Quang Nam: 'Gold mine' of water sports business still... waiting for licensing

A large tourism company sent a document requesting Quang Nam to respond on whether or not to allow water sports along the coast. The authorities said there was a great need but lacked a legal basis.

Tourists experience sea sports in Da Nang on the occasion of April 30 - Photo: BD

Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online on May 6, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hong - Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Nam province - said he is waiting for instructions from the authorities to grant licenses and organize water sports.

Quang Nam wants to invest adequately in water sports

According to Mr. Hong, Quang Nam province has 125km of coastline with many beautiful beaches. For a long time, the demand for organizing marine sports activities (underwater) of businesses has been very large.

However, currently there is a lack of legal basis and many management agencies and localities still need specific guidance from ministries and branches on licensing, planning and organizing water sports activities on the coast of Quang Nam.

Many tourists when traveling to the Central region are impressed by the bustling scene, diverse activities on the beaches in Thanh Hoa, Da Nang and Khanh Hoa. The locations for water sports are specially designed, closely monitored and managed.

In addition to swimming, many businesses also organize water sports activities such as jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking... These services not only attract large spending customers but also promote many "follow-on" services in the tourism industry.

Beautiful stretch of beach in Hoiana will be used as space for the 2024 Quang Nam International Kite Festival - Photo: BD

Quang Nam has a beautiful coastline stretching from Hoi An to Thang Binh, Tam Ky, and Nui Thanh districts. Although the demand for tourists is very high, especially in An Bang beach (Hoi An), most tourists currently only go to the beach to relax, swim, and eat, but have not experienced the sea sports that are very popular in many provinces and cities.

Due to a number of accidents, jet skiing activities on the sea have been temporarily suspended, such as in Da Nang. However, the beach is still bustling with dozens of attractive water sports services such as canoeing, windsurfing, sailing, etc.

Many times, some marine sports activities are spontaneously organized by businesses but are then forced to stop due to legal problems.

Both businesses and provinces want it but there is no guidance yet.

Explaining why Da Nang is located next to each other but has many experiences and sea sports services for tourists but Quang Nam does not, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hong said that the 125km coastline has not yet been included in the planning and licensing of sports activities by higher authorities.

"Quang Nam has a long coastline with many beautiful locations. The potential for water sports activities is huge, contributing to promoting tourism and exploiting values, but up to now, regulations on licensing, planning, etc. have not been guided by higher authorities. We really hope to implement them soon," said Mr. Hong.

In a recent petition to Quang Nam province, Indochina Resort Company Limited stated that this unit invested in a 5-star accommodation area in Dien Duong ward (Dien Ban) according to an investment certificate from 2007.

When opening the accommodation, this company registered many water sports and entertainment services but until now has not been able to implement them due to licensing problems.

Sea sports are attracting many tourists in Da Nang - Photo: BD

According to Indochina Resort Company Limited, sports such as parasailing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, surfing... are very popular and attract tourists in countries such as Thailand, Australia, France...

These are also the sports that help the tourism industry grow greatly. Vietnam has many beautiful beaches, stretching across provinces and cities, but water sports are currently only popular in Nha Trang, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, etc.

"Quang Nam has great potential for water sports. We would like to ask for Quang Nam province's opinion on whether to approve and permit water sports business or not.

If possible, we would like specific instructions. If not, please give us a written response stating the reason" - the document of Indochina Resort Company Limited mentioned.

Quang Nam is still waiting for comments from the ministry.

Quang Nam Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that at the end of 2024, this unit sent a petition to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism requesting a solution.

In the document, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Nam said that recently many sea sports activities are attracting more and more tourists. However, there is currently no document guiding the issuance of business licenses.

On the other hand, Quang Nam is planning an area for water sports, entertainment and recreation activities, which will more or less affect some businesses.

"The province hopes that units will give their opinions on the draft guidelines on the process and procedures for granting business licenses for water sports, entertainment, and adventure tourism products in Quang Nam province," the document stated.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/quang-nam-mo-vang-kinh-doanh-the-thao-mat-nuoc-con-cho-cap-phep-20250506123530517.htm