Vision of a civilized and modern coastal city

(Baonghean) -Before becoming a youthful and vibrant tourist city, Cua Lo was a small and poor fishing village like countless remote villages on the East Sea coast, built up by the alluvium of the Cam River in the North over many years, then connected to the alluvium of the Lam River in the South, bringing prosperity to the coastal land but with a proud history... The opening of the 2013 sea tourism season is also the time when the entire Party and people of Cua Lo Town are striving to compete to achieve many outstanding achievements towards the 20th anniversary of the Town's establishment (August 29, 1994 - August 29, 2014).

Over the past 20 years of establishment, the Party Committee, people and armed forces of the town have always strived to accelerate the urbanization process, thus achieving many important results. The economy has developed rapidly and sustainably; the average annual growth rate has reached 19-20%, in which tourism services have developed rapidly and in the right direction, playing the role of a key economic sector. Economic and social infrastructure has increased and stabilized, many key projects have begun to be effective, especially investment projects serving tourism, trade, industry and human resource training... Budget revenue has increased by an average of 22.5%/year. The political system has been increasingly improved and strengthened, social security has made much progress. Culture and society have flourished, the material and spiritual life of the people has been improved, national defense has been consolidated, political security, social order and safety have been ensured. The poverty rate has decreased rapidly, the ecological environment has improved, administrative reform and the investment environment are favorable.

However, in order for Cua Lo to develop and make a stronger breakthrough, the Party Committee and the town government need to implement appropriate solutions to develop a solid socio-economy. In particular, there needs to be a combination of two important factors: First, it is necessary to integrate more strongly into the common economy, exploit development opportunities from the outside, strengthen internal strength, accelerate the process of economic restructuring towards industrialization and modernization; Second, it is necessary to establish dynamic comparative advantages, by dominating new technology industries, creating products with higher competitiveness and contributing greatly to economic growth, in which the tourism service industry is the spearhead. Along with expanding space, the important breakthrough for the socio-economic development of Cua Lo in the coming time will be the synchronous development of urban and rural infrastructure systems, connecting with the infrastructure systems of districts, towns, especially Vinh City. Currently, the transportation system connecting Cua Lo with neighboring districts and provinces is quite complete and is being continued to be invested in (railway, National Highway 1A, National Highway 46, Vinh - Cua Lo Boulevard, Cua Lo Port, Vinh Airport...) to quickly help Cua Lo have enough conditions to upgrade to a type II urban area, thereby creating for Cua Lo a new, attractive, safe and effective investment environment.

Cua Lo town before the festival opening Photo: Sy Minh

The issue of developing high-quality human resources is also focused on by all levels and sectors. With the current main development orientation of the tourism service industry (accounting for 60-65% of the economic development structure), training and improving the quality of human resources (management and operation as well as service) of tourism services is very necessary. Currently, Cua Lo has many advantages to make this breakthrough when it is close to Vinh City, a major training center in the North Central region and is being planned to become the economic and cultural center of the North Central region. On the other hand, Cua Lo has a system of training high-quality human resources, connecting from intermediate to postgraduate levels and in the near future will be the place to concentrate universities, vocational colleges, and regional and international research institutes. Continue to form economic corridors, growth poles, functional subdivisions as the foundation for the development of service industries (industrial parks and clusters in Nghi Thu; scientific research centers in Nghi Hai; university and college areas, high-end commercial and tourist areas in Nghi Huong, Nghi Thu; resorts and tourism areas in Thu Thuy, high-end entertainment areas in Ngu Island, Lan Chau Island, Cua Hoi area...). Continue to build people, build many restaurants, offices, schools, civilized alleys to create highlights for each service sector.

Gradually overcoming the seasonal situation of tourism, Cua Lo has also focused on investing to form a system of key tourism products, diversifying tourism products to attract tourists. Promoting administrative reform to create an attractive investment environment, focusing on efforts to link administrative reform contents with improving the investment environment, including implementing well the "one-stop mechanism" for investors. Publicly announcing planning, organizing construction bidding for works to ensure compliance with regulations, harmoniously combining the interests of the people and the legitimate interests of the State and investors; at the same time, requesting the province to continue supporting a number of mechanisms to attract investment in various fields for Cua Lo Town.

With high determination, the spirit of national solidarity, effectively utilizing the help from the Central, the province and friends, Cua Lo town is determined to promote its potential to develop to a new height, striving to become a civilized and modern coastal city.

Le Minh Thong - Chairman of People's Committee of Cua Lo Town