HỘI AN — A kayak service operator has launched tours that will give both locals and foreigners the chance to clean up waterways in the vicinity of Hội An City.

Võ Tấn Tân, operator of Hội An Kayak Tours, told Việt Nam News that the clean-up tours will take place every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. They will cover the Thu Bồn River, the nipa palm forest in Cẩm Thanh Commune and the Hoài River, a tributary of Thu Bồn.

Tân said the clean-up tours will remove all kinds of rubbish including plastic bags and bottles dropped in the waters by irresponsible residents or tourists.

He said the tour will raise awareness among local people and tourists about keeping Hội An and its rivers clean and green.

Tourists will pay US$10 each to join the kayak clean-up tour. Kayakers will depart from the Thuận Tình sandbank near Cửa Đại Bridge and go down to the Thu Bồn River and small canals of the nipa palm forest in Cẩm Thanh Commune before reaching Hội An city.

Kayakers will collect garbage even as they enjoy the beauty of Hội An and the nipa palm forest.

Three years ago, Cẩm Thanh Commune had begun offering the opportunity to join afforestation efforts alongside tours of its nipa palm forest.

Villagers have been planting nipa palms for the last 100 years to protect the commune from the Thu Bồn River in spate. The forest is part of the internationally recognised Chàm Island-Hội An bio-reserve. It is also a favoured eco-tour destination.  

Tân said tourists can also join two-hour classes and learn how to make bamboo souvenirs.

Local craftsmen also produce bicycles made from 50 per cent bamboo, including the frame, handle-bars, mud-guard and chain-guard.

The tours can be booked by email at hoiankayaktours@gmail.com or at the www.hoiankayaktours.com website. Hotlines for further information are: 0979437338 and 0916645858. — VNS