Brian Jeffrey
We are pleased to present an insightful series by tourism authority Doan Huu Duc, emphasizing the advancement of Vietnam’s river-sea tourism. Through detailed analysis and personal experiences, this series delves into how Vietnam can harness its extensive waterways and coastal areas for tourism development.
Featuring the innovative initiatives of private companies like Focus Travel and the crucial role of regional governance changes, this series lays out a holistic plan for transforming the Mekong Delta into a premier tourism destination.
This roadmap is both timely and essential for integrating river and coastal tourism within Vietnam’s overall economic and cultural landscape.
At the 25th anniversary celebration of Focus Travel, held at Ana Marina Nha Trang – Vietnam’s inaugural private marine port – a crucial inquiry arose: Can Vietnam capitalize on such innovative projects to develop a unified and scalable river-sea tourism network?
The answer involves not just entrepreneurial spirit but also meaningful governance reform. Fortunately, there are indications of positive developments.
Vietnam’s strategic initiative to consider consolidating several Mekong Delta provinces not only reshapes bureaucratic functions, but also provides a significant chance to tackle one of the region’s enduring tourism obstacles: fragmentation.
Presently, the delta consists of 13 individual provinces, each operating its tourism policies, permits, and infrastructures independently. This divided approach hampers cooperative efforts, complicates river cruise logistics, and diminishes the potential for a fluid, cohesive tourism experience.
Historically, the Mekong Delta Tourism Association categorized the region’s eco-tourism into four distinct types: land-centered delta tours, river and orchard tours, submerged forest and Ramsar tours, and coastal as well as island tours.
These categories often obscure the distinctions between provinces, with some critics suggesting that a brief visit to Tien Giang or Ben Tre could encapsulate the entirety of the region’s tourism options.
The proposed mergers – such as combining Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, and Ben Tre – present an exciting opportunity to enhance infrastructure planning, unify tourism management, streamline cruise licensing, and foster a consolidated regional identity that can enhance luxury cruise tourism.
Cambodia serves as a successful case study. Its river cruise sector, led by operators like Victoria Mekong and bolstered by continuous public-private collaborations, benefits from cohesive logistics, integrated cultural narratives, and a stable regulatory environment. Cruises linking Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Vietnam flourish under this efficient framework.
In contrast, Vietnam’s segment of the Mekong, rich in cultural and ecological diversity, remains largely untapped. While many international cruises may start or end their journey in Vietnam, few venture inland to navigate the routes between provinces like An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho.
The area still grapples with regulatory obstacles, inadequate port facilities, and fragmented destination management.
To capitalize on this crucial opportunity, I recommend four strategic actions: Firstly, create a Mekong Delta River-Sea Tourism Board to oversee policies and investments. Secondly, focus on developing intermodal infrastructure to connect road, rail, river, and sea transport systems. Thirdly, implement a National Mekong Delta Tourism Marketing Strategy to highlight the region’s distinctive offerings. Lastly, provide public incentives to attract substantial private investment.
Focus Travel’s all-encompassing vision – linking a marine port in Nha Trang with Mekong river cruise paths – transcends mere business interest. It reflects the transformative possibilities within Vietnam’s evolving tourism sector.
The trajectory of tourism growth in Vietnam relies on its capacity to integrate experiences across land, river, and sea – an ambitious target that requires strategic alignment, institutional support, and investment collaboration.
Vietnam finds itself at a remarkable crossroads. The prospects are promising, and the ambition clear – what remains is to forge a unifying vision that aligns geography with governance to unlock the Mekong Delta’s extensive tourism potential.
