New vitality, new look of the coastal town

PV: Can you tell us about the outstanding results in the development fields that Cua Lo town achieved in 2022?

Comrade Doan Tien Dung:2022 is the third year of implementing the Resolutions of the Party Congresses at all levels and the Resolution of the 6th Town Party Congress. Although affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, unfavorable weather, and continued difficulties in the domestic economy, thanks to the strong leadership and direction of the Town Party Committee, People's Council, and People's Committee, the participation of the Fatherland Front, organizations, sectors, levels, and localities, and the efforts of all cadres, party members, and people of the town, the implementation of the town's political tasks has overcome difficulties and challenges and achieved many positive results.

Opening night of Cua Lo Tourism Week 2022. Photo courtesy of Thanh Cuong

Specifically, 25/27 socio-economic development targets have been achieved and exceeded. In particular, the tourism sector has been restored and strongly developed: The total number of visitors in 2022 is estimated at 3,052,000, reaching 196.9% of the plan, of which, the number of overnight guests is 1,036,000, reaching 201% of the yearly plan, and 115 groups of foreign visitors with 1,036 visitors. Total tourism revenue is 3,218 billion VND, reaching 211.4% of the yearly plan. The total value of industrial production in 2022 increased by 12% compared to 2021. The total value of construction production increased by 18.3% compared to 2021.

The economic structure has shifted in the right direction, culture and society have had many clear changes; national defense and security have been maintained; the political system has been consolidated, internal solidarity and unity are high; the material and spiritual life of the people is stable and gradually improved...

Hot Air Balloon Festival was held for the first time in Cua Lo. Photo courtesy of Duc Anh

In particular, the wholeCua Lo townSuccessfully carried out the "revolution" of clearing the park area east of Binh Minh Street, carried out the planning procedures for the west of Binh Minh Street and a number of key projects that received public approval and high appreciation...

PV: 2022 is the year that Cua Lo town has many new and breakthrough features, including the planning of the East and West sides of Binh Minh Street with the hope that after completion, Cua Lo will have a completely new look. Can you tell us more specifically about this change of the town to welcome the 2023 tourist season?

The area east of Binh Minh Street will be planned in a direction consistent with the orientation of long-term sustainable development, synchronous, modern, attractive, environmentally friendly,... Photo courtesy of Thanh Cuong

Comrade Doan Tien Dung:Currently, the town is continuing to complete, deploy, and bid for the planning of the East side of Binh Minh Street, the planning of the urban area in Nghi Thu ward, Nghi Huong ward, attracting investors to develop the food court in Nghi Thu ward, the food court in Nghi Hoa ward; and renovating and managing the night food court in Nghi Thuy ward.

Strictly manage activities at Binh Minh Square according to issued regulations; manage activities at Lan Chau Island. Rearrange breakfast spots, souvenir and beverage shops in a gradual direction, eliminate sidewalk businesses from Binh Minh Street to Long Street No. 2; pay attention to building a restaurant system on the west side of Binh Minh Street to ensure urban aesthetics...

More than 20,000 tourists visit the coastal town of Cua Lo during the holiday. Photo courtesy of Quang An

In addition, the town focuses resources on investing and completing key projects in 2023, such as prioritizing counterpart resources to implement provincial and central projects in the area: Expanding Binh Minh Street, renovating the East and West sides of Binh Minh Street, roads to wharves 5, 6, 7, 8 of Cua Lo port, repairing the sea embankment on the East side of Binh Minh Street, early implementation of urban beautification work to serve tourism in 2023, lighting infrastructure, decorative electricity, green tree and grass system...

Mobilize hotels, restaurants, households and the State to invest in infrastructure. Coordinate to soon put the Cua Hoi Amusement and Recreation Area Project into use in the 2023 tourist season, along with completing Vinh - Cua Lo Boulevard through Cua Lo area, longitudinal road No. 5, upgrading Sao Nam road...

Sea daisies - an interesting experience on a trip to Cua Lo. Photo courtesy of Duc Anh

Implement the 2023 tourism plan issued by the Provincial People's Committee, including organizing early 2023 tourism festival activities in early March and opening the tourism festival in early April; strengthen Cua Lo tourism promotion, connect tours, routes, organize cultural, artistic, physical education, sports, and event activities with highlights of fireworks, hot air balloons, floating flower lanterns... and research breakthrough events, different from 2022. Improve service quality, upgrade infrastructure, service quality of restaurant and hotel systems, build beautiful and modern destinations and check-in points.

Strive to welcome 3-4 million visitors, of which 1.25 million will stay overnight, with revenue of VND3,550 billion, increasing the length of stay and use of services when coming to the town.

Grilled fish on charcoal, an attractive dish of Cua Lo during the tourist season. Photo courtesy of Duc Anh

Effectively implement the policy of “5 no’s” and “3 yes’s”. Improve the quality of OCOP products and the quality of products from craft villages, and strive for each ward to develop unique products for tourists to visit and shop.

PV: So what are the key tasks that need to be focused on in 2023 to create momentum for the town's long-term development, comrade?

Comrade Doan Tien Dung:Despite many difficulties and shortcomings, the town has identified 2023 as a pivotal year in implementing the Resolution of the 6th Town Party Congress, so in 2023 and the following years, the town will continue to effectively implement the province's specific mechanisms and policies to have resources to deploy the town's major plans and projects, gradually perfecting the inner-city traffic system and infrastructure serving tourism, in order to change the face of the city and create a highlight for sustainable development.

Continue to implement economic stimulus solutions, coordinate with investors to speed up project progress, develop services, trade, wholesale and retail, improve and increase people's income and living standards; build culture and people, meet the requirements of urban tourism, build model residential areas, firmly ensure national defense and security; promote administrative reform, streamline staff, improve the effectiveness and efficiency of law enforcement.

Sidewalk system, lighting... on many roadsThe west side of Binh Minh Street will be invested in and renovated by Cua Lo Town.Renovating and upgrading to welcome the 2023 tourist season. Photo courtesy of Thanh Cuong

Specifically: Prioritize resources for key projects, renovate the East and West of Binh Minh Street to change the urban face of the town; Complete and publicize the town planning for the period 2021 - 2030 and the planning of the East of Binh Minh Street, urban areas, parking systems, and culinary areas; Strengthen promotion and attract investment in more large-scale projects as a driving force for Cua Lo tourism development.

Focus on promoting Cua Lo tourism to domestic and foreign tourists, especially applying 4.0 technology in propaganda work to attract more and more tourists to the coastal tourist city.

Building a food court in Nghi Hoa and Nghi Thu wards to re-organize services and maintain business activities to serve the needs of tourism development after the clearance of the Eastern area. Photo courtesy of Thanh Cuong

Cua Lo beach, from the end of the 72m road to the No. 1 crossroad to Lan Chau island, will be planned, renovated and upgraded to welcome the 2023 tourist season with the criteria of ensuring "Modernity, uniqueness, identity, friendliness and high economic efficiency". Photo courtesy of Thanh Cuong

Strongly reforming administration and considering this as a breakthrough, striving to be in the top 21 districts, cities and towns in terms of administrative reform ranking index results; Operating and managing the IOC system, implementing smart urban projects...; Innovating in the way of organizing and managing tourism activities, services, organizing cultural and sports events to attract tourists and people to participate such as: Spiritual tourism festival (Van Loc temple, Bau Loi temple, Mai Bang temple...) Street music festival associated with night culinary activities; Street Carnival festival, fishing festival, lantern festival, hot air balloon, Halloween...

PV: Thank you, comrade!