This year, Covid-19 pandemic and natural disasters have together dealt a staggering blow to Da Nang tourism industry, including inland waterway tourism.

A tourist boat was pictured to transport tourists on the Han River - Son Tra Peninsula route

Data published by the Da Nang Department of Tourism show that, so far this year, Da Nang has hosted an estimated 2.79 million domestic and international visitor arrivals, down by 68.7% versus the year-ago period. International visitor arrivals in Da Nang have been 881,000, a decline of 80.5%, whilst the remainder have been domestic visitors, down by 60.6%.

There has been a 78% decrease in the number of tourists using inland waterway tourism services to stand at only 161,443.

Given the positive fact that Da Nang successfully contained the second coronavirus wave in September, Da Nang government has stepped up efforts to drive a post-pandemic inland waterway tourism recovery. 

Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Tourism Nguyen Xuan Binh said Da Nang government expects to develop new tourist sites and services along 8 inland waterway transportation routes during the 2019-2021 period.

The operation of these routes aims to fully tap the potential for the development of boat trips in Da Nang, and create new and attractive tourism products so as to satisfy the growing demand of both domestic and foreign visitors.

However, till date, only 3 of the 8 routes have been put into use. They are Han River - Tran Thi Ly Bridge, Han River - mouth of the Han River - Son Tra Peninsula, and Han River - Hon Chao routes.

By contrast, the development of the remaining 5 routes has encountered lots of difficulties in the investment appeals.

Picture taken on a tourist boat

Currently, there are a combined total of 27 tourist boats operating on Han River.

Despite facing some pandemic-trigged difficulties and challenges, Da Nang tourism sector has focussed on attracting investment into building new river-sea compatible ships (VR-SB) in a bid to provide better services for tourists.

For example, a modern 80-seater ship serving as a floating restaurant, built by the Da Nang-based Dong Vinh Thinh Co., Ltd, was already put into operation in early 2020.  

Likewise, the Cam Le District-based THP tourism company has been given approval from Da Nang government to conduct the building of a tourist boat which serves as a floating restaurant on the iconic Han River.

Designed by the HCM City-based DSC-Marine Co., Ltd., the soon-to-be-built 380 CV ship will be 20.85m long, 8.14m wide, and 2.25m in the width of the edge of the deck, with a loading capacity of 31.2 tonnes.

This river-sea compatible ship (VR-SB) will have a crew of 6, and it can accommodate 99 passengers and will have the capable of operating both on rivers and at sea. In particular, it must operate within 12 nautical miles from the sea shore.

The Da Nang branch of the Quang Nam-headquartered Dong Tay Tourist Co., Ltd, plans to build 2 new VR-SB ships next year.

In addition, three another domestic companies are asking for permission from Da Nang government to build 2 new ships to operate on the Da Nang Bay, and 2 others to operate near the Son Tra Peninsula.

New ships are scheduled to put into operation next year with the hope of ensuring ultimate safety and providing better services for tourists.

Deputy Director Binh remarked, in the year ahead, Da Nang will welcome both domestic and foreign investment into converting the former Han River Port and Song Thu Port into wharfs for tourist boats.

In an effort to attract more passengers onto tourist boats, importance will be attached to building trip boat piers, waiting lounged, ticket counters, toilets, and souvenir shops, as well as diversifying services offered on tourist boats.

By SONG KHUE - Translated by M.D