Cua Lo towards a civilized and modern coastal tourist city

(Baonghean) -With a coastline of 10.2 km, gentle slope, fine white sand, clear blue water, diverse flora and fauna, Lan Chau peninsula and 2 large islands (Nguyen Island and Mat Island) associated with many legends, historical relics and spiritual culture, Cua Lo has been rated by the World Tourism Organization as the most beautiful beach in Northern Vietnam. In addition, Cua Lo has all types of road, rail, air and sea transport to develop trade and economy.

Binh Minh Square (Cua Lo Town). Photo: Sy Minh

Potential and development

The name Cua Lo has existed for a long time, but Cua Lo tourism only became known in 1907 when the French discovered its potential and decided to build a resort area here. To create momentum for the development of economic potential in general and tourism in particular for the Cua Lo area, on August 29, 1994, the Government issued Decree 113/ND-CP to establish Cua Lo Town, Nghe An Province, including Cua Lo Town and 4 communes of Nghi Thu, Nghi Huong, Nghi Hoa, Nghi Hai; part of Nghi Quang commune, Nghi Loc district.

Implementing the renovation policy, immediately after its establishment, the Party Committee, government and people of Cua Lo Town have united, joined hands, worked hard, and actively promoted the maximum advantages of the coastal tourism town to build and develop. Cua Lo Town has a natural area of ​​28.2 km2, a population of nearly 60,000 people, including 7 wards; infrastructure has been focused on planning and investing in synchronous and modern development. Cua Lo beach is green - clean - beautiful, friendly, Cua Lo people are warm-hearted and hospitable, Cua Lo tourism has become a brand and is one of the top attractive destinations for domestic and foreign tourists. Thanks to that, Cua Lo's economy has grown strongly and sustainably (in 2013, growth reached 9.8%), the economic structure has shifted in the right direction with a focus on services and tourism (in 2013, the proportion of services - tourism in the economy reached 62.5%); Annual budget revenue and expenditure always exceeds the set target (in 2013, Cua Lo Town's budget revenue ranked second in the province). Culture and society have made many advances, the material and spiritual life of the people has been improved (average income per capita increased from about 5 million VND in 1994 to nearly 52 million VND/year in 2013; the poverty rate has decreased to 5.7%. Every year, the town creates jobs for over 1,000 workers); communication and behavior culture in tourism business has changed positively; 21/22 schools have met national standards, 5/7 wards have medical stations that meet national standards; national defense, security, social order and safety are always ensured. In 2009, Cua Lo Town was awarded the Second Class Labor Medal by the President and recognized as a Type 3 Urban Area by the Ministry of Construction.

In the tourism sector, the infrastructure system has made great strides. From only 7 hotels when it was first established, Cua Lo Town now has 248 accommodation establishments (capacity of over 18,000 visitors/day/night), including 20 2-4 star hotels; over 350 standard restaurants; many key projects have been put into operation and promoted effectively (National Highway 46, Provincial Road 535 connecting Vinh City with Cua Lo Town; Nam Cam - Cua Lo Road; Binh Minh Square; Drainage and Wastewater Treatment Project funded by the Kingdom of Belgium - Phase I and II; Cua Lo Golf Course; Van Xuan University of Technology; Nghe An College of Tourism - Commerce; Grass carpet system, green trees in the beach park... are important highlights that make Cua Lo increasingly modern and civilized).

Comrade Nguyen Nam Dinh (2nd from left) listens to the discussion of investor Song Ngu Son. Photo: Sy Minh

With the determination to become a friendly and hospitable coastal tourist area, Cua Lo Town has done a good job in state management of tourism, most notably the policy of "5 no's" (no price gouging; no stalking or soliciting customers; no massage or street vending; no disturbing security and order; and no harming the environment), so Cua Lo Town has increasingly gained the trust and sympathy of tourists from near and far. In 2013, Cua Lo tourism achieved the highest results in all three criteria: number of visitors (2,120,000, including 1,345,000 overnight guests, 5,400 international visitors); revenue reached 1,460 billion VND; budget contribution was over 24 billion VND.

Building the brand "Cua Lo coastal tourism city"

Cua Lo Town is actively preparing to launch the Cua Lo Tourism Year 2014, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the town's establishment (August 29, 1994 - August 29, 2014) and receive the First Class Labor Medal awarded by the President. Resolution No. 26/NQ-TU dated July 30, 2013 of the Politburo, 11th tenure, determined to "Build Cua Lo Town into a green, clean, beautiful, rich, civilized coastal tourism city, together with Vinh City to develop into an economic growth pole and spearhead of growth of Nghe An province"; Decision 2161/QD-TTg dated November 11, 2013 of the Prime Minister approving the Master Plan for tourism development in the North Central region to 2020, with a vision to 2030, in which Cua Lo Town is a coastal tourism city of the region; and in Notice No. 881-TB/TU dated September 18, 2013 of the Provincial Party Standing Committee on the results of 7 years of implementing Resolution 05-NQ/TU dated September 26, 2006 of the Provincial Party Standing Committee on building and developing Cua Lo Town into a tourist city by 2015 with a vision to 2020, affirming the policy of continuing to focus on building Cua Lo Town into a tourist city has created new momentum and motivation for Cua Lo tourism to develop to a new height.

