Waiting for "symbiotic" development of coastal tourism in eastern Quang Nam province.

The eastern coastal strip of Quang Nam possesses great potential for promoting beach tourism, but the destination "ecosystem" in this area is fragmented, mainly concentrated in privately owned destinations.

Large-scale tourism projects invested in the eastern region in recent years have helped the area begin to take shape as a coastal tourism center. In the photo: Hoiana complex (Duy Xuyen district). Photo: QUOC TUAN

The appearance of a major seaside tourist center.

Except for the Dien Ban coastal area, Hoi An has been involved in tourism for quite some time, the eastern coastal strip of Quang Nam province, starting from the south of Cua Dai estuary to Nui Thanh, only truly "awakened" when the Cua Dai bridge was built across it in 2016.

Over nearly a decade of development, the eastern coastal strip of Quang Nam province has become a "promised land" with large-scale tourism projects. Notable 5-star resorts include: Hoiana (Duy Xuyen), Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An (Thang Binh), Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness (Thang Binh), and Robinson Nam Hoi An (Nui Thanh).

Notably, this area currently boasts two golf courses, the Vinwonders Nam Hoi An entertainment complex, and a casino at Hoiana, providing a favorable foundation for promoting high-end tourism, attracting high-spending tourists, and elevating local tourism.

Mr. Nguyen Vinh Tran, General Director of Project Development at Hoiana, said that in 2024, Hoiana's golf course was operating at almost full capacity, with no available slots at certain times. Therefore, Hoiana is accelerating the development of another golf course in the project area (west of Vo Chi Cong road) and simultaneously building a convention center to meet the growing demand from tourists.

At a conference on Quang Nam planning, Mr. Tran Trong Kien - Chairman of Thien Minh Group (investor of Robinson Nam Hoi An) - stated that the coastal strip from the south of Cua Dai Bridge to Tam Tien will soon become a new center for high-end resorts in Vietnam.

Rarely does any area in our country, or even in other countries, possess such a combination of beautiful, gently sloping coastlines, a relatively stable climate, and a wealth of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. With proper planning and development, in the near future, this area, along with Hoi An and Da Nang, will become one of the leading high-end tourist centers in Southeast Asia and even Asia.

A connection with community tourism is needed.

Besides being a "destination" for large-scale tourism projects, the eastern region of Quang Nam also possesses a vast system of tourism resources composed of natural and local cultural values.

The Cua Khe community tourism destination (Thang Binh district) is located near several major tourist and entertainment areas. If a portion of the tourists from these areas can be attracted, tourism activities will develop significantly. Photo: QUOC TUAN

Several areas in the eastern region have been included by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in the list of rural tourism destinations and villages, such as: Tam Thanh community art village (Tam Ky city), Cua Khe community tourism village (Thang Binh district), Tam Hai island commune (Nui Thanh district)...

In local planning, some coastal villages in Binh Minh (Thang Binh) or Tam Tien (Nui Thanh)... have also been designated for preservation by the government to promote community tourism.

Recently, several tourism projects promoting investment in the new Duy Hai - Duy Nghia urban area have also highlighted the preservation of the coastal village space, harmonizing it within the tourist area to promote community tourism, such as the Community-Connected Ecotourism Area project in Duy Hai commune; Trung Phuong Resort…

Activities such as exploring the processing of traditional craft products, pulling seine nets, and fishing with local fishermen would be valuable experiences if integrated into tourism tours. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of tourists visiting entertainment complexes and resorts along the eastern coast has increased significantly; however, unfortunately, there has been little connection or interaction with the local community.

Mr. Vo Nguyen Tung, representative of the Cua Khe Village Community Tourism Cooperative (Binh Duong commune, Thang Binh district), stated: "Cua Khe is very close to the Vinwonders Nam Hoi An entertainment complex, which receives a large number of visitors daily. If we can find solutions to connect with and attract even a small portion of these visitors to experience Cua Khe village, it could help the village's tourism activities develop sustainably."

For example, the Tam Tien fish market, located right next to Robinson Nam Hoi An, has become quite famous among tourists due to its colorful activities, but there has been very little connection to develop and expand tours and products linked to local values.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Manh Nguyen - Chairman of the Institute of Green Urban Science and Technology, in recent years Quang Nam has developed in the direction of coastal tourism economy, which is the right direction but not enough.

In our country, we have learned lessons about how the organic relationship with local people has been severed. Therefore, large-scale coastal tourism projects need to "coexist" with local elements as a way to preserve distinctive urban identities; at the same time, it helps tourism develop sustainably and distribute benefits harmoniously to the community.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/cho-cong-sinh-phat-trien-du-lich-bien-vung-dong-quang-nam-3152940.html