Hai Phong discusses ways to awaken 'city of rivers and bridges like Venice'

Great potential is still "on paper"

With more than 50 large and small rivers, including famous rivers such as Bach Dang, Cam, Lach Tray, Van Uc, Thai Binh, etc., Hai Phong has a rich river system, flowing through each residential area, connecting cultural and historical sites associated with the development process of the city. This is considered a special natural advantage for developing inland waterway tourism.

Hai Phong has a rich river system with great potential for tourism development.

PHOTO: NH

However, Ms. Tran Thi Mai, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hai Phong, said that currently the locality does not have any formal river tourism tours, but mainly passenger transport activities or spontaneous, small-scale services.

The main reason, according to Ms. Mai, is due to poor waterway infrastructure. Existing ports mainly serve cargo transportation, there are no international marinas or specialized cruise ship ports. Many rivers are silted up and have not been dredged regularly; riverside landscapes are neglected, with a lot of waste, a lack of artistic lighting systems, and cultural, historical, and religious experiences along the river are almost forgotten.

An event once held on the Cam River

PHOTO: NH

In addition, Hai Phong has not yet developed a master plan and strategy for developing river tourism, leading to fragmented activities that fail to attract tourists. "We have resources but no tourism products, and lack proper investment, so river tourism remains at its potential," said Ms. Mai.

Experts advise on awakening Hai Phong river tourism

At the workshop on Developing Waterway Tourism in Hai Phong held on April 22, many experts and investors expressed regret that Hai Phong has not fully exploited the potential of its rivers, especially in the context that the city is orienting to develop tourism into a spearhead economic sector, and at the same time gave opinions to "awaken" the potential of Hai Phong's waterways.

Mr. Duong Duc Hung, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hai Phong, wondered: "Hai Phong can be considered a city of rivers and bridges like Venice, but why has river tourism not yet awakened? Each river has a very interesting historical and cultural story. If we do not turn those stories into tourism products, it would be a pity."

Hai Phong is a riverside city but has not yet fully exploited its potential for river tourism.

PHOTO: NGUYEN HONG PHONG

Experts suggest that to effectively exploit river tourism, the city needs to improve waterway infrastructure, invest in building wharves, tourist ports, and waterways to ensure safety and aesthetics; build unique tourism products, such as historical tours of Bach Dang River, night cruises of Cam River, and experiences of craft villages along Van Uc River; coordinate regional linkages, connect river tours from Hai Phong to Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, and Thai Binh; call on businesses to invest in developing high-end yachts, organizing events, and staying on the river similar to the model of Ha Long Bay cruise ships.

Besides, Hai Phong needs to improve the quality of landscape, handle pollution, build ecosystems, and riverside entertainment culture.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tu, Investment Director, Sao Do Group, emphasized that Hai Phong needs to boldly call for investment, forming luxury yachts capable of organizing large events, bringing new experiences to tourists.

Hai Phong City People's Committee said that the city is urgently developing a project and legal framework, especially gradually upgrading a number of inner-city passenger transport terminals to serve the development of river tourism.

However, for this potential to be truly exploited, Hai Phong needs a systematic strategy and the synchronous participation of both the government and businesses. Then, the rivers carrying heavy history will become a new journey bringing sustainable economic and cultural values ​​to the Port City.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hai-phong-ban-cach-danh-thuc-thanh-pho-cua-nhung-dong-song-va-cay-cau-nhu-venice-18525042214562134.htm