With its advantages in waterways, Hai Phong is orienting waterway tourism to become a distinctive strength with national and international significance.
This was shared by Ms. Tran Thi Hoang Mai – Director of Hai Phong Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism at the recent seminar "Developing Waterway Tourism in Hai Phong: Foundations, Science, Orientation and Solutions."
Hai Phong – the city of rivers
Hai Phong boasts a dense river network, with the highest river density in the North, featuring over 50 rivers. Surrounded on all sides by rivers and connected by nearly 100 bridges, Hai Phong is known as the city of rivers and bridges. These rivers not only hold rich cultural and historical value but also play a vital role in the socio-economic development of the city. Among the over 50 rivers, 16 are major ones, including the famous Bach Dang, Cam, Lach Tray, Van Uc, and Thai Binh rivers. Three key river landscape corridors—Cam, Lach Tray, and Van Uc—are designated as economic and tourism development axes for river-based tourism in Hai Phong.
However, currently, Hai Phong lacks official river tourism tours and mainly has passenger transport services and a few spontaneous tourism activities. Thus, this type of tourism has yet to be fully developed and economically optimized.
Explaining this situation, Ms. Mai pointed out major challenges such as poor waterway infrastructure, a significant barrier to river tourism development. Hai Phong's ports are mainly general and cargo ports; there are no international marinas or dedicated cruise ports. Many destinations lack piers. There is no synchronized strategy, planning, or roadmap for developing river tourism. River landscapes are underdeveloped, lacking artistic lighting systems, and are affected by pollution and disorganized surroundings. In addition, cultural, historical, spiritual, ecological, and recreational riverside experiences are still underdeveloped.
Orienting river tourism as a core product
In the coming years, Hai Phong aims to make tourism a key economic sector and one of the city's three strategic breakthroughs. Notably, river tourism integrated with island-resort experiences, cultural exploration, and eco-tourism is a priority in Hai Phong's tourism strategy to 2030.
River tourism should generate long-term economic value for both the locality and stakeholders, helping reduce pressure on natural resources, protect the environment, maintain social order, and create new job opportunities.
At the seminar, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Long (Faculty of Tourism Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University) emphasized the need for synchronized infrastructure planning and a comprehensive river tourism development project. He recommended dredging and widening river routes, building suitable piers and ports, and developing support services like restaurants, hotels, riverside experiences, lighting systems, and local culinary offerings to enhance tourist experiences.
To create uniqueness, the city should study and launch river-sea tourism routes connecting the historic inner city with the Cat Ba World Natural Heritage site. Additionally, develop routes linking Hai Phong’s cultural and historical sites and the broader Red River civilization heritage. World-class river shows, Hai Phong-themed cruise ships tailored to tourism types, and quality services should be built to let each river tell its own historical and cultural story.
Hai Phong has 16 national inland waterway routes, allowing tourist boats to reach key northern provinces like Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, Hanoi, Nam Dinh, and Ninh Binh. Enhancing regional linkages and interprovincial tour packages would offer visitors a richer experience.
However, to promote this field, local government, businesses, and communities must work together. The city needs clear roadmaps, guidelines, and legal frameworks to unite all parties in developing Hai Phong’s waterway tourism.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dan Duc Hiep, former Vice Chairman of Hai Phong People's Committee, stated: "The city should develop supportive mechanisms and policies for waterway tourism, including budget investments in route expansion and support for new vessels. Preferential loans and reduced port rental costs should also be offered to help Hai Phong develop river tourism to its full potential."
Director Tran Thi Hoang Mai emphasized: "River tourism must be green and sustainable. Protecting waterway environments is critical, requiring effective pollution control, waste treatment, and sustainable management when operational."
Also on the same day, the Department organized a field survey on Vu Yen Island to evaluate key points along river-sea landscape corridors, proposed passenger piers, experience zones, and check-in points, assessing tourist appeal and safety. The team also surveyed the river landscape route along the Cam – Da Bac (Bach Dang Giang) – Ruot Lon rivers, including stops at Hong Bang Port – Hoang Dieu Port – Vu Yen Marina – Bach Dang Giang – Mat Rong Fishing Port – Hong Bang Port.