A company has proposed a plan to develop tourism at the famous Nga Bay floating market in Nga Bay Town in Hau Giang Province, at a cost of more than VND700 billion (nearly US$30 million).

At a working session with provincial officials on Tuesday, representatives of Phuoc Loc Trade-Construction Limited Company said the plan would be conducted in four phases.

The first two phase would be carried out in 2018 and 2019, with the company investing VND100 billion in building a fleet of tourist boats, necessary service facilities and an effective management apparatus for the market.

The company would also cooperate with local farmers, garden owners and artisans to create orchards, gardens and craft sites supplying products for the floating market and serving visitors as well.

In the next two phases from 2019 to 2023, the company would build a trade and service complex at the site, including walking areas, a park and square by the river, a four-star hotel, restaurants and homestay facilities. Its ambitious plan also envisions large-scale ecotourism sites and an urban area in Nga Bay town.

Le Gia Phuoc, director of Phuoc Loc Company, said that, considering the location and popularity of the Nga Bay floating market, the company wanted to develop a tourism site on a total area of 200ha.

Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Le Tien Chau said the province lacked capital for tourism development due to a limited budget.

He assigned agencies to create favourable conditions for the company to undertake procedures and realise the plan.

The Nga Bay floating market is one of the busiest markets in the Mekong Delta, and one frequented by tourists. It was formed more than a century ago at the crossing point of seven canals and rivers.

However, when local authorities moved the market to another site 10km away for waterway safety reasons, sales began to fall. The province is seeking ways to revive the market for tourism purposes. — VNS