Thach Han River: fascinating fun spot with kayaking and SUP rowing

Recently, the bank of Thach Han River that lies along Ngo Quyen Street in Quang Tri Town has become lively with new recreational activities attracting crowds of tourists from all around Quang Tri Province and beyond. In particular, kayaking and standup paddleboarding (SUP) on the water has created amazing sensations.

The sports of kayaking and SUP rowing has long appeared in Vietnam’s tourist destinations such as Ha Long Bay, Saigon River, Dong Nai River, and - most recently - Huong River in Hue City. Among various weekend sports, the duo receives special attention of tourists due to the gentle exercise, low risk, and excitement involved.

Kayak and SUP rowing area on Thach Han River. Photo: Minh Anh

In Quang Tri Town, the pioneer of investment in SUP and Kayak rental on Thach Han River is Nguyen Hung Minh, a resident of Ngo Quyen pedestrian street. "After a period of visiting and learning from a number of tourist destinations, we realized that the section of Thach Han River along Ngo Quyen Street has great advantages to develop kayaking and SUP rowing, so we boldly invested,” he recalled.

“The advantage of these sports is that you can paddle and kayak in just a short stretch of river. A few minutes of instruction and almost anyone can control the SUP board as they want. SUP rowing is also one way to exercise. SUP boards are inflatable boards, so they are very light and easy to use for all ages," Minh added.

After completing the licensing procedures, he invested nearly 5 billion VND to purchase 25 kayaks and SUP boards, rescue boats, safety equipment and necessary tools. His business started operating from early December 2023.

According to Minh, the number of tourists to Quang Tri Town has increased considerably so far. Most of them register for using the SUP and kayak service on Thach Han River. His tickets cost VND30,000 or US$1.2 per person per hour, yet the number of boats hasn’t met the increasing demand from customers.

Nguyen Hoai Nam, a tourist from Nam Dinh Province, said that his family came to Quang Tri Ancient Citadel every year to engage in gratitude-to-martyrs activities combined with spiritual tourism. Previously, they stayed in Quang Tri for about one day before visiting other destinations such as Hue, Danang or Hoi An. However, during Tet of the Wood Dragon year 2024, the family lingered in Quang Tri for three days over many new, attractive tourist spots. Thach Han River with SUP and kayak rental is one of them.

Because the service is new, there is common concern about safety and rescue of SUP riders and kayakers on the river. In practice, these sports are really safe, provided that visitors comply with the regulations of the operators. The inflatable SUP boards (iSUP) are made of synthetic rubber with dual air chambers, which ensure extra stability and safety. Even if one chamber gets punctured, it’s rare for such an iSUP to sink. Meanwhile, the kayaks are built using a composite material, with enclosed decks that enable them to float on the water surface in most circumstances. Before going on the cruise, paddlers are briefed on skills and safety measures by the guides.

In addition, the operating water area is just over 168 meters in length and 23 meters in width. The extent of the recreational water, which is not part of inland waterways, is marked with buoys or flags in easily visible colors, and the entertainment area’s boundary with three beacons on yellow buoys. The flag-carrying circular buoys are linked together by positioning ropes, having concrete counterweights to avoid wrong positions.

Besides, the operators established a rescue team equipped with two rescue motorboats on standby. This team has been professionally trained in medical first aid as well as search and rescue, with all members having swimming and drowning first aid certificates. They also signed contracts with the ward’s police force and Quang Tri Town’s fluvial police to ensure security, order and safety during operation.

Minh added that for additional landscapes to improve urban aesthetics and draw tourists, waterfront parks will be designed in a chain form, creating highlights and characteristics for the urban area.

On the river bank lies a network of surrounding roads and promenades to increase accessibility and diversity of landscapes. There will also be playgrounds, small squares, and pavilions for meetings, entertainment and relaxation.

The highlight will have reasonable height and volume, friendly architecture and appearance, and not obstruct visibility towards other functional zones in the urban area. The operator strictly prohibits visitors from bringing and dropping litter into the river.

Every week, it sends a team to clean both the dock and the river, while actively taking part in environmental activities organized by the local government.

Minh Anh- Jenna Duong