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| Bach Dang Street still retains many old houses |
In the morning sunlight, a small electric boat glides gently across the waters of the Ngu Ha River. There is no noisy engine, no smell of fuel, only soft music blending with the river breeze and the slow-paced rhythm of life in the ancient urban area beside the Imperial Citadel.
The first experimental electric boat trips connecting the Huong River and the Ngu Ha River have quickly attracted public attention. For a long time, among Hue’s many tourism products, the potential of its inner-city river system has remained largely underexploited.
The Ngu Ha River was once an important waterway of the Hue Imperial Citadel. The river carries not only landscape value but also significance tied to the formation of the heritage city. However, for many years, riverside spaces have mainly served residential purposes, lacking distinctive tourism products capable of attracting visitors.
According to Mr. Phan Viet Trung, Director of Phoenix Oriental Joint Stock Company (Feniko) - the operator of the electric boats, the model is aimed at creating a green tourism experience suitable for the heritage environment.
The planned routes include the Ngu Ha River - Huong River route, the Huong River - Dong Ba - Ngu Ha - Ke Van route, and heritage connection routes along the Huong River. Visitors will be able to stop at heritage sites, traditional markets, walking streets, and community cultural spaces.
Ms. Minh Thanh, a tourist who experienced the electric boat ride, shared her excitement about viewing Hue from the river: “Everything feels very gentle. Sitting on the boat, you can admire the streets, listen to music, and chat without being disturbed by engine noise”.
Mr. Nguyen Viet Bang, Chairman of the Phu Xuan Ward People’s Committee said that Phu Xuan possesses a high concentration of heritage sites, traditional markets, and distinctive cultural spaces. From the Imperial City, Dong Ba Market, Gia Hoi old quarter, and Chi Lang Street to the riverfront areas along the Huong River and Ngu Ha River, all form a complex that carries historical value while also holding strong potential for commercial and service development.
Within its tourism and service development program linked to promoting cultural heritage values, Phu Xuan Ward identifies tourism as a spearhead economic sector. Notably, its development orientation is not based solely on exploiting heritage, but also linked to community livelihoods and private-sector economic development.
Head of the Ward’s Culture and Social Affairs Division Vo Thi Phuong Khanh said the locality is focusing on finalizing the Chi Lang old quarter project; developing Bach Dang Street into a culinary street combined with artistic spaces; and upgrading the Trinh Cong Son Park area to expand nighttime tourism spaces.
The ward is also planning to build a tourism-service ecosystem in Chi Lang, Gia Hoi, Bach Dang, and the old quarter area, where more than 80 tangible heritage sites are still preserved, including ancient temples and pagodas, aristocratic residences, and traditional ruong houses. It also aims to establish a night tourism route associated with Trinh Cong Son’s music and street culture activities along Trinh Cong Son Street.
A series of additional plans is also being studied, including the development of homestay models, traditional craft performance spaces, promotion of Hue ancient costumes and ao dai, as well as organizing walking streets, night streets, and seasonal festival activities associated with Hue Festival.
Notably, tourism development thinking in Phu Xuan is gradually shifting from isolated exploitation toward linked experiential chains: heritage sightseeing - cuisine - shopping - nightlife entertainment.
“The locality is encouraging residents along Chi Lang and Bach Dang streets to participate in improving living spaces, hanging lanterns, and developing tourism services. Many alleyways have been repaved, sidewalks renovated, and lighting systems upgraded to create additional highlights for the old quarter space while also ensuring public security and order for visitors”, Ms. Khanh shared.