Massive inland waterway tourism plan gets greenlight in Da Nang

The Da Nang People’s Committee has officially approved an investment project for the construction and operation of inland waterway tourism throughout the city.

The project involves the construction, renovation, and expansion of 20 inland waterway wharves, along with associated infrastructure to support port operations. The total land area for these wharves exceeds 15 hectares.

In addition, the plan includes the construction of parks behind 11 of the wharves, with a combined area of over 25 hectares.

These sites will host inland waterway tourism activities and introduce new offerings such as guided tours, onboard dining, and entertainment to attract more visitors to this form of tourism.

Beyond tourism, the inland waterway port system will also function as docking and passenger transfer hubs, supporting public waterway transportation and easing the burden on road traffic. This approach also diversifies the city’s passenger transport options.

Green-energy vessels and phased development

According to the investment plan, passenger boats will be purchased to support the waterway tourism system. These vessels will run on clean and renewable energy sources and be environmentally friendly, with capacities ranging from 100–300 and 300–500 passengers per vessel.

The total investment for the project is approximately $389.9 million, which includes land clearance costs. The project will have a 50-year operational term and will be developed along the Han, Co Co, Vinh Dien, and Cam Le rivers.

The implementation will take place in two phases, comprising three sub-projects:

Phase 1 (2025–2030): This phase includes the construction of seven inland wharves along the Han River, from Thuan Phuoc Bridge to Tien Son Bridge, along with landscaped parks, boat purchases, and riverside art performances.

Phase 2 (2028–2031): This consists of two sub-projects. Sub-project 2 involves the construction of nine wharves along the Vinh Dien and Co Co rivers. Sub-project 3 adds four more wharves along the Cam Le River.

Each phase has a maximum duration of three years for capital mobilization and construction, starting from the date the investor receives land allocation. During this period, investors must complete all planning, land use, environmental compliance, investment deposit, and regular reporting requirements.

Ho Giap