In recent years, waterway tourism has gradually become one of the typical products of Ho Chi Minh City. Saigon River sightseeing routes, cultural - culinary experience programs, riverside entertainment activities or canal system discovery tours have gradually affirmed their attractiveness to people and tourists.
Recorded at the Saigon River bus route, the number of passengers is quite large, especially on weekends and summer days. Many families, groups of young people and international tourists choose to experience this type of transportation combined with sightseeing to see the city from a different perspective.
Mr. David (Australian tourist) shared: "I like exploring the city from the river because it is convenient and you can see modern buildings mixed with green spaces. This is a very worthwhile experience to try when coming to Ho Chi Minh City".
According to Mr. Nguyen Kim Toan - Director of Thuong Nhat Company - Saigon WaterBus and Saigon WaterGo, after the city expands its development space, especially when the Saigon River becomes a connecting axis from upstream to the sea, waterway tourism has more room to develop products and expand exploitation routes.
Businesses are focusing on improving service quality, ensuring safety, increasing the attractiveness of waterway tourism products, towards professional and sustainable development in the coming time.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, the city has a lot of potential to develop the riverside economy, especially in the fields of tourism, services, trade and night economy.
The outstanding advantage is the rich system of rivers and canals, in which the Saigon River plays a role as a typical ecological, cultural and historical landscape axis. This is the foundation for developing waterway tourism products, entertainment services, cuisine, commerce and experiential activities associated with riverside space.
In addition, the implementation of the Nighttime Economic Development Project and the Waterway Tourism Product Development Plan continues to open up great room for the formation of new products and services, contributing to diversifying experiences, extending stays and increasing tourist spending.
Based on the general planning orientations of the city and related specialized plans, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism believes that it is necessary to promote the role of each riverside area according to its own characteristics.
The central area can focus on developing tourism, culture, entertainment and nighttime economy activities; while suburban and coastal areas are suitable for ecotourism, community tourism and experiential products associated with natural resources and indigenous culture.
To more effectively exploit this potential, the city also needs to continue to strengthen the connection between waterway and road transport; invest in a system of waterway wharves, rest stops and support services in a synchronous, convenient, and safe direction. Thereby, improving the tourist experience and promoting the value of riverside space.
