Tourist vessels need mooring sites in HCM City waterways

HCM City is failing to exploit the tourist potential of its waterways due to a shortage of mooring stations for boats, said La Quoc Khanh, vice director of HCM City's Tourism Department.

Existing wharves are in a state of disrepair and inconveniently located, added Khanh.

River transport is further hampered by low bridges, which are impassable to large craft at high tide, such as those at Binh Loi, Rach Cat and at where the junction of the Loi Giang and Vam Sat rivers, he said.

"Marine tourism is still modest, on a very small scale, which is undeserving of its potential, " said Khanh.

Despite the lack of services, popular tourist routes are Bach Dang port to Nha Be and Binh Quoi districts and Cu Chi to Can Gio and Dong Nai districts.

More adventurous tourists can even travel by boat west to My Tho, Can Tho and Chau Doc provinces, or even the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh.

"In HCM City, it is necessary to build wharves in Districts 2, 7, 9 and Nha Be to create more favourable conditions for marine transport, " said An Son Lam, director of Dong Duong tourist company.

Meanwhile, Sai Gon tourism has requested permission from HCM City's People's Committee to upgrade Bach Dang wharf.

"The City should build more wharves or give tax incentives to investors to do the work, " said La Quoc Khanh.

Under HCM City's urbanisation plan, Thu Thiem District will become the southern city's new economic centre. There are also plans to boost tourism facilities on the Sai Gon and Dong Nai rivers and at Nha Rong port, according to the Department of Tourism.