Can Tho tourism revenues expected to increase 16% annually

Illustration photo

According to Director of the municipal Culture, Sports and Tourism Department Tran Viet Phuong, the city plans to promote tourism activities as well as diversify ecological, cultural and river tours to meet the demands of visitors.

The city will cooperate with the Mekong delta provinces of An Giang and Kien Giang to establish a “tourist triangle”, developing river, island and mountain tourism services.

A resolution has been issued by the municipal Party Committee, set out goals and tasks for the local tourism sector to follow in the 2016-2020 period. 

The city aims to welcome 32 million tourists, including 3.5 million foreigners, in the five years. The flow of tourist arrivals is set to grow 10% annually. 

The tourism sector is expected to generate VND12.1 trillion (around US$544.5 million) in total revenue with annual growth of 16%. 

It is hoped to create 39,300 jobs, including 13,100 direct and 26,200 indirect employments, with 80% of the workforce having occupational training. 

Can Tho city is located in a traffic junction linking the provinces in the region to Ho Chi Minh City and Cambodia. It is well known for its bird gardens, picturesque canals, Ninh Kieu wharf in Ninh Kieu district and Cai Rang floating market, the biggest fruit and agricultural wholesale market in the Mekong River delta.

The city is also famous for My Khanh tourist village where visitors can sample local fruits and admire various types of bonsai trees and animals such as birds, turtles, snakes, crabs and shrimp. It is home to historical and cultural relics including the Ong pagoda, Nam Nha pagoda and Binh Thuy temple.

By Vien Nhu