There have been conflicting opinions regarding the handling of violations in the Tea Island area, Thanh An commune, Thanh Chuong district: the case of unauthorized conversion of land use and illegal construction of tourism service facilities in the form of homestays on Khe Tro hill.
One school of thought argues that strict action must be taken in accordance with the law. This means imposing administrative penalties on those who violate the regulations, forcing the demolition of illegal constructions, and restoring the land to its original state before the violation; at the same time, serious disciplinary measures should be taken against the collectives and individuals entrusted with state management responsibilities at the local level.
Conversely, some argue that violations should not be handled too "rigidly." They believe that forcing the demolition of illegal structures and the restoration of the land to its original state would be a waste of money and hinder development. They even suggest a change in mindset, encouraging dedicated and capable individuals and groups to undertake similar projects to create development opportunities for Thanh Chuong district and other disadvantaged localities in the province.
To date, the construction of a homestay tourism facility on Khe Tro hill has been determined by Thanh Chuong district to be a violation of land and construction laws. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that the homestay owner has repeatedly violated regulations, despite inspections by local authorities at the commune and district levels, official reports, and even orders to suspend and dismantle the construction. Consequently, an official from Thanh Chuong district has argued that the Tea Island area has a planned tourism zone, and an investor has already been approved by the Provincial People's Committee. If this is not dealt with strictly, will the two levels of government in Thanh Chuong district be able to prevent and handle further illegal homestay constructions? And will Thanh Chuong district be able to protect the tourism zone plan approved by the Provincial People's Committee?
However, on the other hand, some have questioned why, despite the Tea Island Tourist Area development plan being in place for over six years, the investor has yet to take any action, resulting in a delayed project. Meanwhile, the Tea Island area has truly become a destination for tourists from within and outside the province, and even foreign tourists. When visiting the Tea Island area, in addition to sightseeing, tourists have needs for food, drink, accommodation, and rest. If we keep waiting for the investor, who knows how long it will take? Therefore, shouldn't we continue to penalize violations, but also create opportunities for tourist service establishments like homestays to continue operating?
Indeed, listening to both viewpoints leaves me feeling conflicted. The suggestion to strictly enforce the law is clearly correct. After all, legal regulations must be absolutely followed. There's an old saying, "Even the emperor is punished like a commoner," affirming that regardless of social standing, anyone who violates the law must be punished. However, in the Tea Island area, the illegal construction of homestays stems from stalled projects, practical needs, and even lax management by individuals and groups entrusted with responsibility by the State…
Therefore, besides strictly enforcing the law, it's necessary to re-examine the planning of the Tea Island Tourist Area and the investor whose project is currently stalled. If the investor lacks the capacity and ability to implement the project, a new alternative plan should be developed. If there isn't a sufficiently large investor, opportunities should be created for smaller investors, helping them establish tourist service points based on the homestay model that comply with legal regulations. Don't let this drag on, lest a small problem escalate into a big one!
