A render of the waterfront theatre in the central area of the Can Gio urban area. — Courtesy of Can Gio District People's Committee HCM CITY
HCM CITY (Vietnam News Network/Asia News Network): HCM City plans to turn Can Gio district into an ecological urban area as part of efforts to urbanise it and improve the quality of life for locals.
With a 13-km coastline and extensive mangrove forest intertwined with a dense system of rivers, canals and diverse flora and fauna, Can Gio has huge potential to develop eco-tourism, community-based tourism, and resort tourism, experts say.
A coastal district located 50km from the city centre, Can Gio has a total area of more than 70,412ha, including more than 33,000ha of mangrove forests. The Can Gio Mangrove Forest was recognised as a biosphere reserve by Unesco in 2000. Its salt making villages, swallow nest areas, seafood and fruit gardens are all appealing tourist attractions.
The city plans to solicit investment in the district, especially in major projects such as the Can Gio Sea Encroachment project, Can Gio Bridge, an upgrade of the Rung Sac route, and a ferry port.
The city also aims to boost sustainable development of services, agriculture and the marine economy, protect the mangrove forests and build the district into an international entertainment and tourism area.
It also plans a number of major urbanisation projects in Can Gio.
They include the 3.4km Can Gio Bridge on the Soai Rạp River between the district and the rest of the city.
A high-speed boat service will be operated between Bach Dang Wharf in the downtown area, the district and neighbouring Vung Tau City.
A proposed helicopter charter service between downtown and Can Gio will cater to local and international tourists.
A sea bridge between Can Gio and Vung Tau will also be built by 2025.
The City also plans to build the Can Gio Sea Encroachment Project, which is expected to help create 25,000 jobs and bring significant revenue to the city.
It will be developed in the coastal Long Hoa Commune and Can Thanh Town on an area of 2,870ha by the Can Gio Tourism Urban Area Joint Stock Company.
It will be situated some 18km from the famous Can Gio's Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, close to the Xoai Rạp and Long Tau rivers, 17km from the Vam Sat Eco-Tourism Area, and 4km from Monkey Island.
The district is expected to contribute to the city’s economy by creating more jobs and bringing in revenue.
The district has recently seen a 50 per cent average increase in the number of visitors per year.
Can Gio's tourism development has been relatively slow since it can only be reached by ferry, but the construction of the huge bridges linking it with the rest of the city will make it easier to reach.
The district has recently seen a 50 per cent average increase in the number of visitors per year.
Can Gio district is the only area bordering the sea in HCM City.
It has tourist attractions such as Monkey Island, Hang Duong Seafood Market, the Vam Sat Ecological Tourist Area, and Rung Sac (Sac Forest).
Can Gio is also well-known for its annual Nghinh Ong (Whale Worshiping) Festival recognised as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Studies have shown that the Can Gio mangroves help filter grey water from upstream and regulate flood flows.
One of the world’s largest rehabilitated mangrove forests also serves as a green lung and a bulwark shielding the city from storms and extreme weather.
