HCM CITY Specific measures should be carried out to further develop Cái Răng Floating Market in Cần Thơ City, Dương Tấn Hiển, the deputy chairman of the city People’s Committee, has said.
Speaking at a recent meeting on “Conservation and Development of Cái Răng Floating Market”, Hiển said that Cần Thơ City has many tourism advantages, including complex river systems, delicious fruits, great weather and hospitable locals.
Since Cái Răng Floating Market is one of the world’s top floating markets, authorities developed a plan for the 2016-20 period consisting of 13 key construction works to further develop the destination.
However, after three years of implementing the scheme, the number of trading boats to Cái Răng Floating Market has fallen significantly while visitor feedback has not been positive.
To solve the problem, experts said that it is necessary to support traders at Cái Răng Floating Market with preferential loans and that sanitation work at the market must be controlled.
More importantly, while Cái Răng Floating Market has to have more photogenic spots for tourists to take photos, locals should create unique, creative souvenirs and ensure that food dishes are clean and high quality.
Cần Thơ City welcomed nearly 1.5 million visitors in the first six months of the year, up 16 per cent year on year, according to Vương Công Khanh, deputy chairman of Cái Răng District People’s Committee.
The Cái Răng Floating Market is one of the most attractive tourism spots, accounting for more than 70 per cent of visitors to the area.
The total revenue from tourism within the first six months is estimated to be VNĐ2, 300 billion, up 17.1 per cent year-on-year, Khanh said.
Since 2016, Cần Thơ City has spent VNĐ16 billion to promote Cái Răng Floating Market, with activities including ensuring water traffic safety within the market’s area and protecting the environment, among other tasks.
There are several challenges that authorities have yet to overcome such as mark-up service prices, efficient waste treatment, decreased traffic flow to the market, and locals’ awareness to preserve the area. VNS