Ensuring security and safety during beach tourism season

Promoting the model of tourist security team

The April days before the Cua Lo Tourism Festival are the busiest time for the Thu Thuy Ward Tourism Security Team. The team has more than 100 members, of which more than 2/3 are veterans, with the task of ensuring the implementation of the "5 no" policy: No price gouging; No soliciting or stalking customers; No massage or street vending; No environmental damage; No disturbing public order and safety.

The ANDL team also manages cultural, sports, and environmental sanitation activities along the coast, focusing on the 5-month peak from April 20 to September 20; participates in managing urban beautification, encroachment on sidewalk corridors, and handling illegal signs in the ward.

Thu Thuy Ward, Cua Lo Town seen from above. Photo: Trung Ha

Mr. Trinh Xuan Tuong - Chairman of the Veterans Association, Captain of the Thu Thuy Ward ANDL Team said: “The team members are always united, cooperative, stick to their tasks, stick to the assigned area from 5am to 11pm. We go to each restaurant, kiosk, hotel, meet each street vendor, massage therapist on the East side of Binh Minh Street to propagate, mobilize and persuade. Many times we encounter stubborn cases, forcing us to confiscate their tools, those who understand are fine, those who don't understand turn to criticize the team members. But now, when we are recognized and supported by the people, local authorities and tourists".

Mr. Trinh Xuan Tuong - Captain of the Tourism Security Team of Thu Thuy Ward, Cua Lo Town reminded the business kiosks on the beach to comply with the town's 5 no's policy. Photo: Khanh Ly

During the 2019 tourist season, in addition to the above tasks, the team also participated in mobilizing businesses along the road to install decorative LED lights to attract tourists.

Along with directing the wards to promote the activities of tourism security teams, the Cua Lo town government also issued an implementation plan, coordinated with relevant departments and branches to organize propaganda and simultaneously launch campaigns to clear traffic safety corridors; organized the signing of commitments to well implement the "5 no" policy, promoted the voluntary and self-aware spirit of the coastal city's residents for a civilized and safe beach tourism season, creating a good impression on domestic and foreign tourists.

Ensure security and traffic safety

In addition to the activities of the Tourist Security Team and the Civilian Patrol Team, to ensure security and order for the 2019 Cua Lo tourist season, armed patrol forces including the Town Police, Ward Police, Mobile Police force of the North Central Mobile Police Regiment (E26)... will be responsible for patrolling and handling violations in key areas.

Particularly for the peak period of the festival opening and the holidays of April 30 and May 1, Cua Lo Town Police have developed specific and detailed plans and coordination of activities.

Cua Lo Town Police conduct administrative inspections at hotels in the area. Photo: Quynh An

Along with the unit's forces, the Town Police also coordinated to mobilize nearly 400 officers and soldiers from the departments of the Provincial Police, the Town Military Command, the Cua Lo - Ben Thuy Port Border Guard Station and the Traffic Inspectorate... In particular, the Ward Police force will organize patrols to control inner-city routes, inter-block and inter-ward roads in the area under their responsibility.

Grassroots forces such as the Civil Guard and the Tourist Security Team ensure public order and urban order, prevent fighting and disorder in tourist areas, parks and public places, especially in areas with a large number of tourists such as Nghi Thu, Nghi Huong, Thu Thuy wards...

The Traffic Police will coordinate with the Traffic Inspectorate to ensure traffic congestion is avoided at intersections, festival venues and central routes such as Binh Minh Street, Sao Nam Street, Nguyen Sinh Cung Street...

"In addition to patrolling and handling violations, especially the phenomenon of weaving, swerving, causing disorder and traffic safety, the security force will also prevent the forcing of customers, price gouging, closely monitor subjects showing signs of "protection" activities, fighting over business areas and goods, signs of robbery, extortion of property... to ensure security and safety for people and tourists."

Colonel Ho Minh Thang - Chief of Cua Lo Town Police

Do a good job of rescue and relief work

Mr. Nguyen Doan Phung - Director of Cua Lo Rescue, Search and Rescue Center said: With the motto: Taking warning and prevention as the main thing, from the beginning of March 2019, Cua Lo town Rescue and Disaster Prevention Center planned and arranged forces and means for warning, search and rescue, and rescue during the beach tourism season. The scope of implementation is 10.2 km from Lan Chau island to Hai - Hoa beach area. Regarding human resources, in addition to the number of more than ten people of the unit, the Center also contracts about 50-60 people to do warning, rescue and rescue work on the beach.

Rescue forces deploy rescue plans. Photo: PV- CTV

Accordingly, from 4:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day, the town's rescue force, along with 6 jet skis, 3 canoes, and 1 245CV boat, are on duty at 18 points along the beach from Lan Chau Island to Cua Hoi to assist tourists in case of an accident. The rescue force is usually arranged in 3 circles (the first circle is on duty to warn from afar by boat or observation tower; the second circle is close to the area where tourists are swimming and the third circle is on the beach with the task of propagating and reminding tourists to strictly follow the town's regulations when swimming in order to limit accidents and risks).

Cua Lo Beach attracts many tourists during the tourist season. Photo: Document

In addition to the buoy system warning of “dangerous deep pools” and “unsafe reef areas”, during the tourist season, the public loudspeaker system in the town also regularly broadcasts propaganda messages about swimming regulations, reminders and warnings about bad weather, strong winds, big waves, etc. so that tourists know and take precautions.

On peak days, there is also support from the rapid response force of Nghe An Border Guard Squadron 2, Cua Lo - Ben Thuy Port Border Guard Station, the Town Military Command and the militia and self-defense forces of the wards... participating in rescue when an incident occurs.

"Visitors swimming in Cua Lo should pay attention to some areas with deep pools, soft mud, and strong currents such as San Gold beach, Tay Do Hotel beach, Binh Minh Square area beach, Provincial Party Committee Guest House beach and Lan Chau island area, where there are submerged and surfaced quarries and complex bottoms."

Mr. Nguyen Doan Phung - Director of Cua Lo Rescue, Search and Rescue Center

In addition, the People's Committee of Cua Lo town also issued many official dispatches, directives and printed leaflets to send to each accommodation establishment requesting hotels, motels, and restaurant owners providing tourism services to post regulations, rules, and safety warnings when swimming at the counter, reception, and accommodation rooms;

Strictly prohibit tourism service kiosks from renting unsafe life-saving equipment to tourists; mobilize local volunteers to volunteer during peak tourist season... contributing to building a safe, secure, and friendly marine tourism environment - an attractive destination for tourists.