According to the latest statistics of the Traffic Police Department of Phu Yen Province, there are currently 33 canoes carrying tourists to visit and sightsee islands and bays near the shore.

However, all of these vehicles are not allowed to operate as tourist transport because Phu Yen province has not yet announced or licensed the exploitation of any inland waterways. At the same time, some vehicles do not have registration certificates or have expired inspections, not ensuring safe operation...

Since the beginning of the year, authorities in Phu Yen have punished 16 cases of violations of inland waterway traffic safety.

Some travel agencies also shared that Phu Yen has a long coastline with many beautiful islands, lagoons, bays... To promote the strengths of sea and island tourism, the basic factors are infrastructure and transportation. However, many canoes and tourist boats are not allowed to operate, affecting the needs of tourists.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Thai - Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Phu Yen, the province has plans and recommendations for developing coastal tourism routes. However, the operation and transportation of passengers at sea is under the authority of the Department of Transport.

Mr. Nguyen Tan Chan - Deputy Director of the Department of Transport of Phu Yen province - said that the People's Committee of Phu Yen province has issued Decision No. 89 on approving the plan to develop temporary inland waterway infrastructure in Phu Yen province in 2021.

According to this plan, Phu Yen province will develop 27 waterways, including: 9 inland waterways on rivers; 3 inland waterways in lagoons and bays; 9 inland waterways along the coast; 4 inland waterways from shore to island; 2 inter-provincial inland waterways.

At the same time, develop 7 cargo ports to support the development of industrial parks and industrial clusters; 60 wharves and inland waterway ports to serve passenger transport.

However, according to Mr. Chan, there is still no unit registered to exploit inland waterway routes, as well as build inland waterway ports... so there are still not enough conditions to grant licenses to exploit inland waterway routes.

"Most people just buy canoes and boats to do spontaneous transportation business. In the immediate future, the authorities will require owners of inland waterway vehicles to sign a commitment not to use vehicles that do not meet business conditions; to pick up and drop off tourists in the province," said Mr. Chan.