Over recent years, Da Nang has witnessed many great achievements in its river tourism which have combined to create a unique local tourism service.  Since the Rong (Dragon) and Tran Thị Ly bridges were opened last year, the city has seen a considerable increase in the number of boat tour bookings.  Most notably, the “Thuong Ngoan Song Han Ve Dem” (Enjoying the Beauty of the Han River in the Evening) tour has made a good impression on a large number of tourists although it has only been operating for about a year.  In addition, the introduction of this sightseeing boat tour has helped the local tourism sector solve issues relating to a shortage of night-time tourism activities.  Another tour, called “Kham Pha Bai Cat Vang” (Discovering Yellow Sand), has also been offered to both domestic and foreign visitors.

An architect’s model of the new Da Nang Marina complex

The city is now focusing on promoting river tourism, which offers great potential.  Most notably, the construction of the new Da Nang Marina complex will start on 25 April.  Developed by the DHC-Marina Company, the project will comprise a trip boat pier and anchorage for boats on the eastern side of the Han River.  According to local tourism experts, the construction of riverside piers and marinas is highly recommended because it will alleviate the shortage of anchorages for tourist boats in recent years as well as open up new prospects for the development of local river tourism.

In an effort to develop this type of tourism in the right direction, one focus will be on developing boat tours linking Da Nang to Hue City and to Quang Nam Province.  There are now about 12 local boat tours, but the majority of them use upgraded fishing vessels.  As a result, these boats are unsuitable for carrying a large number of passengers.

At a meeting in February to identify this year’s key tasks for the city’s culture, sports and tourism sectors, the Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, Mr Van Huu Chien, stressed the need to further promote the development of local river tourism and to make it the city’s unique tourism product.  The city’s relevant agencies were also directed to issue more preferential policies for the owners of local tourist boats, as well as to help them access loans so that they can build new boats or upgrade their existing ones.