The blue sea opens the way to livelihoods.

In recent years, the Nam Du archipelago and the Kien Hai special economic zone have become one of the most attractive destinations in the Southwest region of Vietnam. The strong development of island and coastal tourism contributes to promoting the image of An Giang province, while also opening up many new livelihood opportunities for the people, especially in the tourism service sector.

From an island region primarily relying on fishing and aquaculture, many households in the Nam Du archipelago have boldly shifted towards providing services for tourists. Services such as homestays, guesthouses, tourist transportation, motorbike rentals, food and beverage services, and the sale of local specialties are increasingly developing, creating stable income and improving the lives of the islanders.

Tourists enjoy tourism services in the Nam Du archipelago. Photo: GIA KHÁNH

In the early days of summer, the number of tourists visiting Nam Du increases significantly. If you don't book your ferry tickets 1-2 weeks in advance, you'll likely miss out on a spot. At the Nam Du pier in Cu Tron hamlet, Kien Hai special zone, tourists are constantly boarding and disembarking, preparing for their journey to explore the island. This bustling activity is directly proportional to the fact that many service businesses on the island are operating at full capacity.

As one of the first households to participate in community tourism, Ms. Nguyen Khanh Hoa - owner of Chinh Hoa Homestay in Cu Tron hamlet - said that the number of tourists visiting the island in recent years has been quite stable, especially on weekends, holidays, and during the summer. “The steady stream of tourists motivates me to continue improving the accommodation area and expanding tourism services. Besides accommodation, the homestay also offers all-inclusive tours around the island, motorbike rentals, and guidance on famous check-in locations to make the experience more convenient for tourists,” Ms. Hoa shared.

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Nowadays, tourists not only need a place to rest but also want to fully experience life on the island. Therefore, many households providing transportation services for tourists visiting the islands are enjoying increasingly stable incomes. Mr. Truong Manh Hai, owner of Hai Thuy guesthouse and tourist boat, is one of those who have been involved in island tourism for many years. Most tourists coming to Nam Du want to explore the beauty of the surrounding small islands by boat. “Tourists often register to visit Hon Dau, Hon Mau, Hon Hai Bo Dap, or participate in snorkeling and coral viewing programs. Some groups choose half-day itineraries, while others go for a full day to experience more destinations,” Mr. Hai said.

To meet the increasingly diverse needs of tourists, Mr. Hai's establishment constantly improves the quality of its services. In addition to regular group tours, he also flexibly designs customized programs according to customer requests. "Many family groups or groups of friends want a private experience, so I'm happy to charter an entire boat and create itineraries according to their preferences. From departure times and destinations to activities at sea, everything can be adjusted to suit the needs of each group," Mr. Hai shared.

According to tourism professionals in Nam Du, the most attractive aspect of the archipelago is its relatively unspoiled natural beauty. The clear blue sea, long stretches of sandy beaches, and colorful coral reefs are major advantages for developing ecotourism and island experiences. The development of tourism has also created a ripple effect on many other industries. Many households have taken advantage of local resources to open restaurants, selling fresh seafood, dried specialties, beverages, and souvenirs. Some local youth work as tour guides, boat drivers, electric vehicle drivers, or assist with recreational activities on the sea, contributing to job creation and increased income.

After spending many days talking with the locals, we clearly felt their joy as more and more tourists came to visit, because they are the ones who benefit directly. Accommodation establishments, tourist transportation services, small businesses... all have more opportunities to improve their lives and develop their family economies. Ms. Tran Thi Mong Duyen, residing in Cu Tron hamlet, shared: “My family has been involved in tourism for generations, spread across the large and small islands of the Nam Du archipelago. My husband and I chose to stay on An Son island, running a restaurant and introducing sightseeing services to tourists, earning a fairly stable income. Without tourism, it would be very difficult for us to make a living, because we are old and no longer suitable for going to sea.”

However, tourism businesses on the island still face many difficulties. Among them, the issue of electricity is a major obstacle for many accommodation establishments. “To ensure the needs of our guests are met, we have to use generators almost 24/7. Fuel costs are quite high, but we still have to maintain them to retain tourists and ensure service quality. Room rates are only a few hundred thousand dong per guest, while the fuel cost for running the generator is about 600,000 dong per day. On days with few guests, we barely break even,” Ms. Hoa said.

Despite remaining challenges in infrastructure, electricity, water, and transportation, Nam Du, with its inherent potential and the dynamism of its people, is gradually asserting its position as an attractive destination for southern island tourism. The constant arrival of boats, the brightly lit homestays welcoming guests, and the smiles of the local people are clear evidence of the positive transformation of this island region in the middle of the ocean. In the future, as infrastructure continues to be invested in comprehensively and tourism services become more professional, Nam Du is expected to attract even more tourists, creating momentum for the sustainable development of the island economy and improving the quality of life for the local community.

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GIA KHANH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/bien-xanh-mo-loi-sinh-ke-a488672.html