Mount Cam undergoes renovations to attract tourists.

In recent years, the Nui Cam tourist area has gradually upgraded its infrastructure and reorganized its tourism activities. Its modern appearance, along with many new experiential products, is contributing to attracting an increasing number of tourists to visit and relax.

Crowds of people flock to the statue of Maitreya Buddha to pay their respects. Photo: DUC TOAN

Bustling with tourists

The Cam Mountain tourist area is renowned for its spiritual attractions, recreational activities, and natural landscapes, attracting approximately 1 million domestic and international tourists annually. Key attractions include Thuy Liem Lake, Thanh Long Lake, O Tuksa Stream, Tien Stream, Van Linh Pagoda, the Maitreya Buddha statue, the Big Buddha Pagoda, and various peaks, caves, and shrines. With its year-round cool climate, beautiful natural scenery, and unique temple complex, Cam Mountain has become one of the most attractive destinations for sightseeing, recreation, and pilgrimage in An Giang province.

In the last days of January, we had the opportunity to visit Mount Cam. From early morning, the mountaintop and surrounding areas of Thuy Liem Lake, such as Van Linh Pagoda, Phat Lon Pagoda, and the Maitreya Buddha statue, were bustling with pilgrims. Long lines of people stretched through the thin mist, carrying with them New Year's blessings. In the distance, the temple bells rang regularly, blending with the laughter and chatter of tourists from all over. Mr. Le Van Tu, a tourist from Can Tho City, said that his family always comes to Mount Cam at the beginning of spring. “Coming here, I feel lighthearted and peaceful. This is an opportunity for my family to bond and relax after a busy year,” Mr. Tu said.

People respectfully offered incense and clasped their hands before the Buddha statue, praying for peace, health, and good fortune. Mr. Tran Thanh Vu, a tourist from Cao Lanh ward, Dong Thap province, shared: “For the past five years, every January, my family has made a pilgrimage to Cam Mountain. The atmosphere here gives me a feeling of peace and relaxation. A trip to Cam Mountain helps us have a year full of energy.”

After offering incense and sightseeing, many visitors seek out rest areas and food stalls to relax and have a meal. Wild vegetable pancakes are one of the must-try specialties during this time. The lively conversations create a warm and friendly atmosphere. The festival becomes more vibrant within the rhythm of everyday life. Mr. Nam Cao, one of the households running accommodation, food, and beverage businesses, said that from after the Lunar New Year until the end of May in the lunar calendar is the pilgrimage season. This is also the "business season" for local businesses. Thanks to the pilgrimage season, many people earn extra income.

Changes happen every day.

Mount Cam is changing day by day. Previously, the area around Thuy Liem Lake was filled with dilapidated shacks and stalls. This was accompanied by environmental pollution and foul-smelling wastewater. An impromptu market was set up right on the road around the tourist area, ruining the landscape.

Since its opening, the Cam Mountain Tourist Area Management Board has renovated, restored, and upgraded several areas and structures. The Thuy Liem Lake area now boasts a "new look." Transportation around Thuy Liem Lake has been upgraded. The area in front of the Maitreya Buddha statue has been newly constructed, creating favorable conditions for tourists. Businesses have been relocated and built new, spacious business premises, creating a positive impression on visitors.

Mr. Dinh Van Chac, Director of the Cam Mountain Tourist Area Management Board, said that the unit has strengthened security, order, and traffic safety in the Cam Mountain Tourist Area. Functional forces coordinate to raise awareness, remind, and handle cases of soliciting tourists, illegal transportation, and disorderly conduct on Provincial Road 948 and within the tourist area. A surveillance camera system has been deployed, along with the operation of two security teams, contributing to maintaining security, order, and traffic safety. Environmental sanitation and landscape beautification are carried out regularly. Technical infrastructure, trees, and landscape elements from the entrance gate to the ticket area have been invested in and upgraded.

The Management Board of Nui Cam Tourist Area also coordinates with the People's Committee of Nui Cam Commune and Chi Lang Ward to manage tourism activities, including accommodation, services, and commerce. Currently, the tourist area has 12 accommodation establishments at the foot of the mountain with a capacity of approximately 800 people and 12 establishments on the mountain with a capacity of approximately 700 people. Transportation options to the mountain are quite diverse, including the cable car, tour buses, motorbike taxis, and an ecological walking trail.

Tourism products are quite diverse, including spiritual and cultural tourism, resort tourism, ecotourism, seasonal tourism and agricultural experiences, and sports tourism focused on exploring nature. In the future, the Cam Mountain Tourist Area Management Board will research and develop cave exploration tourism products. These changes are opening up opportunities for the locality to develop sustainable tourism, becoming an increasingly attractive destination in the journey of exploring An Giang.

DUC TOAN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/nui-cam-doi-moi-de-hut-khach-a479184.html