Can Tho focuses on developing new tourism products

Cai Rang Floating Market

The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho puts a plan afoot to develop infrastructure and diversify tourism products in a bid to draw more visitors in 2015, according to Le Minh Son, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

In addition to further promoting its existing destinations like Cai Rang floating market, Can Tho will launch a number of new products such as the traditional art and cultural programme of Khmer ethnic people in Pothysomrom pagoda in O Mon district, the Tan Loc fruit festival, ancient houses and Bang Lang stork park in Thot Not district, Pho Tho-Ba Bo flower village in Binh Thuy district, and fact-finding tours of farms.

A number of tourism-related events are scheduled for this year in the city, including the traditional southern cake festival and the Mekong Delta green tourism week.

Son said that the city is also making efforts to successfully host tourism cooperation activities between it and the four regional provinces of An Giang, Kien Giang, Ca Mau and Bac Lieu.

Additionally, Can Tho aims to launch several new domestic and international air routes connecting it with Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, the Republic of Korea, Singapore and Taiwan (China), while building high-end hotels, resorts, recreational and trade centres, and a bridge linking Ninh Kieu wharf and Cai Khe islet.

Aside from preserving weekly art performances at Ninh Kieu Wharf and Tay Do Theatre, the locality is also taking measures to promote community-based tourism, and ensure safety and convenience for holidaymakers.

In 2014, the city welcomed nearly 1.37 million tourists, including more than 220,000 foreigners, generating over 1.17 trillion VND (55.5 million USD), up 9 percent and 20 percent, respectively, against the previous year.