Da Nang government is waiting the green light from Vietnamese Ministry of Transport to open waterway routes connecting Da Nang with Cu Lao Cham or the Cham Islands off Quang Nam Province and Ly Son Island off Quang Ngai Province, respectively.

Over the past time, Da Nang's inland waterway tourism has developed, but there is no connection to the nearby provinces of Quang Nam and Quang Ngai. In the photo is a cruise ship operating on the Han River

The move aims to create many advantages for public travel and attract tourists to the two islands, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Transport Le Thanh Hung affirmed.

The General Director of Phu Quoc High Speed Boat Joint Stock Company (PHUQUOC EXPRESS) Vu Van Khuong proposed that the two aforementioned waterway routes should be added to the list of maritime transport routes from mainland to islands belonging to Vietnamese tertiary.

According to the company, the creation and diversification of world-class marine tourism product chains and brands, on the basis of biodiversity conservation and the unique values of natural and cultural heritages, and the connection with international tourist routes, is expected to help Viet Nam become an attractive destination on the world tourism map, as well as satisfy the desire to develop tourism and expand trade amongst the localities.

These are orientations stipulated in strategies for ensuring the sustainable development of the Vietnamese marine economy by 2030 and a vision to 2045.

Da Nang Tourism Association Chairman Cao Tri Dung highly appreciated and fully supported the decision on opening the two above-mentioned waterway routes.

He explained that, for a long time, anyone who wants to visit Cu Lao Cham and the Ly Son Island often has to make transit tours to Cua Dai in Hoi An or Sa Ky in Quang Ngai before taking boats heading to these tourist-packed islands.

Therefore, once these non-stop waterway routes linking Da Nang to the islands are launched in the coming time, it will be much more convenient for tourists to enjoy a lot of relaxing time on the waters during their boat journeys.

Besides, tourism businesses will find it easier to organise tours with more attractive new products for their guests.

The opening waterway routes connecting Da Nang with Cu Lao Cham and the Ly Son Island will greatly facilitate the development of waterways, especially inland waterway tourism. Here is a corner of the Da Nang-based Tien Sa Port.

In particular, it is necessary to build up specific survey trips to perfect the new route itineraries and schedules meeting tourists’ tastes and demands.

"If we can full tap the potential of these waterway routes, they will emerge as attractive tourism products which boost the post-pandemic recovery of Da Nang tourism industry”, said Dung.

It is known that on 24 February, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Nhat agreed on Da Nan’s proposal of opening waterway routes connecting Da Nang with Cu Lao Cham and the Ly Son Island.

He also asked relevant agencies to add the two above-mentioned waterway routes to the list of maritime transport routes from mainland to islands belonging to Vietnamese tertiary for consideration and approval by Vietnamese Ministry of Transport.

On 8 March, the Quang Ngai Provincial People's Committee gave a nod to the opening of the Da Nang - Ly Son waterway route as per the proposal made by the Ministry of Transport.

By THANH LAN, THU HA- Translated by A.T