The Saigontourist Group on October 24 launched a river tour from Bach Dang wharf in downtown HCM City to tourist attractions in Can Gio District, one of the first efforts to revive the tourism sector as the city eases COVID-19 curbs.
Tourists explore Thieng Lieng Island in Can Gio District’s Thanh An Commune. Photo Hoang Tuyet
Fifty tourists left for Vam Sat Ecological Park and Thieng Lieng Island in Can Gio by a Greenlines high-speed ferry. They cruised on the Sai Gon River and explored the Can Gio wetlands and the area’s signature dishes.
The coastal district is noted for its vast mangrove forests and wildlife sanctuaries, and was designated the first Mangrove Biosphere Reserve in Viet Nam in 2000 by UNESCO.
Truong Thanh Vinh, a five-star hotel employee in the city, said he had visited Can Gio several times but it was his first river trip to the place.
A trip with friends was a relief from the mental strain after months of travel restrictions due to the pandemic, he said.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, director of the city Department of Tourism, said the river tour was aimed at diversifying safe travel products, gradually reviving the tourism industry.
The department will co-ordinate with travel firms and local authorities to run more such river tours, including Bach Dang- District 7- Can Gio and Bach Dang-Cu Chi-Binh Duong.
In the past few years the city has been launching a number of them, including Bach Dang- District 7, Bach Dang - Binh Quoi, Bach Dang - Cu Chi, Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal, and Bach Dang - Cu Chi - Binh Duong