In June, the inauguration event of the Can Tho Princess cruise ship restaurant by Viet Princess Cruises Joint Stock Company at Ninh Kieu Wharf marked a new turning point for the tourism brand "Can Tho - The City of rivers". The Can Tho Princess cruise ship is designed with three decks, accommodating 350 guests, operating nightly, and boarding guests at 5:30 PM at Bridge Pier No. 2, Ninh Kieu Wharf. It departs at 7:30 PM following a route along the Can Tho River and Hau River. Mr. Truong Quang Cuong, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Viet Princess Cruises, stated that the inauguration of the Can Tho Princess cruise ship affirms the company's development with a high-class cruise ship system and confidence in the dynamic growth of Can Tho tourism. Can Tho Princess will operate efficiently.
As the city lights up, the cruise ships - Can Tho, Ninh Kieu, Anh Duong, Can Tho Princess - depart the wharf, carrying passengers gently along the water, admiring the splendid night lights of Western Capital. The cruise ship system in operation in Can Tho has become a distinctive and impressive tourism product, leading the way in the Mekong Delta region. Mr. Nguyen Hoang Gia Bao, a visitor from Hanoi, expressed, "I have long heard of Can Tho's fame with Ninh Kieu Wharf, but this is the first time I've had the opportunity to admire it from a cruise ship on the river. Sitting on the cruise ship, enjoying specialties of the Western region, listening to traditional music performances, it's very fascinating."
Earlier in mid-May 2023, a noteworthy event in Can Tho tourism was the announcement by TTC Hotel - Can Tho of its attainment of a 5-star standard recognition from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism. The hotel is located in the Ninh Kieu area, featuring over 100 well-appointed and modern guest rooms, along with facilities such as an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, banquet halls, and restaurants. Ms. Chau Thi Kim Phuoc, Deputy General Director of TTC Hospitality, explained that to achieve 5-star recognition, TTC Hospitality upgraded and enhanced numerous aspects at TTC Hotel - Can Tho. As part of the 2023 plan, TTC Hospitality will continue investing in business locations to enhance competitiveness in terms of infrastructure, and service quality, and target the mid to high-end customer segment of the domestic market.
Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuan, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Can Tho City, stated: One of the strengths of Can Tho lies in its developed tourism infrastructure. Currently, Can Tho has approximately 630 accommodation establishments with over 11,000 rooms. Among them, there are 3 5-star hotels, 8 4-star hotels, 12 3-star hotels, and numerous other high-end hotels. Additionally, Can Tho boasts various eco-resort tourism areas, diverse commercial and service forms, and entertainment options to meet the accommodation and relaxation needs of the numerous visitors to the city.
Can Tho City possesses multiple advantages and potential for tourism development, stemming from its local resources, central regional location, and well-developed technical infrastructure for tourism services, such as the international airport and transportation networks. Furthermore, to effectively exploit these tourism resources, the investment and enhancement of infrastructure and facilities are prerequisite conditions to "pave the way." In recent years, alongside funding from the budget, attracting capable and experienced investors and businesses in the tourism sector has contributed to solving this puzzle.
The hotel and restaurant system in Can Tho serves as an example. In addition to the three 5-star hotels - TTC Hotel - Can Tho, Muong Thanh, and Sheraton - the remaining hotel system is also of high quality, and professionalism, and collectively meets the development needs of Can Tho's tourism. Grasping the trend of combining tourism with conferences and events (MICE), in recent years, Dong Ha Fortuneland Hotel (Ninh Kieu District) has invested in its physical facilities to serve and leave an impression. Ms. Le Thi Kim Thu, Director of Dong Ha Fortuneland Hotel, explained: Dong Ha Fortuneland Hotel holds a 4-star standard, with 12 floors and 146 guest rooms categorized into different levels. Particularly, the hotel features various areas for seminars, conferences, and restaurants, catering to guest demands.
Furthermore, the model of combining resort accommodation with eco-tourism has also been a highlight of Can Tho's tourism in recent years. Tourist areas such as My Khanh, Ong De, Can Tho Ecolodge... not only provide eco-tourism experiences but also offer highly professional lodging facilities. A recent "phenomenon" in this category is the Can Tho Eco Resort (Phong Dien District). The lush waterside garden space adorned with green trees and fruits is complemented by traditional folk entertainment areas, creating a charming attraction that draws a large number of visitors. Ms. Le Hong Cam, the owner of the resort, added: To create a scenic environment for the resort and enhance the experience of guests staying here, we have invested in recreating many impressive landscapes. Visitors can admire the ancient red brick kilns, the vibrant green rice fields under the sun, or the time-honored colorful ancient houses. Ms. Le Thi Kim Hien, a visitor, shared: "I brought my family from the United States to Vietnam for a vacation and brought them to Can Tho Eco Resort to experience and relax. The ambiance here is truly wonderful!"
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In the Regional Development Plan for the Mekong Delta Region for the period 2021-2030, with a vision towards 2050, which has been approved by the Government, one of the significant objectives is for Can Tho to strive towards becoming an eco-friendly, cultured, modern city that strongly embodies the cultural identity of the river, and serves as the central hub of the Mekong Delta Region for services, commerce, and tourism. Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuan stated: Can Tho City aims to make tourism a key economic sector; to transform Can Tho into a tourism hub and coordination center for the Mekong Delta Region, as well as one of the country's major tourism development centers. Accordingly, Can Tho will focus on attracting numerous investors, developing various tourism products to stimulate tourism, especially river tourism; and emphasizing the development of nighttime economic services, diversifying services on the wharves and under the boats in the Ninh Kieu area.
Developing tourism in-depth, professionally, modernly, and sustainably, starting from a comprehensive and synchronized tourism infrastructure foundation, is the effective approach that Can Tho's tourism is currently utilizing.
Can Tho Princess cruise ship restaurant.
