Ho Chi Minh City plans to run overnight cruises along the Saigon River early next year.

This marks one of the main tasks implemented by the southern city’s Department of Tourism to boost waterway tourism until 2025.

The move will see HCM City strive to develop important tourist routes on the river, including a floating market that will operate beneath the Tan Thuan Bridge between District 7 and District 4 on Saturdays and Sundays.

A number of water entertainment sports, including kayaking, will also be launched with the main aim of creating a bustling atmosphere on the inner city river routes.

The tourism department hopes to serve 1.5 million people travelling by waterway by 2025 and increase the figure by between 10% and 15% annually beyond.

By 2030 the city hopes that waterway tourism will become one of the typical tourism products in the locality.