Since 2015, Saigon authorities have been prohibiting hydrofoils and restaurant boats to anchor at Bach Dang Wharf to pave way for the area's renovation and upgrade.
Recently, the city government has announced that it will now allow boats to anchor at Bach Dang, and start developing the promenade into a nighttime food street, Thanh Nien reports. The pilot program will run for one year.
According to the new initiative, companies are responsible for relocating their business without demanding compensation when the city starts to implement the food street on Bach Dang Wharf. During holiday occasions, restaurant boats have to report to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and receive approval before anchoring at Nguyen Kieu Station.
City authorities also ordered the Department of Transportation to supervise the business activities closely to ensure hygiene, environmental friendliness and traffic safety. Should any potential risk of safety occur, the department must report to the city to end the pilot program.
"This new initiative not only fulfills the entertainment needs for a large number of the city's residents but also opens up more opportunities for river tourism, which can be turned into a unique attraction that can contribute to the growth of the city's tourism industry," said Phan Xuan Anh, chairman of a tourist company, upon hearing the news.
[Photo via Hotwire]
