Nghe An tightens management to prevent price gouging during tourist season.
As the summer tourist season approaches, Nghe An province has a great opportunity to attract tourists. However, this also comes with considerable pressure in ensuring food safety and hygiene and controlling service prices – factors that directly impact the experience and trust of tourists.
Proactive control from the grassroots level.
In just a short time, Nghe An will officially enter the peak summer tourist season. Currently, at tourist destinations such as Cua Lo, Dien Chau, Hai Chau, Quynh Phu, Quynh Anh, Quynh Mai, etc., infrastructure improvements, accommodation and restaurant upgrades, as well as plans to ensure security, environmental hygiene, food safety, and price control are being urgently implemented.
In Cua Lo, along Binh Minh road, accommodation establishments, restaurants, shower facilities, parking lots, etc., have all been renovated and upgraded, ready to welcome guests.
Mr. Dang Anh Thang, a specialist from the Economic, Infrastructure and Urban Planning Department of Cua Lo Ward, said: The ward currently has 297 accommodation establishments with more than 11,596 rooms; and over 180 restaurants and food and beverage service businesses. In addition, the locality has planned 12 locations east of Binh Minh road for service development, maintaining the operation of 7 markets along with many supermarkets and convenience stores to serve tourists.
The figure of over 5.9 million visitors and revenue exceeding 6 trillion VND in 2025 demonstrates the strong appeal of Cua Lo tourism. However, this large number of visitors, concentrated in a short period, especially during holidays and tourism openings, also creates considerable pressure on management.
In reality, prices in Cua Lo, especially seafood, frequently fluctuate according to weather conditions, catch yields, and input costs such as fuel. During peak seasons, localized shortages can occur, leading to price increases. Worryingly, price gouging, particularly for parking services, still occurs at certain times, especially at unauthorized parking lots in residential areas, during the opening days of the tourist season, or on fireworks displays.
In fact, during the 2025 tourist season, several individuals providing services were also penalized for overcharging tourists. Specifically, on April 20, 2025, in Nghi Huong ward (before the merger), after receiving complaints from tourists about being charged 80,000 VND for parking on the opening night of Cua Lo tourism, the authorities quickly investigated, clarified the matter, and issued a report against Mr. LDQ (born in 1978), the parking attendant at lot number 68, Da Tuong street; and proceeded to handle the case according to regulations.
For example, in late October 2025, social media was abuzz with information about a group of students complaining about being overcharged for food and accommodation while traveling in Cua Lo. Following this complaint, the People's Committee of Cua Lo Ward immediately investigated and worked with the relevant parties. The subsequent verification report revealed that the group of tourists, consisting of 65 students, 6 teachers, and 2 drivers, rented 18 rooms from October 24-26, 2025, at an average price of 300,000 VND per room per night and ordered three main meals at 100,000 VND per serving.
After the local authorities intervened, representatives of the tourist group acknowledged that the post was the result of dissatisfaction from a few individuals. Although the post was later removed, the timely and cautious handling by the local authorities was deemed appropriate, contributing to stabilizing public opinion and preventing negative impacts on the image of tourism in Cua Lo in particular and Nghe An in general.
Mr. Hoang Minh Son, the owner of a restaurant on Binh Minh Street, believes that the pressure during peak season is immense, especially given the fluctuating prices of raw materials. However, to retain tourists, establishments must prioritize reputation. "We always choose seafood sources that guarantee quality and publicly display prices. When there are price fluctuations, we will clearly inform customers so they can rest assured," Mr. Son shared.
In the northern coastal communes and wards of the province, preparations for the tourist season are also being carried out urgently. In Quynh Anh commune, Mr. Ho Nghia Duong - Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune - said that with more than 5km of coastline, a convenient transportation system connecting via National Highway 48E, provincial roads and the Nghi Son - Cua Lo coastal road, along with many historical sites, festivals and unique products, the locality has many advantages for tourism development. In 2025, the locality is expected to welcome about 280,000 visitors, with estimated revenue of 270 billion VND.