The highlight of Cua Lo tourism in 2014 is to continue to do better in planning, managing the implementation of planning associated with protecting the ecological environment and building a culture of behavior with tourists. Urban beautification activities and construction of tourism infrastructure systems are being accelerated to surpass and achieve progress (works and projects in the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the town's establishment; expanding and upgrading Binh Minh Square, outdoor stage; starting the project of Lan Chau Island - Ngu Island Ecotourism Complex; Muong Thanh - Cua Lo Hotel; Culinary Center, selling specialties and souvenirs in Thu Thuy ward; building more restaurants, parking lots, public toilets, gathering and waste collection points ...). Many activities were held on the occasion of the opening of Cua Lo Tourism Year 2014 and the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the town's establishment, including: the "Cua Lo Dawn" Art Program, fireworks display on the occasion of April 30 and May 1; the "Connecting Hands to the Sea" Art Festival of Nghe An Radio and Television Station in coordination with Radio and Television Stations of more than 10 provinces and cities nationwide and Lao National Radio and Television...) The goal for 2014 is that Cua Lo Town will welcome 2,250,000 visitors; revenue will reach 1,750 billion VND and contribute 26.5 billion VND to the budget.

Cua Lo Beach. Photo: Xuan Nhuong

Breakthrough and sustainable development

In the coming years, the overall development goal of Cua Lo town is to make a breakthrough and develop sustainably on the principle of "Economic development must be associated with ensuring social security and environmental protection". In economic development, tourism continues to be the spearhead economic sector, leading and accounting for the largest proportion (about 65%). The orientation of Cua Lo tourism development will focus on the following basic contents:

Firstly, planning, expanding development space, building infrastructure based on the location, potential, advantages of the town and being in connection with localities in the province, in the region, the country and internationally. The implementation of the Lan Chau - Ngu Island Ecotourism Complex Project (following the model of the Hon Ngoc Viet Project of Nha Trang which has been effectively exploited for 10 years) will bring Cua Lo Town out to the sea to exploit the potential of Ngu Island, further to Mat Island to attract tourists and implement the marine strategy, effectively combining economic efficiency with national defense and security. Strengthening connections with key tourist areas in the province such as Vinh, Nam Dan, Dien Chau, Con Cuong, Quy Chau ...; Vinh, Nghi Loc, Southeast Nghe An Economic Zone (in the general planning of Vinh City construction to 2030, vision to 2050 and 1 of the 3 growth poles of the province). The connection through the existing, relatively developed and synchronous transport infrastructure system (Vinh - Cua Lo Boulevard, Provincial Road 535, Lam River Road, National Highway 46, Vinh Airport...) will create conditions for Cua Lo Town to diversify tourism products, extend the length of stay of tourists and limit seasonality, extending the tourism exploitation time during the year.

Second, restore, maintain and develop traditional occupations (fishing, aquaculture and seafood processing in Nghi Tan, Nghi Thuy and Nghi Hai), build and replicate new production models, following the environmentally friendly trend (growing green vegetables and fresh flowers in Nghi Thu, Nghi Huong and Nghi Hoa) to both create a source of products for tourism, create a green belt to protect the urban environment, and create jobs and income for the workforce not directly involved in tourism business activities.

Third, renovate historical, cultural and spiritual relics; restore traditional festivals and reconstruct unique rituals and customs of coastal areas, focusing on Van Loc Temple Festival; Song Ngu Pagoda Festival; Cau Ngu Festival...; organize community activities on sea culture weeks, sea markets... in the direction of socialization and linking these types of tourism with resort tourism.

Fourth, focus on training to develop human resources, especially in the tourism business sector through doing a good job of career guidance at high schools and colleges and universities in the area (at existing colleges and universities and in the development plan of the cluster of colleges and universities in Vinh and Cua Lo).

Fifth, focus on attracting all resources for development through strongly improving the investment and business environment, promoting administrative reform, rectifying public ethics, resolving administrative procedures quickly, conveniently, and in accordance with regulations for investors, businesses and people. Do a good job of state management of tourism, propagate to the business community, especially travel businesses, hotels, restaurants... and people, continue to maintain and promote the culture of friendly behavior towards tourists.

With the above approach, we believe that Cua Lo coastal city will increasingly develop green - clean - beautiful, civilized, modern, friendly and hospitable!

Nguyen Nam Dinh

Secretary of Cua Lo Town Party Committee