Promoting tourism development in Can Tho.

In 2026, Can Tho aims to welcome approximately 12.3 million tourists, striving to achieve total tourism revenue exceeding 11,400 billion VND, a growth rate of over 2 digits. To achieve this, industry leaders and businesses are working together to find solutions to promote tourism development.

Embracing the challenge

Mr. Truong Van Vinh, Director of Ido Travel Can Tho, analyzed: “Currently, fuel prices are rising, directly affecting transportation services, and subsequently many other services, creating significant pressure. However, one advantage is that Vietnam is highly rated for its safety index. Therefore, we have the opportunity to develop domestic tourism products. Specifically for Can Tho, the administrative boundaries have expanded, resources are more diverse, and advantages in specialties and festivals create conditions for designing more products. Among these, we should consider river tourism as the main product because it has all the necessary elements for development.”

River tourism is a product line that many tourism businesses suggest Can Tho should focus on investing in. In the photo: International tourists experience exploring Can Tho's waterways by boat.

In Can Tho, many businesses are investing in diverse river transportation options, ranging from traditional to modern, to create a variety of experiential services from budget-friendly to high-end. Therefore, tourism businesses have proposed a comprehensive survey of the entire river tourism product system to evaluate and develop new product offerings. For example, they could create day trips by cruise ship or explore the canal and estuary systems. Accordingly, travel agencies will work together to promote and sell these products. “To achieve this, the local tourism industry needs a concrete plan, and our tourism businesses are ready to participate. The common goal is to create a highlight and a breakthrough for Can Tho tourism in 2026,” added Mr. Truong Van Vinh.

Addressing limitations

Sharing the same view, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong, Director of Tan Dai Phong Company, believes that river tourism is a strength of Can Tho and should focus on developing products that leverage this advantage. However, there are many pressing issues that need to be addressed to give river tourism more room to develop.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong said: “The soul of river tourism is the Cai Rang floating market, but currently many problems arise such as prices, services, docks, touts, and environmental hygiene that need to be addressed.” Based on further analysis of the undesirable impacts from the practice of paying commissions on boats to attract customers, or the competition for customers between boats with varying prices, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong suggested: “Can Tho should have solutions and regulations regarding docks for passenger pick-up and drop-off, and more strict management of prices. Regulations should require price listing on boats and a hotline number for complaints. For boats and rafts offering experiential tours, specific regulations on the number of passengers should be in place to ensure safety. In the long term, Can Tho should have policies to encourage businesses to invest in water areas associated with tourism. Alongside the traditional floating market, there should be a parallel modern area to provide more diverse experiences and services.” Many tourism businesses agree that it's necessary to develop engaging experiences on the docks and boats, operating both day and night.

Mr. Tran Thanh Thai, Director of Mekong Smile Tourism and Trade Joint Stock Company, said: “Human resources in the tourism industry play a crucial role, especially staff and drivers of transportation vehicles. Therefore, I suggest that the city's tourism industry organize more training courses on service methods, so that each small step in the supply chain coordinates smoothly and with high quality.”

Mr. Sam Long Giang, Deputy Director of the City's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: “Regarding the existing problems, the department has reported them, and the city leadership has directed many departments and agencies to get involved. For example, the City Police will directly inspect and handle issues related to touting and pricing, while the Department of Agriculture and Environment will address issues of waste and environmental sanitation. Specifically for Cai Rang floating market, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been assigned the main task of revising a new plan. This new plan will include guidelines for the traditional area, service area, product development area, and the management boards of the floating market... We have recorded the proposals, suggestions, and ideas from businesses and will provide specific feedback, gradually resolving difficulties to promote the development of tourism in Can Tho in the coming time.”

Regarding human resources, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will continue to coordinate with schools and training institutions to organize more training courses on civilized tourism behavior.

Text and photos: AI LAM

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/thuc-day-phat-trien-du-lich-can-tho-a199997.html