Homestay - a 'breath of fresh air' in the tourism business in Cua Lo.
Located on the sunny coast of Central Vietnam, Cua Lo Beach (Vinh City, Nghe An Province) has long been one of the most attractive resort destinations in the North Central region. It attracts tourists not only with its clear blue water, fine sand, and luxurious hotels, but also with its convenient homestay accommodations.
homestay -A new choice for travelers.
For many years, tourists visiting Cua Lo beach have typically chosen hotels, guesthouses, or resorts as their accommodation. There are quite a few 5-star, 4-star, and 3-star hotels here. Some hotels even boast infinity pools on elevated platforms, like the Muong Thanh and Sumer. However, the trend towards experiential tourism, closeness to local culture, and a desire for comfort is creating favorable conditions for the development of homestays. Homestays are not simply places to stay; with their relaxing spaces, kitchens, private pools, gardens, reading rooms, natural surroundings, and separate rooms, they offer guests the feeling of living in a local home.
Guests can cook their own meals, order takeout, eat outdoors or in their rooms, chat with the host, and immerse themselves in the daily life of the people of Cua Lo – something that traditional hotels and guesthouses struggle to offer. Currently in Cua Lo, although few in number, there are homestays that are embracing this trend for families seeking a relaxing getaway.
A beautiful homestay on Mai Thuc Loan Street in Cua Lo is currently fully booked for the April 30th and May 1st holidays. The owner, Ms. Tran Ngoc Ha, says that most of the guests are repeat customers who recommend the property to others. The homestay features a swimming pool, garden, balcony with coffee, and a relaxing space. The rooms are suitable for large families, accommodating up to 13 people, divided into separate sections ideal for parents and children. Each room includes a sink, cooking area, and refrigerator. Because it's a recent investment, this homestay is quite luxurious and high-quality, priced at 3 million VND per night, suitable for those with a relatively high income. The owner, having traveled abroad, understood the current trend of this type of accommodation and invested early in it.
Besides building homestay-style rooms, Ms. Ha also has private villas that she rents out in a homestay style. This type of accommodation is suitable for people who like to stay at their own pace, without restrictions, and can stroll along the beach and experience local tourism at their own leisure.
Another homestay called Golf on the Vinh - Cua Lo road has also been operating for quite some time. It boasts a beautiful location, close to Cua Lo's most beautiful beach and opposite the golf course, with stunning natural scenery. Stepping outside, guests can encounter fields of sea daisies and admire the Cua Hoi amusement park of the Vinpearl Group.
The spacious and airy homestay, equipped with full amenities, creates a comfortable and cozy atmosphere for guests. The owner, Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Ha, said: "Currently, the trend in tourism is mainly driven by those with a moderately high income, so the cost of accommodation and time is still a consideration. Family travel is also becoming more popular, making homestays a good option for many travelers. Our homestay has three separate units, each capable of accommodating 30 people. Each unit has five private rooms and one dormitory-style room, making it a good choice for small companies and families traveling together."
Some homestays in Cua Lo have chosen beautiful locations for investment. From here, guests can take the cable car, go swimming, go squid fishing, visit the seafood market, and enjoy a variety of local dishes such as Cua Lo fish noodle soup, Thanh Chuong chicken stew, mackerel in sauce, Cua Lo squid, rice noodles, and many other dishes…
Some residents who buy villas or houses in Cua Lo also live there with their families and rent them out when not needed. The cost of accommodation isn't high, around 300,000 VND per night, but homeowners want to offer food and beverage services to generate additional income. Hotels like Muong Thanh, Song Ngu, and Vinpearl also invest in detached homestay-style apartments to accommodate multiple families, complete with kitchens, gardens, and swimming pools in some cases.
A hotel offering homestay services on Mai Thuc Loan Street stated: "The hotel has 5 separate villas with pool and garden views. Guests can book a whole villa or individual rooms for families. Guests can decorate the space for a gala dinner according to the needs of their groups. Amenities include a restaurant with set menus and fresh seafood prepared in various ways based on guests' needs, a cafe, and drinks, and it's only 200 meters from Binh Minh Square - Cua Lo…"
Homestays in Cua Lo are quite diverse, offering more choices for tourists, especially international visitors who prefer spacious accommodations and fresh air. Prices currently range from 300,000 to 3,500,000 VND per night. Most homestays in Cua Lo are concentrated in Nghi Hoa, Nghi Thu, and Nghi Huong wards, near the main beach and night market, providing a significant location advantage for visitors.
Investment prospects
If we travel to other countries and popular tourist destinations, we will see that homestays are already very common. For example, in Hoi An and Da Lat, entire villages are dedicated to tourism. In Cua Lo, homestay services are relatively new and need to be encouraged to develop further to increase accommodation options for tourists.
Homestays are considered a promising investment opportunity for small-scale investors and locals in Cua Lo beach, as the beach becomes increasingly popular in Vietnam. The investment prospects are promising as Gen Z tourists, young couples, and families increasingly prefer "traveling like a local" experiences over luxurious resorts. Beachfront homestays perfectly meet this need with reasonable costs, ideal for young people wanting to gather in groups, hold parties, and so on.
In terms of investment costs, compared to building hotels or resorts, the homestay model requires significantly lower initial investment. Local residents can utilize their existing homes to renovate them into accommodations for tourists, generating income while promoting local culture. For tourists, the cost is also reasonable, allowing them to relax in their rooms while enjoying the sea view, reading a book, or admiring the green garden. If this trend is understood and developed with appropriate policies, it could be a new direction and a new livelihood for people living along the Cua Lo coast, fostering community tourism and opening the door to year-round tourism in the area.
Mr. Mac Tu Khoa, a tourist from Vinh City, said: "Homestays are a newly emerging business model in Cua Lo, suitable and convenient. Many families want to go on vacation and choose this type of accommodation because it's comfortable, not restrictive, allows cooking, ordering food, has spacious rooms, and allows negotiation with the owner about arrival and departure times... Currently, this type of accommodation has great potential, but it's quite sparse in Cua Lo. There needs to be more areas concentrating homestays, and more promotion is needed so that people know about them."
Homestays in Cua Lo are still relatively new, but they represent a fresh approach that enriches service options, aligns with current trends, and offers convenience to visitors coming to Cua Lo.
Homestays in Nghe An are already quite popular in the Mekong Delta, and now they're available in Cua Lo, offering tourists more choices and comfortable, nature-friendly vacations. Investing in a homestay is a good option, but it requires business registration, tax declarations, and compliance with fire safety regulations.