Entering this year's tourist season, infrastructure continues to be invested in, with the entire commune now having 18 accommodation establishments with nearly 400 rooms. The local authorities are focusing on upgrading facilities and simultaneously requiring businesses to strictly adhere to price listing regulations, ensure food safety, and prevent price gouging. Along with this, the commune is strengthening training to improve service quality, tightening security and order, fire prevention and control, and environmental protection, aiming to build a safe and friendly tourist destination.
A synchronized approach is needed to maintain the brand.
While efforts at the grassroots level are crucial, effectively controlling food safety and prices during the tourist season requires systematic and synchronized solutions across the entire province.
Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Cua Lo Ward, said: Recognizing the risks affecting the Cua Lo tourism brand, the local government has proactively developed a plan to manage prices and ensure food safety during the tourist season. Accordingly, businesses must strictly comply with the regulations of the Food Safety Law, publicly display prices, and commit to not increasing prices unreasonably. Based on the price framework announced by the State, the locality requires hotels, restaurants, and service establishments to fully display the prices of essential goods and services such as parking, showering, sanitation, entertainment (renting floats, SUP paddling, jet skis, etc.) as well as food and drinks at their business locations.
Price lists must be placed in easily visible locations, clearly stating the information and including the hotline number of the relevant authorities so that residents and tourists can promptly report any price gouging. At the same time, price listing and the public display of the hotline number are also required on online platforms such as websites, Facebook, Zalo, and TikTok of the establishments, thereby increasing transparency and contributing to building a civilized and healthy tourism environment.
According to Mr. Hung, after the relevant regulations were announced, the ward assigned the Urban Order Management Team to take the lead, in coordination with the ward police and other functional departments, to strengthen inspection, supervision, and strictly handle violations. The handling process follows a clear roadmap. Accordingly, first-time violations will result in a warning; second-time violations will result in a written record and an administrative penalty decision; and if violations continue, the authorities will resolutely apply measures to terminate business operations as prescribed, in order to ensure urban discipline and a healthy business environment.
Aiming to make tourism a key economic sector, on April 3, 2026, the People's Committee of Nghe An province issued Plan No. 234/KH-TCT4 on directing and promoting tourism growth in 2026 with many key and synchronized tasks and solutions.
One of the key priorities is to strengthen communication and promotion of Nghe An's image as a safe, friendly, and culturally rich province; improve the quality of tourism products and develop diverse types of tourism. At the same time, it is necessary to review and refine mechanisms to support tourism development, ensuring a civilized and safe tourism environment, contributing to attracting domestic and international tourists...
Recently, on April 16, 2026, at a meeting of the Nghe An Provincial Tourism Development Steering Committee to evaluate the results of activities in 2025 and implement tasks for 2026, Mr. Thai Van Thanh - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and Head of the Provincial Tourism Development Steering Committee - also emphasized: In order for tourism to truly become a key economic sector, it is necessary to continue changing mindsets, raising awareness, and strengthening communication efforts.
The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee assigned the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to take the lead and coordinate with relevant departments and localities to implement comprehensive solutions aimed at creating a clear shift in the awareness of the entire political system and the people regarding the role and position of tourism in socio-economic development.
In particular, at key destinations, it is necessary to focus on building an image of the people of Nghe An as friendly, civilized, and professional. From taxi drivers, motorbike taxi drivers, and transport workers to local people involved in providing tourism services, everyone must improve their awareness of conduct, maintain a standard, dedicated, and responsible service attitude, contributing to creating a positive impression on tourists...
However, to build a healthy tourism environment and maintain the brand of Nghe An tourism, especially beach tourism, many opinions suggest that it is necessary to continue improving the management mechanism, from the pricing of essential services to enhancing the quality of service and the business ethics of organizations and individuals participating in tourism activities. At the same time, it is important to effectively utilize the hotline to receive feedback from tourists and strictly handle violations...
In the long term, Nghe An needs to orient its tourism development towards professionalism, improving service quality and human resources, and building a civilized business culture. When solutions are implemented synchronously, along with the involvement of the government, businesses, and people, the tourism environment will become increasingly safe and friendly, creating a foundation for sustainable development.
