Destinations in Nghe An are preparing for the new tourist season.

Disaster relief

In late September 2023, severe flooding occurred in the western districts of Nghe An province, devastating much of the infrastructure in general and tourist destination infrastructure in particular. In Que Phong district, the road leading to Sao Va Waterfall, Bay Tang Waterfall, and the ancient Thai village - Long Thang community tourism area (Hanh Dich commune)... was damaged by the floods. Rest and dining shelters at the Bay Tang Waterfall complex were also damaged and swept away.

In preparation for the 2024 tourist season, the roads leading to Sao Va Waterfall, Seven-Tier Waterfall, and Long Thang community tourism village are being repaired. However, low-clearance vehicles are having difficulty navigating the roads. Therefore, it is predicted that the number of visitors coming to Seven-Tier Waterfall to "cool off," visit, and explore the ancient Thai village will decrease significantly compared to before.

Faced with objective difficulties, tourism businesses in Hanh Dich commune have been making calculations to "make do with what they have." Accordingly, businesses will reduce the size of their accommodation, avoid widespread investment, and focus on improving the quality of rooms and food. In the waterfall area, the shelters are also being rebuilt to provide convenience for the large number of tourists visiting the area, but on a smaller scale.

Mr. Lu Thanh Long, owner of Lam Khang Homestay in Hanh Dich commune, said: “We will continue to maintain the performing arts groups, performing acts that reflect the unique cultural identity of the Thai ethnic group; we will strive to improve the quality and diversify the dishes… so that tourists can be satisfied and have more interesting experiences when visiting the Seven-Tier Waterfall and the ancient Thai village of Long Thang.”

In Quy Chau district, last year's historic flood wiped out several beautiful tourist destinations and check-in spots. To promptly address the flood's aftermath and improve service quality, community tourism households in Hoa Tien 1 and 2 villages of Chau Tien commune are also making efforts to recover and prepare for the new tourist season.

Ms. Sam Thao Trang, owner of Bich Trang Homestay, shared: “This year, in addition to comprehensively renovating the facilities and rooms, the households involved in community tourism in the commune are also rebuilding the waterwheel system that was swept away by last year's flood. Every year, floods damage the check-in points, and after each such event, we have to rebuild them.”

A new feature of Hoa Tien community tourism in 2024 is the establishment of an additional performing arts group to serve the cultural and artistic needs of tourists, overcoming the previous problem of "one group serving many households"... As a key tourist destination in Quy Chau district, Hoa Tien 1 and 2 community tourism villages regularly welcome hundreds of visitors every week for sightseeing and experiences. Entering the 2024 tourist season, the number of visitors is expected to increase significantly.

In 2024, Nghe An province aims to welcome a total of 5,500,000 overnight tourists, including 120,000 international visitors, and achieve tourism service revenue of 9,000 billion VND. To achieve this goal, localities and businesses in the province have been making efforts to create events, destinations, and products for the new tourism year.

Creating new products

Tourist areas and attractions in Con Cuong district have been actively preparing to welcome visitors during the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day (10th day of the 3rd lunar month) and the April 30th/May 1st holidays. Ms. Vi Thi Hoa, owner of Hoa Thu Homestay in Nua village, Yen Khe commune, said: “To date, we have made the best preparations to welcome tourists during the holidays. This includes accommodation, food, cultural and artistic activities; as well as guiding tourists to explore tourist spots and experience agricultural production, brocade weaving, and making traditional rice wine.”

Reportedly, as the new tourist season approaches, community tourism businesses in Nua village (Yen Khe commune) and Khe Ran village (Bong Khe commune) have participated in tourism skills training courses organized by the province and Con Cuong district. Besides improving their accommodation service skills, the businesses have also been equipped with cooking skills, the ability to organize meals featuring local specialties, beverage preparation skills, and the ability to provide commentary for tourists. As a result, homestay businesses have shown significant changes in their tourism mindset and service organization methods.

This year, tourists visiting the coastal town of Cua Lo will certainly notice the difference as the quality of tourist accommodation has significantly improved. Implementing the "Project to improve the quality of tourist accommodation and restaurants in Cua Lo town, 2021-2025," hotels and guesthouses in the area have continuously invested in, renovated, and upgraded their facilities to ensure modern and fully equipped accommodations in accordance with regulations. Many establishments have spent billions of VND on renovations, such as Minh Chau Cua Lo Hotel (over 6.5 billion VND) and Xuan Duong Guesthouse (over 1 billion VND)...

MR. HOANG VAN PHUC - VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE PEOPLE'S COMMITTEE OF CUA LO TOWN

To serve residents and tourists during the 2024 tourism season, Cua Lo town has undertaken the renovation and upgrading of 7 projects with a total budget of over 500 billion VND. Welcoming the 2024 Tourism Year, Cua Lo will have many new highlights to attract tourists. These include the Nguyen Hue night street in Nghi Thu ward, expected to open on April 20th; and the Cua Hoi amusement park (expected to open on April 30th).

From now until the opening day of the Cua Lo Tourism Festival 2024, the town is organizing a series of activities to kick off the event, such as the "Cua Lo Elegant Young Woman 2024" contest and the "Sea Daisy Flower Check-in Spot Decoration" to attract tourists. The opening ceremony of the Cua Lo Tourism Festival 2024 (April 18th) will feature performances by famous national artists and singers. This year, in addition to the artistic performances and spectacular fireworks display, the town is researching the possibility of incorporating an artistic light show using hundreds of drones.

Similarly, Mr. Vi Van Quy, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Con Cuong District, also stated: The district has implemented a project to upgrade and expand the road from National Highway 7 to Khe Kem Waterfall (basically completed); upgraded and expanded the Mon Son - Luc Da road; and built the Lai 2 Ferry terminal… Currently, the district is continuing to renovate and restore the revolutionary historical site of Mr. Vi Van Khang's house in Mon Son commune; developing a plan to upgrade and restore the Ma Nhai stele and Tra Lan citadel historical site complex; and calling for investment projects in tourism that prioritize environmental protection and sustainable development.

MR. VI VAN QUY - VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE PEOPLE'S COMMITTEE OF CON CUONG DISTRICT

Con Cuong district is also promoting cooperation and linkages in tourism development within and outside the province, while strengthening image promotion; enhancing the management of tourism service quality, especially at community tourism destinations. Before the new tourist season, Con Cuong district has been strengthening inspection and guidance to improve the quality of accommodation and food services, with a focus on safety, civility, security, order, and food hygiene.

Meanwhile, in Quy Chau district, as the 2024 tourist season approaches, the district is actively implementing the construction, renovation, and improvement of tourist attractions (especially those damaged by the 2023 floods) to serve the sightseeing and experiential needs of tourists. The attractions receiving special attention for construction and restoration include the Museum of Ethnic Cultures, Hoa Tien community tourism village, Bua Cave, Chieng Ngam Temple, Khe Ban Waterfall, etc.

MR. LE THANH HA - VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE PEOPLE'S COMMITTEE OF QUY CHAU DISTRICT

The district has been focusing its resources on completing the Museum of Ethnic Cultures of Western Nghe An in Quy Chau district; investing in initial infrastructure for several scenic areas such as Khe Ban waterfall, Khe My waterfall, and Hoa Tien community tourism village to prepare for welcoming tourists; investing in upgrading the Lang Van Thiet tomb relic site in Chau Hoi commune; reviewing the overall planning of Bua cave and Chieng Ngam temple relic sites to make appropriate adjustments, and doing a good job of preparing for investment... striving to attract more and more tourists to the locality; aiming to make tourism a key economic sector, creating jobs and income for the people.