Homestay incident on Cam mountain: Tourists and homestay owners speak out

On August 4, the People's Committee of Tinh Bien town issued a document requesting the Provincial People's Committee's approval to proceed with the forced demolition of so-called illegally built homestays currently on Cam mountain, in order to prevent risks that could affect human life if landslides or rockfalls occur.

On September 11, the People's Committee of An Hao commune (Tinh Bien town) issued a document requesting 10 homestays on Cam mountain (An Hao commune) to temporarily suspend operations while waiting for opinions from the authorities.

Cam Mountain has beautiful scenery and climate like Da Lat.

Faced with this proposal, homestay owners on Cam Mountain were quite surprised, while tourists were surprised and worried about losing a new and exciting form of tourism in An Giang.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Man - a lecturer at a university in Ho Chi Minh City and a regular guest of homestays on Cam Mountain - said that the locality needs to review the households operating this type of tourism. If they are qualified and have already operated, they should be guided in the direction of protecting protective forests, combining homestay business with protecting natural resources. As for homestays that are not qualified, they can be guided to comply with regulations.

"I see that people have lived on Cam Mountain for generations and homestays are just a form of accommodation, which can be reinforced to ensure the safety of guests. I know that many homestays have full and legal accommodation business licenses and I have also brought many guests to enjoy the space here. In my opinion, closing down homestays that are qualified to operate on Cam Mountain is completely unreasonable. Because if they were not allowed to operate from the beginning, why would they be allowed to operate?" - Mr. Man reasoned.

Cozy, romantic space at a homestay on Cam mountain.

Mr. Phan Thanh Buu Hoa (living in Ho Chi Minh City) said that Cam Mountain is a special land, with fresh climate, beautiful landscape, endless clouds and mountains, an ideal place for relaxation, not inferior to Da Lat. Since Cam Mountain has a homestay, it has attracted him to come here regularly.

"In my opinion, homestays need to be re-examined for service quality and safety for tourists, but don't be too rigid in eliminating this type of tourism. Instead, there should be guidelines to help homestays do it correctly, contributing to the overall development of An Giang tourism," said Mr. Buu Hoa.

Meanwhile, tourist Nguyen Thanh Kien (living in Kien Giang province) said that if An Giang stops homestay activities on Cam mountain, he will not choose to travel to Cam mountain anymore. Because Cam mountain mainly has spiritual tourism resources suitable for pilgrims, not suitable for a space to experience and enjoy according to the trend of young people.

"Therefore, instead of banning, An Giang should plan suitable homestays to attract tourists, especially tourists who come for the beautiful scenery, which will have a positive impact on the communication and promotion of Cam Mountain" - Mr. Kien suggested.

Beautiful angles of tourists.

Recently, young people have shown great interest in frequently visiting homestays on Cam Mountain for relaxation. Ms. Bui Mong Thu (residing in Co Do District, Can Tho City) is one of many such tourists.

"I find the homestay model on Cam Mountain very suitable, the scenery is beautiful, quiet, beautifully decorated, and safe, so in the future I will still be a regular guest of the homestay on Cam Mountain. But if the homestay stops operating, I will rarely go to Cam Mountain anymore. Maybe, I will go to worship and then return, there is no reason to stay on the mountain" - Ms. Thu shared.

Tourists relax in the morning on the "roof of the West"

In recent days, homestay owners on Cam Mountain have been quite confused, because they do not know when they will be allowed to operate again or, "worse", when they may be closed down.

"My family has lived on Cam Mountain for four generations and the homestay is booked by my guests. I have a license to operate a lodging and food business. I decorate my business beautifully so that visitors can rest comfortably, so visitors call my place a homestay. I was very surprised when the local authorities stopped the restaurant, but I am still complying. I hope the provincial leaders will pay attention and create favorable conditions for us to operate, together developing tourism on Cam Mountain in particular and An Giang in general" - said Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Tuyen, owner of Mai Tung homestay.

Regarding the homestay on Cam Mountain, recently, the Chairman of the People's Committee of An Giang province directed the Department of Construction to preside over and coordinate with the Department of Culture - Sports and Tourism, the Provincial Trade and Investment Promotion Center, and relevant units to urgently clarify the contents reflected by public opinion and send reports and recommendations to the Provincial People's Committee before September 25.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thoi-su/vu-homestay-tren-nui-cam-khach-du-lich-va-chu-homestay-len-tieng-20230923091647224.htm