Open water space
Can Tho City (old) has a dense system of canals, notably floating markets and islands, which are suitable for developing river tourism . Therefore, many river tourism products in Can Tho before the merger were exploited in a variety of ways: exploring Cai Rang floating market, Phong Dien canals, river culture in the garden and community tourism in Son island, Tan Loc island...
International tourists visit Cai Rang floating market. Photo: KIEU MAI
Hau Giang (old) stands out with its landscape and river ecology, especially the cultural space of Nga Bay floating market, Xa No canal... In which, Xa No canal is known as the rice road of the West Hau River region, a vital waterway. Associated with Xa No canal are stories imbued with the cultural identity of the river, the garden civilization of the Mekong Delta region that can create river tourism products to experience the agricultural land. In addition, there is also the Cai Con river tourism route associated with Nga Bay floating market, fruit gardens, garden homestays creating tourist routes associated with the river garden, preserving the typical river landscape along the Hau River combined with experiencing the working life of farmers.
Meanwhile, Soc Trang (old) is located on the southern coast of Hau River, has a long coastline with 3 large river mouths flowing into the sea: Dinh An, Tran De and My Thanh, and a dense river system with large and small islands connecting each other along the Hau River. This is an advantage that helps Soc Trang develop eco-tourism with a variety of river products. Outstanding products are community tourism, agriculture on My Phuoc islet (Ke Sach), community tourism to explore the marine ecosystem, mangrove forests in Mo O, Ho Be, Cu Lao Dung...
Previously, Can Tho (old) and Hau Giang (old) had an agreement on a tourism development cooperation program between the two localities. In particular, focusing on building river tourism routes to bring visitors to explore the canals in the fields, connecting Hau Giang gardens to Can Tho, combining cultural and historical experiences of the river region. Thus, when the 3 localities are merged, tourism resources will be expanded and river tourism routes will have more opportunities to develop, forming new products and tours with their own identity.
Promoting typical river products
Mr. Tran Thanh Thai, Director of Mekong Smile Tourism Trading Joint Stock Company, said: “The outstanding strength of Can Tho City tourism when merged is the river. Therefore, in addition to investing in infrastructure such as wharves, port systems, etc., we should also focus on building river tourism products in greater depth and with more identity. Along the Can Tho River, Hau River and the downstream of the Mekong River, there is a system of islands, sandbanks, historical and cultural relics along the river that we sometimes forget. Thus, when making river tourism products, we should pay attention and find ways to promote these river cultural values.”
In fact, the system of islands and islets along the rivers is very diverse. Currently, many tourism products have been and are being developed, such as Tan Loc islet, Son islet, Au islet with agricultural eco-tourism associated with the culture of river life in the South. In particular, Son islet has become a destination for experiencing, researching and preserving freshwater aquatic products on the Hau River. Or My Phuoc islet, Phong Nam islet, and Dung islet are developing with eco-tourism products combining community tourism, agricultural tourism, marine tourism and protecting forest ecosystems.
River tourism products along the system of islets and islands are currently being effectively exploited by many travel agencies and tourism companies, such as river tourism routes to explore river mouths by canoe of Mekong Delta Adventure and Event Tourism Company Limited, or river tourism routes by small yachts of Tan Dai Phong Construction - Trade - Production Company Limited, which are preparing to be exploited.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong, Director of Tan Dai Phong Construction - Trade - Production Company Limited, said: “Bringing experiences and discoveries by river to garden and island destinations will bring tourists new experiences. We want to extend the length of stay of tourists in Can Tho to at least 2 nights. We are surveying the Can Tho - Hau Giang (old) and Soc Trang (old) routes and preparing to put 10 cruise ships into operation. Therefore, we are also making proposals about docks in these areas to effectively connect the routes.”
Meanwhile, Ms. Vo Xuan Thu, Director of Victoria Can Tho Hotel, shared: “We have cruise ships that exploit river routes very effectively. For short-term routes, there is Can Tho to Cai Be, Rach Gia and Chau Doc, and for long-term routes, there is Victoria Mekong with routes along the Mekong River connecting Can Tho - Siem Reap. When Can Tho is unified, tourism opportunities and resources will open up and we are also surveying and researching a number of new river tourism product routes, including the Can Tho - Cu Lao Dung river route that has been surveyed and piloted. Along the river route, we want to connect tourists to Cu Lao Dung, Tran De and the route to Con Dao (Ho Chi Minh City). For international routes, we are currently building Victoria Mekong 2 with 38 cabins because the number of tourists for international routes is almost full this year.”
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It can be seen that river tourism is very attractive because of its cultural identity, which makes it easy to create many diverse products, meeting many customer market segments. Currently, Can Tho has many exploited river products, but most of them are short journeys, not yet promoting their strengths. Current river tourism products are mostly proactively built by travel agencies and tourism companies according to each unit's customer base.
Therefore, with its new position after the merger, Can Tho should have a master plan for river tourism. In particular, defining outstanding products associated with floating markets, islands, islets and canal systems. Forming intra-city, inter-regional and international routes with a modern port system serving river and sea routes. Mr. Truong Van Vinh, Director of Ido Travel Can Tho, said: "Tran De Port needs to be invested in modernly to be able to welcome cruise ships, opening up prospects for river tourism and the international tourist market to Can Tho and the Mekong Delta region".
River tourism is the strength of Can Tho and needs investment. In particular, the construction of products should be researched and renewed from river tourism programs in the direction of improving quality and enhancing experiences, especially experiences of culture, customs and lifestyle of the Mekong Delta.
AI LAM
Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/mo-loi-du-lich-duong-song-trong-khong-gian-moi-a189094.html
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