Monday, May 19, 2025
A former teacher’s vision is now shaping the national benchmark for linking rivers, culture, and the sea within Vietnam’s tourism industry.
VietnamNet features an exclusive series by tourism expert Doan Huu Duc that thoroughly explores the growth of river-to-sea tourism in Vietnam. Through in-depth analysis and direct insights, this series uncovers the vast, underutilized potential of the country’s inland waterways alongside its extensive coastline.
Showcasing pioneering efforts from private companies like Focus Travel and underscoring the essential role of regional policy reforms, the series outlines a clear and ambitious roadmap to transform the Mekong Delta into a leading global tourism destination.
This strategic blueprint arrives at a pivotal moment, aiming to integrate river and maritime tourism seamlessly into Vietnam’s sustainable economic growth and cultural heritage.
Trailblazing innovators are steering a bold new course for tourism development in the Mekong region.
Recently, the 25th anniversary of Focus Travel, a family-owned business, marked a significant milestone. Founded by an individual from Hai Phong—a northern port city—who transitioned from teaching in Hanoi to establishing a marine tourism port in Nha Trang, this event highlighted not only the company’s progress but also a shift in Vietnam’s tourism landscape toward river and coastal ecosystems.
Focus Travel’s journey has played a crucial role in connecting the river-to-sea tourism network across the Mekong Delta.
An early gathering on the Tien Giang River, facilitated by VietnamNet during the “Stories of the Rivers” contest, brought together over fifty writers and experts passionate about the Mekong’s cultural and ecological significance. Discussions aboard a vessel named after a French novelist emphasized the need to preserve cultural legacies, including the fading floating markets.
Initially succeeding in Cambodia’s river cruise market, Focus Travel expanded its vision to include cross-border tourism routes linking Tien Giang, Ben Tre, and Vinh Long. This led to a familiarization trip and the launch of the Mekong Lover project—a four-million-dollar, custom-designed luxury vessel combining upscale cruising with authentic local culture, opening tourism access to less-explored areas.
While Cambodia has secured a strong position in the Mekong river cruise industry through streamlined regulations and effective public-private partnerships, Vietnam faces ongoing challenges.
A majority of Mekong river cruise activities remain concentrated in Cambodia, despite the river’s deep cultural and economic connections to southern Vietnam.
This disparity reveals structural weaknesses in Vietnam’s tourism sector, including fragmented governance, limited investment in river port infrastructure, and underused cultural and ecological resources.
Focus Travel’s transition from international routes to domestic river tourism, along with investment in marine infrastructure, marks a turning point.
The introduction of Ana Marina embodies the understanding that connecting inland waterways with coastal tourism extends beyond leisure—it is critical for trade, logistics, and regional development.
Achieving lasting transformation requires more than entrepreneurial ambition. Expanding river-to-sea tourism in Vietnam calls for a unified development strategy promoting collaboration among ministries responsible for Culture, Transport, Planning and Investment, and Natural Resources and Environment; the harmonization of local regulations; focused infrastructure investment such as modular docks and marinas; and enhanced capacity building emphasizing destination management and sustainable practices.
Cambodia has capitalized on international partnerships to become a premier Mekong cruise destination. With a larger territory, diverse natural assets, and greater market access, Vietnam holds unparalleled potential. Realizing this potential depends on fostering a policy and investment environment that supports private sector innovation.
Focus Travel’s achievements demonstrate the powerful results when entrepreneurial drive aligns with national objectives. Moving beyond isolated successes, Vietnam must build frameworks that attract, scale, and replicate innovative initiatives—ultimately fostering a vibrant ecosystem where river-to-sea tourism fuels inclusive and sustainable growth.
The opportunity to lead this dynamic tourism frontier is ripe. Vietnam is well-positioned to become a global pioneer in integrated river and coastal tourism.
