"A somber note" beside Phu Ninh Lake

Accommodation area inside Phu Ninh Lake tourist area. Photo: QUOC TUAN

Investment at a moderate pace

In 2013, the Provincial People's Committee assigned Hung Cuong Tourism Investment Joint Stock Company to invest in the Doi Da Den - Phu Ninh Tourist Service Area Project (referred to as Phu Ninh Lake Tourist Area) with an area of approximately 100 hectares. Phase 1 of the project, covering nearly 60 hectares, was planned to be completed and operational by August 2020.

Despite subsequent adjustments to the schedule, the project's investment process has remained slow to date, failing to fulfill its obligation to deposit a security deposit to guarantee project implementation, and has already exceeded its deadline (an extension is currently being requested).

Over the past period, the investor has spent hundreds of billions of VND to put into operation the administrative building, children's playground, camping and event area, single and double bungalow accommodation, tourist boat dock, check-in point, etc.

However, according to the Provincial People's Committee, Hung Cuong Tourism Investment Joint Stock Company (the investor) has not shown sufficient interest in implementing the project. Meanwhile, Phu Ninh Lake Tourist Area is one of the key areas for tourism development in the southern part of Quang Nam province in particular and Quang Nam province in general. The project location boasts beautiful natural scenery and many advantages for exploiting, doing business, and developing tourism services.

The Phu Ninh district authorities have often expressed impatience with the project's slow progress, even though Phu Ninh Lake is considered one of the key elements for promoting the local socio -economic development.

According to a leader of Phu Ninh district, the locality has recently carried out zoning planning to attract investment with the hope of having more businesses develop tourism in the Phu Ninh lake area, but it has not yet been able to implement it. If this difficulty is not resolved, Phu Ninh will find it very difficult to develop.

Wasting potential

Phu Ninh Lake was built after the reunification of the country. This project is considered a "miracle" of the land and people of Quang Nam province, and to this day remains the sixth largest irrigation lake in the country, with abundant resources in terms of ecosystems, flora and fauna, and hot mineral springs.

Picturesque scenery in Phu Ninh Lake Tourist Area. Photo: QUOC TUAN

Phu Ninh Lake has been identified as one of the key factors in promoting tourism linkages in the southern part of the province (within the Tam Ky - Nui Thanh - Phu Ninh axis), but to date, it has mainly been used by local tourists and those from neighboring provinces and cities.

According to Phan Thai Binh, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, surveys show that some lakes in the northern provinces have long been effectively exploited for tourism. While Phu Ninh Lake's scenic potential is comparable, and in some aspects even surpasses it, this destination has yet to develop to its full potential and spread its brand.

According to a representative of the Quang Nam Tourism Association, it is unclear what the investor of the Phu Ninh Lake Tourist Area plans to develop, however, in recent years, the tourism products here have not been innovative, making it difficult to create a highlight to attract tourists to the south.

Tourism at Phu Ninh Lake is purely ecotourism. The process of developing and building Phu Ninh Lake is also a fascinating story. If we could bring in the local people who lived along the lake's edge and participated in the construction process to design tours and share their stories with visitors, it would be very appealing, especially to international tourists.

Recently, the Provincial People's Committee instructed relevant departments, agencies, and Phu Ninh district to urgently review all related legal documents and procedures of the Phu Ninh Lake Tourist Area project in order to report and propose recommendations for the Provincial People's Committee to consider and comprehensively resolve this project before June 10, 2025.

Over a decade of sluggish investment has caused Phu Ninh to miss out on development opportunities. A definitive solution regarding the project's fate will soon be announced by the Quang Nam provincial government, hopefully paving the way for a boost in Phu Ninh's tourism.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/not-tram-ben-long-ho-phu-ninh-3154860.html