PV:The history of Cua Lo's development is closely linked to the history of Nghe An's sea tourism development. During this development process, what memorable milestones has Cua Lo had, comrade?
Comrade Le Thanh Long:On August 29, 1994, the Government decided to establish Cua Lo town. Cua Lo was established on the basis of separation from Nghi Loc district. This is a favorable condition for sea tourism in Nghe An to have a new development step. It is necessary to recall that the history of sea tourism in Nghe An existed long before that, when in 1907, the French chose Cua Lo to build a resort and beach area.
The development process of Cua Lo beach tourism can be divided into 3 stages, including: The initial stage (from 1994 to 2004), the stage of building a civilized coastal tourism city (2004-2021), and the new development stage (from 2022 onwards).
In the early stages, on the basis of some available resorts, Cua Lo built a system of kiosks near the sea (east of Binh Minh street) to create an impression and attract tourists. During this period, Cua Lo gradually built its sea tourism brand and attracted a large number of tourists... In the late early stages, in Cua Lo, there appeared some signs that were not good for tourism development such as overcharging, raising prices, forcing prices, and soliciting tourists.
Entering the stage of building a civilized coastal tourism city, Cua Lo has issued the policy of "5 no's" (No price gouging; No soliciting or stalking customers; No massage or street vending; No harming the environment; No disturbing security and order) and resolutely implemented that policy. The policy of "5 no's" was born after the Chairman of the People's Committee of Cua Lo town, Ho Duc Phoc (2004-2007), conducted a survey and learned about tourism practices in localities developing coastal tourism across the country. Thanks to the implementation of the policy of "5 no's", negative manifestations have been minimized. In 2014, Cua Lo was recognized as the first coastal tourism city in the country.
In the new development phase, Cua Lo has carried out a revolution to raise the level of local tourism. Specifically, the town realized that the historical mission of the kiosk system near the sea had ended, it was necessary to clear it, restore the beauty of the sea, and create conditions for Cua Lo to develop sea tourism in a modern direction. Along with the clearance of the kiosk system is the rearrangement of the urban area to expand the tourism space to the West; strengthen innovation in the management of service types, including electric cars and prices of goods...
Initially, Cua Lo has succeeded in clearing the kiosk system and rearranging the restaurant system. The electric car service to pick up and drop off tourists in Cua Lo is considered beautiful, civilized, and top among coastal tourist cities.
PV:Could you tell us more about the activities to enhance Cua Lo tourism in the new development stage? And what are the difficulties and obstacles that need to be overcome?
Comrade Le Thanh Long:To raise the level of Cua Lo tourism in the new development stage, Cua Lo has had to accept a transitional period. During this period, Cua Lo focuses heavily on building urban infrastructure and tourism infrastructure. Specifically, after clearing the kiosk system east of Binh Minh Street, Cua Lo has built a planning project for the Forest Park area east of Binh Minh Street and has now announced the planning. In the near future, the Provincial People's Committee will meet to discuss how to bid for the construction of beach club areas. After completion, the appearance of Cua Lo will certainly have a big change in the direction of modernity, uniqueness, identity, friendliness and high economic efficiency.
Along with the planning and construction of the Eastern Forest Park of Binh Minh Street, the town has also rearranged the restaurant system in the West of Binh Minh Street. Up to now, the Western area has had over 150 newly built, spacious, clean, beautiful restaurants with good service style and quality.
The town has also issued a project to renovate and improve the quality of hotels and motels in the area. Cua Lo currently has many motels and hotels, but only a few have created a brand name such as Summer, Saigon Kim Lien, Muong Thanh Cua Lo... The rest have degraded and the quality of service is not guaranteed. The project aims to improve service infrastructure, tourist service skills... thereby attracting tourists in the high-spending segment.
Accompanying the town during this period, investors are also implementing many new items. Vinpearl Cua Hoi amusement park is focusing on construction, investors committed to put it into operation by April 2024. With the luxury hotel and apartment complex in Cua Lo town, Bao Khanh Hamico Investment and Trading Joint Stock Company is also submitting to Nghe An province a plan to adjust the planning to build a 45-storey hotel...
Along with the construction of the Forest Park on the East side of Binh Minh Street, the renovation of the restaurant system on the West side of Binh Minh Street, the addition of large-scale entertainment areas and luxury hotels, Cua Lo tourism will be upgraded in the near future.
In this new development stage, Cua Lo still faces some obstacles. Firstly, the awareness of some cadres, party members, businesses and people is still not fully aware of the sustainable development of tourism, so there is still a "quick fix" mindset, service attitude and service quality are not guaranteed. Next, there are still some units and businesses that do not really support the town's policy of clearance and relocation for development...
Faced with these obstacles, Cua Lo town has been strengthening propaganda and mobilization work to raise awareness of the entire political-social system, businesses and the community in unanimity, joining hands and contributing to building the Cua Lo Tourism brand; so that each citizen is a tourism propagandist; strengthening State management so that there are no more "bad apples spoiling the barrel".
PV: In the near future, Cua Lo will be merged into Vinh city. How do you evaluate the impact of the merger on the development of Cua Lo beach tourism? And what is your message to Vinh city in the future?
Comrade Le Thanh Long:The merger of Cua Lo town into Vinh city is a correct policy and an inevitable trend of the development process. Regarding tourism development, this merger will increase the connection of service infrastructure, strengthen regional connectivity, connect heritage values, create "combined" strength to attract more tourists.
After the merger, Vinh city will be a coastal city. The question is what Vinh city must do to maintain and promote the heritage of Cua Lo Tourism brand. To do this, Vinh city needs to consider coastal tourism as the key development direction. Only then can it promote its potential and advantages and create harmony and synchronicity in development.
In the process of building and developing Cua Lo tourism, there are still many unfinished projects, plans and programs. Hopefully, after the merger, Vinh city will continue to implement these projects, plans and programs. I personally always believe that with the leadership of Vinh province and city, in the future Cua Lo tourism will continue to develop and reach new heights.
PV:Thank you, comrade!
