Da Nang-Cu Lao Cham Waterway Enhances Safety Amidst Tourist Surge

The Cu Lao Cham archipelago, located about 15 kilometers off the coast of Da Nang city in central Vietnam, is a popular tourist destination, attracting a large number of visitors, especially during the summer months. In response to the increasing demand for travel and accommodation, authorities are prioritizing safety measures for every boat trip to and from the island. At Cua Dai Port in Hoi An Dong ward, Da Nang city, the gateway to Cu Lao Cham, strict checks are conducted from the ticket purchase to boarding the speedboat. The Border Guard force meticulously records and verifies information such as passenger details, ticket vendors, transportation methods, and departure times. The Cua Dai Border Guard Station, part of the Da Nang City Border Guard Command, deploys 3-5 officers and soldiers to inspect departing speedboats, each with specific responsibilities. On the island side, the Cu Lao Cham Border Guard Station assigns personnel to the pier to monitor compliance with waterway safety regulations for boat captains and passengers before they depart. Lieutenant Colonel Van Thanh Loc, Head of the Cua Dai Border Guard Station, stated that annually, during this period, tourist traffic to and from Cu Lao Cham increases significantly. Therefore, before each tourist season, the unit regularly informs passenger transport businesses about the importance of inspecting, maintaining, and ensuring the technical safety of their vessels. Furthermore, the unit collaborates with functional forces to enhance rescue and relief capabilities, organizing drills for potential weather-related incidents during inland waterway tourism operations, and providing guidance on rescue, relief, and emergency response skills to ensure tourist safety. "In addition to the surge in tourist arrivals and departures during the summer season, the daily travel needs and fishing activities of local residents also contribute to significant traffic on the Cua Dai-Cu Lao Cham waterway. Therefore, the unit maintains a constant state of readiness to respond to any situation, aiming to build a civilized, safe, and efficient inland waterway," Lt. Col. Loc added. Statistics show that the Cua Dai-Cu Lao Cham waterway currently has over 40 inland waterway transport businesses operating more than 70 tourist boats that meet operational standards, with capacities ranging from 12 to 79 seats. During peak season, an average of over 2,000 passengers travel daily, and with vessels operating at high capacity, the pressure on this waterway is considerable. The "Cua Dai-Cu Lao Cham Inland Waterway Cultural and Safe Route" model, launched on March 29, 2023, with the participation of businesses and vessel owners, has yielded positive results in fostering a more friendly tourism image. Ms. Le Thi My Thuy, Director of Thuy Thuy Tourism Co., Ltd., and Head of the Cua Dai-Cu Lao Cham Waterway Self-Management Team, shared that the implementation of this model has strengthened connections among team members, enabling businesses to enhance supervision, inspection, and regular maintenance of their vessels, ensuring they are fit for operation and adhere to passenger limits. However, Mr. Le Moi, Secretary of the Tan Hiep Commune Party Committee, pointed out that while this waterway is directly linked to the tourism image of Da Nang city and Tan Hiep commune, it faces several shortcomings. The channel is quite shallow and frequently silts up, and the port infrastructure is inadequate for large-capacity vessels. Notably, due to weather fluctuations, the lack of specific weather forecasts for the area often leads to tourists being stranded on the island, disrupting their itineraries. Mr. Le Moi emphasized that these limitations need to be addressed promptly to ensure the waterway remains clear and safe, thereby enhancing service quality and the city's tourism image.