along Hai Ba Trung street, An My - Cam Ha or Cam Kim areas.

“If the flood affects people’s lives and causes safety problems, then we will not organize tours. However, in the case of moderate water level rise - at alert level 2 in the old town, people have basically adapted to each heavy rain season. For tourists and photographers, taking photos of Hoi An ancient town during the flood season is a unique experience,” Mr. Viet shared.

According to Mr. Viet, flood season tourism in Hoi An is weather-adaptive tourism: proactive, not causing a big impact on life. It is important to have a clear direction for businesses and people to exploit tourism properly, safely and culturally. Tourists need to be well organized, wear full life jackets; be arranged with sightseeing spots, have designated areas for taking photos, have safety support, and be controlled...

*Cruise on the Han River. Photo: Xuan Son*

“Telling stories on the river” is also an idea proposed by travel agencies when exploiting Han River tourism. Ms. Pham Nhat Nu Nhu Hoa - Director of Dong Vinh Thinh Co., Ltd. - a cruise business unit on the Han River, said that tourism products can exploit historical stories about the ancient Cua Han site, perform love songs on the river or research drone light performances like Nha Trang is doing, in parallel with the fireworks festival; promote sailing tourism and kayak racing.

“In particular, the traditional boat racing festival on the Han River - a typical cultural activity of Quang Nam needs to be promoted more by the locality. That is the way to make the Han River truly live with the rhythm of the city,” said Ms. Hoa.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/dinh-hinh-khong-gian-du-lich-cho-nhung-dong-song-3314272.html