Removing difficulties for community tourism in Ngu My Thanh

Ngu My Thanh fishing village has long been famous for its tours and routes such as "2 days, 1 night", "1 day tour on Tam Giang lagoon" with interesting experiential activities. Joining the tour, tourists can become farmers, visit Ngu My Thanh mural village, experience Thuy Lap bamboo and rattan weaving village, fishing village exhibition space, homestay, enjoy typical cuisine of Tam Giang lagoon. Every year, this small fishing village on Tam Giang lagoon attracts tens of thousands of tourists.

Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development approved the pilot project of "Rural tourism model (DLNT) associated with new rural construction (NTM)" in Ngu My Thanh village, Quang Loi commune (Quang Dien district), implemented from 2023 with a total budget of 20.2 billion VND, which is good news and a boost for developing community tourism here. However, entering this year's tourist season, the local community and Tam Giang - Quang Loi Community Tourism Service Cooperative are facing many difficulties that need to be resolved.

Director of Tam Giang - Quang Loi Community Tourism Service Cooperative Van Huu Sang said that the cooperative currently has 12 boats carrying tourists to experience Tam Giang lagoon. However, because the majority of the cooperative members' boats are fishing boats on the lagoon converted to carry passengers, they do not have drawings or designs, so they do not meet the requirements for registration and inspection, leading to the authorities not allowing passenger transport activities and suspending them. In addition, the SUP experience service on Tam Giang lagoon is also not allowed to operate, causing difficulties in opening tours and routes on Tam Giang lagoon.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Tat Minh, Deputy Head of Quang Dien District Police, said that according to regulations, an organization that wants to operate boats or SUP boats on the lagoon must meet all the requirements according to the Law on Waterway Traffic and Decree 48 of the Government regulating the management of activities of means of transport serving water recreation and entertainment. Specifically, for boats, the operator must have a crew certificate for the type of vehicle and the number of passengers according to regulations. Strictly implement regulations on registration and inspection for vehicles according to regulations. For ships and boats with engines over 5CV, carrying more than 12 people, it is mandatory to register and inspect; equip life jackets, life buoys, and portable floating docks on the boat; and require tourists to wear life jackets and portable floating docks according to regulations.

For SUP boats, there must be a decision from the Provincial People's Committee granting permission to exploit and use the water surface; a license from the District Department of Culture and Information to organize SUP rowing on the lagoon; and a rescue team and medical staff. "Because all boats of Tam Giang - Quang Loi Cooperative do not meet the above conditions and the SUP rowing service has not been licensed to operate, the Quang Dien District Police have suspended the operation of these two types of services. In the coming time, the district authorities will strengthen patrols and inspections of vehicles, organizations and individuals serving tourists on Tam Giang lagoon to rectify the situation" - Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Tat Minh affirmed.

According to Vice Chairman of Quang Dien District People's Committee Nguyen Tuan Anh, the district strongly encourages collectives and individuals to invest in exploiting and effectively promoting the values and potentials of the lagoon; creating more jobs, increasing income, contributing to improving the lives of local people.

In the coming time, the district will direct the People's Committee of Quang Loi commune to coordinate with the Department of Transport to complete the documents and procedures for licensing Ngu My Thanh boat wharf. At the same time, coordinate to set up markers for waterways and routes for tourism activities on the lagoon. Coordinate to survey and submit to competent authorities for licensing of water surface exploitation for SUP boats to operate in the licensed area. Coordinate and advise on dredging waterways, setting markers for directions and routes to serve tourist transportation after Ngu My Thanh boat wharf is licensed to operate.

Regarding the choice of means of transport for tourists on Tam Giang lagoon, according to Mr. Van Huu Sang, Quang Dien lagoon is a special water area, shallow water level, few waves so small boats are suitable. According to the regulations on building large boats for inspection, they cannot operate in this area.

“In fact, for decades, people have been converting fishing boats to take tourists to visit and experience the lagoon and there has not been any unfortunate incident. According to the regulations, large boats must be inspected to be able to operate in this area and are not suitable for practical use. The district has tried to bring in some large boats that have been inspected but they could not operate because they ran aground,” Mr. Sang informed.

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