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| Experiencing electric boats at night |
Awakening the potential
In early April, I had the opportunity to experience a trial electric boat tour from the Huong River to the Ngu Ha River. The boat is compact, carrying fewer than 12 passengers, a perfect fit for the heritage setting. According to Mr. Phan Viet Trung, Director of Eastern Phoenix Joint Stock Company (Feniko), the operator, the boat’s design is inspired by the Mong Dong boat from the reign of Emperor Minh Mang, combined with rustic elements reminiscent of small boats drifting along the peaceful Huong River. The canopy features decorative patterns inspired by the phung lien (a type of palanquin used by the Nguyen Dynasty’s Queen Mother). Once registration and testing are completed, the electric boats will be officially put into operation as planned.
The experience offers a fresh perspective, allowing visitors to view the city and its heritage from the water. Ms. Ho Nhat Phuong, a passenger, shared: “The electric boat runs smoothly, with no smell of gasoline and no noise, making it ideal for sightseeing and chatting. The gentle music and cool breeze create a truly relaxing and pleasant atmosphere.”
According to Mr. Phan Viet Trung, while dragon boat service has long been famous for Ca Hue (Hue singing) performances on the river, the electric boat model aims to combine on-water experiences with sightseeing and services at riverside destinations along the route. The harmonious connection between waterways and heritage sites offers visitors a new perspective and engaging experiences.
Many travel agencies consider this an important first step in “awakening” the potential of Hue’s waterway tourism, especially the Ngu Ha River, a heritage river deeply intertwined with the Imperial City’s history and urban life.
Since 2011, Hue has oriented the development of waterway tourism routes linking the canal and lake system within the imperial city, with the expectation of creating a signature tourism product. However, for a long time, the city's rivers have mainly been used for transportation, with limited tourism services.
In 2018, tourism businesses surveyed a paddling route from the Huong River to the Ngu Ha River, connecting to the Dong Ba River. Despite many proposals, the implementation has been fragmented. The introduction of electric boats is therefore seen as a concrete step that turns long-held expectations into reality.
In fact, the ancient waterway system in Hue comprises a network of rivers, canals, lakes, and wharves, which are both natural and man-made, shaped and enriched over many generations. All are interconnected around the Huong River and its tributaries, forming a water transport network rich in historical, cultural, and scenic value.
Possessing a dense river network (0.11 km/km²) and a total length of approximately 563 km, the river system in Hue once served as vital transport arteries during the Nguyen Dynasty. Beyond transportation, rivers such as the Huong River, the Dong Ba River, the Bach Yen River, the Kim Long River, the Ngu Ha River, and the An Cuu River also help regulate the urban microclimate and manage flood drainage. Several of these rivers have long become cultural symbols and enduring sources of inspiration for poetry, music, and painting.
However, for a long time, when people thought of waterway tourism in Hue, they thought primarily of dragon boats on the Huong River. Meanwhile, under Decree No. 111/2014/ND-CP (dated 20 November 2014) on the service life of inland waterway vessels, many dragon boats in Hue have been reaching the end of their operational lifespan, necessitating renewal of both vessels and tourism products.
Tourism is identified as a key economic sector of Hue. Alongside waterway tourism development is the need to transition toward green energy. On July 21, 2023, Thua Thien Hue Provincial People’s Committee (now Hue City) issued Plan No. 268/KH-UBND to implement the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 876/QD-TTg on green energy transition and greenhouse gas emission reduction in the transport sector, demonstrating the locality’s strong commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly transport.
The introduction of electric boat tourism routes is therefore seen as a timely solution, contributing to diversifying tourism products, attracting visitors, and effectively tapping into the potential of the Huong River and its tributaries, in pursuit of the sustainable development goal of the heritage city.
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| Under the pilot project on heritage-linked waterway tourism routes using electric boats on the Huong River and its tributaries, implemented by Hue Institute for Development Studies and the Eastern Phoenix Joint Stock Company (Feniko), the operator plans to seek approval to invest in charging stations and electric boat pier infrastructure. This includes converting parts of existing piers into “Dedicated electric boat terminal area” (Toa Kham, Ben He, Chuong Duong, Kim Long, and Vong Canh). The company also plans to seek approval to lease and develop additional locations for connectivity infrastructure and build new piers to support the electric boat system. |
A long-term strategy
According to the plan, from 30 April, the electric boat system is scheduled to begin its pilot operation. In the first phase, planned routes include: Ngu Ha River - Huong River; Huong River - Dong Ba - Ngu Ha - Ke Van; and a heritage-linked route along the Huong River. In addition to fixed routes, on-demand boat rental services will also be available.
In the next phase, once the piers are completed, the operator will roll out a “hop-on hop-off” (boat bus) model, allowing visitors to board and disembark at key riverside attractions, including the Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda, Dong Ba Market, pedestrian streets, garden houses, and traditional craft villages; offering electric boat experiences along the Huong River and its tributaries. At the same time, it will expand investment and cooperation to build an integrated transport network linking electric boats with other transport modes such as open-top buses, electric vehicles, bicycles, and cyclos, etc., creating a seamless public transport network linking waterways and roads, connecting the city center and its outskirts, delivering both convenience for visitors and a diverse array of experiential products that boost local tourism revenue.
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| Visitors experienced a trial electric boat tour from the Huong River to the Ngu Ha River |
According to Mr. Phan Viet Trung, due to high investment costs, the number of electric boats will be built up gradually, from a few pilot vessels to around 30 boats by the third year. The infrastructure will be developed in sync with passenger terminals, connecting the Imperial City space with the Huong River. “We are also seeking the city’s approval to build new piers for the electric boat network. Moreover, the stopping points will be developed into service spaces with waiting areas, information counters, rest zones, and checking-in spots, adding further appeal to the tourism product,” he added.
Ms. Duong Thi Cong Ly, Vice Chairwoman and Head of the Product Committee of Hue City Travel Association, noted: “Electric boat tours along the heritage rivers are very attractive. As visitor expectations are increasingly rising, the development of specialized and personalized products will help enhance the competitiveness of Hue’s tourism sector.”
According to Ms. Tran Thi Hoai Tram, Director of Hue City Department of Tourism, the tourism sector has conducted numerous surveys to develop river-based tourism products. The launch of the heritage-linked tourism routes using electric boats marks an important step in the strategy to diversify the offerings and promote the cultural and scenic values of Hue's rivers.
With a long-term vision and coordinated efforts from the government, businesses, and the tourism sector, waterway tourism is poised for a transformation.