A boat docks on a beach off the Cham Islands. The world biosphere reserve is vulnerable to mass tourism with overloaded boats and logistics demands. (Photo: VNA) Quang Nam (VNS/VNA) - The Cham Islands off the coast of Hoi An have since 2015 limited the number of tourists permitted to 3,000 per day to protect the vulnerable world biosphere reserve site from being overrun by boats and waste, but the area is in crisis despite these efforts. Leaders of the protected area have expressed reluctance to allow in more boats, but officials from neighbouring Da Nang said they will go ahead with a plan to add a new route to the islands. Director of the Cham Islands-Hoi An Marine Protected Area (MPA) Centre Tran Thi Hong Thuy has advocated against allowing more tourists and boats from the neighbouring city of Da Nang. In April, Da Nang released a plan to develop eight aquatic tourism services – including a direct boat route from the Han River to the Cham Islands – by 2021. However, … [Read more...] about Cham Islands officials resist plan to send tourist boats from Da Nang
Logistics
Go-Jek to set foot in Vietnam?
Vietnam is considered an ideal destination for investing in motorcycle ride-hailing services as it has a population of 90 million and 45 million registered motorcycles. Besides, operating expenses in Vietnam are cheaper than in markets like Singapore and Malaysia. Last year, Go-Jek opined that Vietnam will be the company’s second destination in Southeast Asia, following the Philippines, and its third overseas market in Asia. According to Go-Jek, investing in Vietnam will open up opportunities for it to develop the Go-Pay payment application. Established in 2010 as a phone-based motorcycle ride-hailing service, Go-Jek has evolved into an on-demand mobile platform and a cutting-edge app, providing a wide range of services that includes transportation, logistics, mobile payments, food delivery, and many other on-demand services. Go-Jek is valued at $5 billion. Entering Vietnam, Go-Jek will have to compete with heavyweight competitors like GrabBike and UberMotor. In late September … [Read more...] about Go-Jek to set foot in Vietnam?
