Ensuring safety for locals and tourists at community tourism destinations in Nghe An.

Safety comes first.

In Son Lam commune, home to the famous Liep Waterfall tourist spot, local authorities have proactively implemented preparations for the tourist season since the beginning of April, focusing on completing infrastructure, installing signage systems, ensuring environmental hygiene, beautifying the landscape, and checking security and safety conditions for tourists.

Mr. Trinh Van Bang, Chairman of the Son Lam Commune People's Committee, said that after the pilot operation phase (2024-2025), tourism at Liep Waterfall has achieved some initial results, but it remains spontaneous and has not fully exploited its potential. Given this reality, the locality has developed a plan to upgrade the tourist destination; and organized meetings with organizations and individuals operating tourism services to understand the situation and promptly resolve difficulties and obstacles.

Following the review, the commune authorities requested relevant departments to continue improving the conditions for serving tourism; to standardize and renovate the system of huts and restaurants according to regulations; to strengthen management, improve service quality, and ensure a green, clean, beautiful, and safe tourism environment.

Notably, the Liếp Waterfall area has established the Liếp Waterfall Cooperative, bringing together households engaged in tourism services. The local authorities are determined to put an end to spontaneous activities and gradually bring tourism into order. Accordingly, the entire tourism space is entrusted to the cooperative for management and operation according to the approved plan, becoming the unified hub for organizing activities and economic accounting.

From the 2026 tourist season, business households will be required to join cooperatives to ensure uniformity, prevent unfair competition, and comply with the 2023 Cooperative Law and other relevant legal regulations.

In particular, to prepare for the peak season, especially during the April 30th and May 1st holidays, the local authorities have directed the cooperative to coordinate with relevant agencies to implement comprehensive solutions, with the top priority being ensuring the safety of residents and tourists. Specifically, they are increasing the installation of warning signs and strictly prohibiting climbing in areas with slippery rocks and high risks; and deploying permanent personnel to guide and control activities, contributing to ensuring safety throughout the sightseeing and experience process.

In the Cao Veu area (comprising four villages: Cao Veu 1, 2, 3, and 4) of Anh Son commune, located about 20km from the commune center, it has long been an attractive community tourism destination, linked to the preservation and promotion of the Thai ethnic group's cultural identity, attracting numerous tourists from within and outside the province. In particular, the Giang River, originating from the core area of ​​Pu Mat National Park, has created many beautiful natural bathing areas, becoming an ideal experience, especially during hot weather. To date, the four villages have developed eight community tourism sites, forming a system of bathing areas along the river, attracting a large number of tourists, especially during the April 30th - May 1st holiday.

Notably, on April 19, 2026, the People's Committee of Anh Son commune organized the Vietnamese Ethnic Groups Culture Festival (April 19) in conjunction with the opening of the "Fragrance of Veu Village" tourism season in 2026, creating a highlight to attract tourists. According to Mr. Nguyen Cong Thang, Chairman of the People's Committee of Anh Son commune, to ensure the safety of tourists, the local authorities have directed the police force and youth union to coordinate in placing warning signs in dangerous areas and installing lifebuoys at beaches, contributing to ensuring safety during sightseeing and experiences.

Strengthening the role of the community

In reality, tourist destinations associated with rivers and streams always pose many risks due to the mountainous terrain with unpredictable riverbed depths, underwater whirlpools, and slippery rocks. Meanwhile, a segment of tourists, especially young people, still have a careless attitude when experiencing these places.

In response to this situation, in addition to increasing warnings, many localities have proactively cordoned off and cordoned off safe areas at hot spring bathing spots, restricting tourists from moving outside of control.

In practice, at many community-based tourism destinations, the role of local people is increasingly evident. Not only are they key players in tourism development, but they also directly participate in ensuring the safety of tourists. At many accommodation establishments, upon arrival, tourists are informed of necessary regulations such as not going into the river at night without permission, not swimming without a local person accompanying them, and strictly adhering to warning signs.

In addition, many tourist establishments have proactively equipped themselves with life jackets and life ropes, and developed contingency plans in case of incidents. Some businesses have also participated in training courses on fire prevention, firefighting, and rescue, gradually improving their professionalism. This proactive approach not only contributes to ensuring safety but also strengthens the trust of tourists.

However, alongside the achievements, there are still many shortcomings. Previously, some tourist destinations experienced spontaneous development driven by profit, disregarding safety; some floating houses and watercraft that did not meet the requirements continued to operate, posing potential safety risks. Based on this reality, the local authorities have resolutely rectified the situation, requiring the cessation of operations or conversion of models that do not comply with regulations.

In Mon Son commune, an area developing ecotourism associated with the Pha Lai dam and the Giang River, the local authorities have been actively addressing safety violations, especially regarding the transportation of tourists by boat.

Mr. Luong Van Tuan, Vice Chairman of the Mon Son Commune People's Committee, said that right from the beginning of the 2026 tourist season, the commune organized the dismantling of some illegal structures, restoring the open space around the Pha Lai dam, while tightening management. Passenger vessels were required to relocate to the planned docks and operate in accordance with regulations. In addition, to ensure the safety of tourists, especially when sightseeing on the river, the local authorities required service establishments to publicly disseminate safety regulations, and mandate the provision of life jackets and other life-saving equipment, contributing to minimizing risks during the experience.

It is clear that community-based tourism can only develop sustainably when the safety of both locals and tourists is prioritized. This is also a consistent principle that localities in Nghe An province have persistently pursued. Simultaneously, the planning and management of tourist destinations need to be further tightened. Instead of haphazard development, localities should gradually build destinations in a systematic way, linked to environmental protection, preservation of cultural identity, and ensuring social order and safety.

In the development of community-based tourism, ensuring safety is not only the responsibility of the government but also a shared awareness of the entire community and tourists. When everyone raises their awareness and abides by regulations, the streams and rivers in western Nghe An will be safe and friendly destinations.