On October 8, the leaders of the People's Committee of Can Tho City listened to a report on the conservation and development of Cai Rang floating market associated with tourism development in the new situation.
According to the People's Committee of Cai Rang Ward, there are currently about 210 boats and ships in the floating market area that are operating regularly, mainly exchanging agricultural products, fruits and goods for tourism. In recent times, the locality has promoted propaganda, mobilizing traders and people to comply with legal regulations on waterway traffic safety, goods quality, vehicle registration, inspection and tourism service standards.
Regarding infrastructure, the Can Tho City Project Management Board has completed and put into use the Can Tho River Embankment Project - Responding to climate change, contributing to beautifying the landscape and stabilizing the market's operations. The locality is implementing a project to build a new floating market bridge and related items, ... to facilitate tourists.
However, conservation work still faces many difficulties such as: waste collection, environmental pollution treatment, spontaneous tourism management. Some tourist vehicles have not been registered and inspected; unhealthy competition for service prices still occurs.
The People's Committee of Cai Rang Ward recommends that the City assign the authority of state management of the floating market to the locality, and at the same time support funding for renting environmental sanitation along the coast and on the river (800 million VND/year), propaganda, inspection, tourism development (1 billion VND/year), organizing the Cai Rang Floating Market Tourism Festival (3 billion VND/year) and other related funding.
Mr. Sam Long Giang, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Can Tho City, said that the Department will survey and evaluate the current status of practice and cultural value of Cai Rang floating market heritage; identify the risk of extinction and propose conservation measures through recording, filming, taking photos and digitizing documents, contributing to promoting and long-term preservation of the heritage.
The Department will also increase tourism promotion and advertising through the Internet, communication and application of digital technology. Many tourist attractions linking floating markets have been formed, serving the needs of tourists well.
Speaking at the meeting, Vice Chairwoman of Can Tho City People's Committee Nguyen Thi Ngoc Diep assigned the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to coordinate with sectors and localities to strengthen propaganda, ensure shopping, entertainment activities and serve civilized and safe tourism.
Ms. Diep also requested the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to preside over and coordinate with relevant units to develop a new project to develop Cai Rang floating market, on the basis of inheriting the previous conservation project; clearly defining the state investment and the socialization part, aiming to preserve the cultural values of the river and develop Cai Rang floating market sustainably and long-term.
