Boasting many rivers stretching from rural to urban areas, Da Nang has great potential for the development of river-based tourism.

Some inspectors from the municipal Department of Tourism paying an inspection visit to a trip boat pier at the historical relic site K20 in Ngu Hanh Son District

In an attempt to fully tap the river tourism development potential, the Da Nang authorities have recently approved to put 8 inland waterway transportation routes into operation during the 2019-2021 period. These routes are Han River-Tran Thi Ly Bridge, Han River Port - the mouth of the Han River - Son Tra Peninsula, Han River - Hon Chao, Son Tra Peninsula, Han River - Marble Mountains, Cam Le - Tuy Loan - Thai Lai, Cu De - Truong Dinh, and Han River – Cham Islands.

However, new tourist sites and services have yet to be developed along these routes.

To date, the construction of trip boat piers at CT15, the historical relic site K20, and the Tuy Loan and Thai Lai communal villages has been basically completed, and these piers are available for serving passengers.

The Chairman of the municipal Travel Association, Mr Cao Tri Dung, stressed the need for the city to develop new and attractive tourist sites and services along the inland waterway transportation routes in a bid to increase tourist arrivals in Da Nang.

He suggested that visitors on the Cam Le - Tuy Loan - Thai Lai route should be taken to visit the Tich Thien Duong house, plus go to a rural market to buy fresh ingredients for cooking such local dishes as Quang noodles, and ‘banh loc’ (steamed clear tapioca cakes in banana leaves). In addition, they can enjoy memorable boating experience in the river. This will help visitors become more actively involved in many exciting activities, and avoid boredom during the tour.

Belonging to Mr Do Huu Minh, the 200-year-old Tich Thien Duong house in Hoa Nhon Ward’s Thai Lai Village has become a must-visit place in the locality.

Currently, Mr Minh is constructing some items, including homestays, and kitchens for visitors to cook local dishes. Apart from discovering the unique architectural characteristics of a Vietnamese ancient traditional house, visitors to the ancient house can take a rest, try local dishes, and explore the house’s green space.

As for the Han River - Marble Mountains route, visitors can visit the secret tunnel for revolutionary cadres of the family of Mr Huynh Trung in Ngu Hanh Son District apart from the historical relic site K20.

This tunnel was built below the indoor altar, and it has been refurbished and widened in order for visitors to crawl through the tunnel to the bank of the river.

Mr Le Ngoc Nhat, the Deputy Head of the Management Board of the Marble Mountains Tourist Area, underlined the necessity for relevant agencies to develop even more inviting attractions along the routes, including the re-creation of a Vietnamese rural village to attract more visitors in the coming time.