Opening the route, restoring the flow of heritage

The Hue Municipal People’s Committee has recently issued Decision No. 1015/QD-UBND, officially announcing the opening of an inland waterway route on the Ngu Ha River. The decision, signed by Hoang Hai Minh, Vice Chairman of the Hue City People’s Committee, marks a concrete step towards bringing the inner-city river system into operation for economic and tourism development.

Accordingly, the route is 3.5km long, starting from the downstream area of Thanh Long Bridge, where the Dong Ba River meets the Ngu Ha River, and ending at the upstream section of the Thuy Quan railway bridge, at the junction of the Ke Van River and the Ngu Ha River. The route is classified as a Class VI technical waterway, suitable for small inland watercraft.

The operation of the route is scheduled to begin on April 10, 2026. The Hue City Department of Construction has been assigned to take the lead in managing, maintaining, and operating the route, in coordination with local authorities and relevant units, ensuring compliance with technical standards and legal regulations.

The Ngu Ha River is an artificial river formed during the Nguyen Dynasty, running through the Imperial Citadel. It plays a role as a water transport route, a defensive line, and a distinctive landscape axis of the Hue Imperial Citadel. For many years, the river has mainly functioned as a drainage and environmental regulation channel. The opening of this route not only restores its role in water transport but also opens opportunities to exploit the landscape and cultural values of a heritage river.

Implementing the electric boat project, forming experiential tourism products

Along with the announcement of the route operation, the project to develop tourism using electric boats on the Ngu Ha River and its tributaries is being accelerated, with operations expected to begin on April 30, 2026.

According to the plan, 10 to 15 electric boats will be put into operation in 2026, designed to suit the heritage space to ensure aesthetics and safety. The boats have completed inspection, registration, and trial operations on the Huong River and its tributary routes.

The project is designed around three main product groups: transporting visitors after touring the Imperial Citadel to connect with other tourist sites; bringing visitors from outside into the heritage area; and providing experiential products such as sightseeing and photography, combined with cuisine and cultural activities on the river.

Infrastructure is proposed to be developed in line with docking points and pick-up/drop-off locations at Phung Hung, Dong Ba, Phu Xuan Park, Dieu De, He Wharf, Kim Long, and Toa Kham, connecting between the Imperial Citadel space and the Huong River system.

These stops will be developed into service spaces with waiting areas, information counters and rest areas; some locations are oriented to become check-in spots, enhancing the attractiveness and widespread of tourism products.

The electric boat model is oriented towards “green tourism”, reducing emissions in line with sustainable development goals, while offering a new approach to experience heritage spaces.