Operating without a license, the eco-tourism area in Hue still collects all kinds of money

du lịch sinh thái - Ảnh 1. — Since the operating license of Suoi Tien - Thuy Yen Lake eco-tourism area expired on October 22, 2023, Thuy An Agricultural Cooperative has repeatedly allowed the tourist area to operate and collect entrance fees from visitors - Photo: THANH NGUYEN

Suoi Tien - Thuy Yen Lake Eco- tourism Area was granted a license to operate within the protection area of Thuy Yen Reservoir irrigation works by the People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue Province (now Hue City) to Thuy An Agricultural Cooperative (investor) on October 22, 2018, with a term of operation of 5 years.

However, since the operating license expired on October 22, 2023, the investor has repeatedly allowed the tourist area to operate, collecting ticket fees from visitors and many other taxes and fees.

Illegal collection of all kinds of money

On July 20, posing as a tourist, a female ticket seller at the entrance of the tourist area informed the reporter that she had to buy a "boat ticket" for 55,000 VND/person, including a round trip. Of which, 50,000 VND was for a boat ticket across Thuy Yen Lake, and 5,000 VND was for accident insurance.

However, according to the investor's specific price declaration No. 19/PA-HTX dated December 2, 2021, the "passenger transport ticket" for both directions from the parking lot to the boat dock is 20,000 VND, the boat trip through Thuy Yen Lake to Suoi Tien is 30,000 VND.

In fact, most visitors who come to the tourist area by motorbike go to the boat dock area by themselves, without being picked up by the tourist area. Visitors who come by car will have to pay an additional 15,000 VND for parking.

du lịch sinh thái - Ảnh 2. — According to the reporter's records, the ticket purchase date was the morning of July 20, 2025, however the date printed on the passenger transport ticket was July 18, 2025 - Photo: THANH NGUYEN

"Our group of more than 10 people took a boat across the lake for about a few hundred meters and the ticket cost more than 500,000 VND," said a tourist.

According to businesses in Suoi Tien, in the summer, Suoi Tien welcomes about 200-300 visitors/day. Especially on weekends, this number can be higher. Currently, Suoi Tien area has 12 beaches divided for businesses selling food, drinks...

"We have to pay the investor many fees such as parking fee, garbage fee, boat fee... and also a percentage of "commission" on the total number of customers in the month. On average, we have to pay from 7-10 million VND per month," said a business owner.

Potential risk of incidents on irrigation reservoirs

In reality, the boat carrying passengers across Thuy Yen Lake did not have staff instructing them to put on life jackets properly before leaving the dock. Many passengers did not wear life jackets, and even went close to the bow of the boat to take photos and videos while the boat was moving.

Thuy Yen Lake area is confirmed by local people to be very deep and potentially risky.

Mr. NT (a resident of Thuy Yen village) said: "This lake is very deep. There have been people drowning in Thuy Yen lake and on Tien stream. Not wearing a life jacket when boating is very dangerous. Recently, there have been a series of tragic accidents related to waterways."

Many passengers did not wear life jackets, even went close to the bow of the boat to take photos and film while the boat was moving - Photo: THANH NGUYEN

The continuous operation of ships in Thuy Yen irrigation reservoir also poses many potential risks affecting the stability of irrigation works.

Mr. Duong Duc Hoai Khanh - Director of Hue City Irrigation Exploitation Company Limited (the unit directly managing Thuy Yen reservoir) - said that in 2024, the unit had sent many documents requesting the authorities of Loc Thuy commune (now Chan May commune - Lang Co) to stop activities in Thuy Yen reservoir without permission. However, until now, these activities still continue.

"On April 25, 2025, the unit also sent a document requesting the Thuy Yen Agricultural Cooperative to stop activities within the protection area of the Thuy Yen reservoir. The Phu Loc Irrigation Station also worked and made a record with the cooperative, requesting to temporarily stop activities within the reservoir on April 29 and June 28.

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On July 21, the unit continued to report to the Department of Agriculture and Environment and the People's Committee of Chan May - Lang Co commune about the cooperative still organizing the pick-up and drop-off of guests and carrying out other activities within the protection area of the Thuy Yen reservoir irrigation works," said Mr. Khanh.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Cai Le Chinh Dao, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Chan May - Lang Co commune, said that the operating license of Suoi Tien - Thuy Yen lake eco-tourism area expired in October 2023.

"However, due to the two-level government having just come into operation, the new commune leaders do not yet fully understand the activities at the Suoi Tien - Thuy Yen Lake eco-tourism area. We will soon work with relevant agencies and the old local government to verify and propose a solution in accordance with the law," said Mr. Dao.