The center of Hoi An walking street is flooded - Photo: BD
Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online on the morning of April 20, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hong - Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Nam province - affirmed that the idea of tourism in Hoi An during flood season is a serious matter and will be piloted in the near future.
See Hoi An in flood season
According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hong, in order to attract tourists, the tourism industry has worked hard to launch a series of new events and products. Among them, the Hoi An tour during the flood season has been officially announced to the public.
Accordingly, this never-before-announced tour was proposed by Hoi An to the department. After consideration, the culture and tourism sector agreed in principle to gradually implement it.
"Hoi An registered to include it in the tour with the province, so the local side will develop the product. However, it cannot be implemented immediately, but it can be piloted, done step by step. After the process, if successful, it will be expanded" - Mr. Hong further clarified.
Explaining the pilot tour, the director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Nam said that floods occur every year in Hoi An according to natural laws.
Hoi An ancient town flooded - Photo: DUY HAU
In fact, although it has not been licensed or officially approved, every flood season, it is easy to see groups of tourists wearing life jackets sitting on boats passing through flooded streets in the old town.
Realizing that experiencing the ancient town space is a real need, when receiving the proposal from Hoi An, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Nam expressed its support. The most concerning issue is the way to do it.
"We support it but require a pilot project first and especially ensure safety regulations for tourists. The process must be methodical, in accordance with regulations, licensed, well-managed and effective," Mr. Hong emphasized.
That's great, but…
When information about the Hoi An flood season tour was announced, many businesses, tourists and residents in Hoi An expressed concerns.
A director of a travel company specializing in taking tourists on river tours in Hoi An said the idea of traveling to the ancient town during flood season is worth considering. If done properly, Hoi An will have a unique experience.
But there are many "uncertain" points in the implementation and problem-solving of this tour.
Tourists visiting walking streets gradually submerged in flood water - Photo: DUY HAU
"Some people compare Hoi An to a giant antique that is… immersed in flood water every year. Because it is located so low, right at the end of the Thu Bon River, flooding is a natural law for Hoi An, happening every year.
For a long time, visitors to Hoi An have enjoyed wading and rowing boats through the streets flooded with silver water and admiring the ancient town on both sides. It is a wonderful experience that is hard to find anywhere else.
But if we don't explain and do the media well, we will be accused of doing tourism, laughing at the suffering of people in flood areas" - commented the owner of a travel company in Hoi An.
A representative of another business said that although the route has not been put into operation yet, every flood season, many tourists rent boats from locals and row around the old town.
"People spontaneously take out their boats to transport passengers to earn some money during floods, which is difficult to control. But for a long time, no business has dared to organize tours, even though the demand is very high. The reason is that when the flood comes, the police and militia are on duty at the roadside.
The barriers prevent visitors from passing through. Furthermore, no one would be foolish enough to take a high-risk tour without a license," explained Mr. TVH, director of a tourism business in Hoi An.
Hoi An residents and visitors are excited.
Many tourists and locals say they look forward to the unique flood season tour in Hoi An being licensed soon. Flooding is a natural law, whether you like it or not, every year Hoi An ancient town is flooded deeply, it is unavoidable. Residents in the ancient town have also developed excellent skills to live with floods for hundreds of years.
"Ancient Hoi An is beautiful from every angle and in every season. During flood season, the streets are flooded and the old houses are surrounded by silver water, which is very impressive. Because there is no license, for a long time, visitors mainly rent boats from the locals to experience it.
Once licensed, it will definitely come with safety assurance, when to go, and which routes boats can go on. I believe this is an interesting experience" - Ms. Mai Huyen, a female tourist in Da Nang, expressed her opinion.
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