The 'key' to sustainable poverty escape in Ly Son island district

From rustic to professional

Implementing Sub-project 1 - Project 4 on vocationaleducation development under the National Target Program on Sustainable Poverty Reduction for the period 2021 - 2025, the People's Committee of Ly Son district coordinated to organize tourism training courses for workers from poor, near-poor households, newly escaped poverty households and low-income people in the area. In addition to theoretical training, people also directly visit and learn about practical models in localities with developed community tourism.

From a spontaneous tourist , Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy (residing on Be Island, Ly Son District, Quang Ngai Province) has now become the owner of Bien Ngoc homestay, a familiar destination for tourists who want to explore Be Island. Not only welcoming guests with warmth, Ms. Thuy also takes care of everything from the food to the living space, making visitors feel like they are in a real island family.

The number of tourists visiting and traveling to Be Island (Ly Son district) is increasing.

“In the past, I just followed my instincts and did whatever I could. Later, the government created conditions for me to visit and learn about many tourism models in localities such as Ha Giang , Hoi An, Cu Lao Cham (Quang Nam)... I understood how to do tourism and serve tourists better. Currently, my accommodation facility accepts tours, prepares food, and serves the daily needs of tourists...”, Ms. Thuy shared.

Also on Be Island, after attending a tourism training course, Mr. Nguyen Cong Vu and his wife invested in buying an electric car to transport passengers and opened a tour guide service. Once a person with a local accent that made it difficult for guests to understand, Mr. Vu can now communicate clearly, introducing guests to each beach, rocky cliff...

“Before, I didn’t think I could do tourism. After researching and learning, I learned that I have to approach customers with every word, be gentle, and always maintain food hygiene and safety. Now customers love me very much, and even recommend their friends to come to the island,” said Mr. Vu.

Currently, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy's accommodation facility accepts tours, prepares food, and serves the daily needs of tourists...

On Be Island, there are currently more than 100 households living mainly on the sea and growing onions and garlic. However, in recent years, fishing output has decreased, while garlic and onion crops have failed due to lack of irrigation water. Not accepting to be constrained by difficulties, many households have boldly switched to tourism services, with the support of local authorities.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Bong said that when switching from farmers to tourism, at first people were confused and afraid of not being able to do it. But after being trained, people here know what to do and what to avoid, especially in communicating and guiding tourists. Up to now, many accommodation and service establishments of the people on Be Island have served tourists more professionally, keeping tourists for a long time.

Confidence to change destiny

From 2023 to present, implementing the National Target Program on Sustainable Poverty Reduction, Ly Son district has coordinated with the Job Service Center and businesses to organize propaganda, career orientation, and job introduction for workers in line with local advantages and the needs of workers and businesses.

More and more homestays on Be Island are being invested and upgraded to meet the needs of tourists. Photo: Dang Van Sam

In addition, coordinating the sending of workers to work under contracts abroad contributes to solving labor needs, helping people have high incomes and access to advanced working environments.

Ms. Ngo Thi Phan (Tay An Vinh village, Ly Son district) was initially worried and did not dare to let her child work far away. “I was afraid of being cheated and that something might happen to my child. But after being consulted and allowed to go through the official channel of the provincial job introduction center, I felt completely reassured. Now my child has a stable job in Japan, sends money back regularly, and our family life has improved,” Ms. Phan confided.

Chairwoman of Ly Son District People's Committee Pham Thi Huong said that the district has organized many career guidance programs for students and young people, coordinated to organize job fairs and job fairs. Thanks to that, workers have the opportunity to approach businesses and find suitable jobs. In addition, the district has focused on training a team of propagandists and consultants to improve the quality of communication on labor policies, laws and vocational training.

Tourists take photos to check-in the beautiful scenery on Be Island. Photo: Dang Van Sam

Tourists swim and experience tourist services on Be Island.

According to statistics, Ly Son currently has more than 8,800 people of working age, but most of them do not have stable jobs. Thanks to support programs, by the end of 2024, the number of poor households in the district has decreased to 311 households (accounting for 5.02%), 250 near-poor households. Ly Son district has focused on raising people's awareness of how to escape poverty sustainably and get rich.

According to Ms. Huong, the district has identified vocational training and local livelihood creation as key strategies in poverty reduction. It is not just about providing money to help people escape poverty. It is about giving them a fishing rod, a career, a new way of thinking. Ly Son has marine potential, tourism, and human resources. The important thing is to connect and exploit them properly.

Ly Son people harvest purple onions.

Besides tourism, Ly Son also continues to invest in infrastructure, develop value chains of typical agricultural products such as onions and garlic in a sustainable manner, reduce dependence on weather, and apply technology to production and preservation.

“Ly Son hopes to not only be known for its blue sea and white garlic, but also as a place where people know how to rise up with their hands and minds, know how to do civilized tourism and know how to rise up to become rich in their own homeland,” Ms. Huong emphasized.

Be Island (Ly Son district) is likened to a paradise in the middle of the ocean.

From an island district with many difficulties, Ly Son is gradually transforming strongly. Fishermen who were once only familiar with rowing boats and casting nets have now become tour guides, homestay owners, etc. They have not only escaped poverty but also become positive factors, spreading the spirit of learning and innovation in the community.

Nguyen Ngoc

Source: https://tienphong.vn/chia-khoa-mo-loi-thoat-ngheo-ben-vung-o-huyen-dao-ly-son-post1742493.tpo