Cua Lo Town: Accelerating key projects to serve tourism.

In 2023, the townCua LoThe target is to welcome and serve over 3.4 million tourists, including 1.3 million overnight visitors, and generate revenue...tourismreaching 2 trillion VND… To achieve this goal, the town has promptly issued a plan to activate the Year of Tourism; promoting the implementation of the development strategy along with solutions with high spirit and determination to build a greener, cleaner, and more beautiful town.

The 72-meter-wide arterial road connecting Vinh City with Cua Lo town is currently under construction and nearing completion in phase 2. (Photo: Archival image)

One of the long-term strategic solutions implemented by the town is to effectively utilize the province's specific mechanisms and policies to secure resources for the implementation of major town plans and projects, gradually improving the inner-city transportation system and tourism infrastructure, aiming to transform the urban landscape and create a sustainable development highlight.

Visiting Cua Lo town in early March 2023, one could see the entire coastal town resembling a bustling "construction site," brimming with enthusiasm. At the town's entrance, the vital 72-meter-wide highway connecting Vinh City with Cua Lo town is being constructed day and night, with phase 2 being completed and the road doubled in width. Towards Cua Hoi, the cable car line across the sea, connecting the mainland to Song Ngu Island (Hon Ngu), is also being urgently developed to be inaugurated in the second quarter of 2023.

Construction work to upgrade the seawall is proceeding urgently. Photo: Thanh Chung

Currently, Binh Minh Street – the town's main road – is undergoing upgrading and expansion, widening it by an additional 7 meters to the east. This upgrade and expansion project began in September 2022 and is expected to take four years to complete. The total length of the expanded section of Binh Minh Street is 7.56 km, with its starting point intersecting Nguyen Xi Street in Thu Thuy Ward and its end point connecting to the Lam River embankment road.

The Bình Minh road expansion project is being constructed in stages, one section at a time. Upon completion, the project will partially alleviate traffic congestion in Cửa Lò during the annual beach tourism season. At the same time, it will create a more open and beautiful road, contributing to the overall aesthetic appeal of Cửa Lò beach.

Construction of freshwater bathing facilities for tourists. Photo: Thanh Chung

On the eastern side of Binh Minh Street, after the demolition of 209 food and beverage stalls, construction projects, resorts, hotels, etc., along the beachfront, the town has left behind 16 freshwater bathing areas. Following the assignment from the Cua Lo Town People's Committee, the Urban Management Board is carrying out repairs and implementing management and operation through a socialized model to provide services. Also in this area, the repair of the seawall is being actively implemented. Simultaneously, the construction and upgrading of the lighting system along the pedestrian walkway and the roads from Binh Minh Street to the beach to ensure adequate lighting for the forest park area is being urgently carried out.

Renovating the sidewalk on the west side of Binh Minh Street. Photo: Thanh Chung

Information from the People's Committee of Cua Lo town: At this time, public investment projects in the area continue to proceed according to plan. In particular, the upgrading of technical infrastructure items on the west side of Binh Minh road is being accelerated, such as the lighting system and sidewalks. The town has also been, is, and will continue to implement greening projects on Sao Nam, Mai Thuc Loan, and crossroad No. 13 roads…

By the end of 2023, Cua Lo town will focus on implementing phase 2 of the wastewater treatment project; and will develop a plan to connect the wastewater systems of kiosks and restaurants (newly built) to the town's general wastewater treatment system.

Besides the urgent urban renovation efforts by relevant authorities, it is encouraging that businesses in the town are also urgently rebuilding their facilities. On the west side of Binh Minh Street, more than 100 restaurants are currently being constructed and completed to serve tourists.

Mr. Nguyen Van Son, a business owner, shared: “After relocating from the beach to the west side of Binh Minh road, business will certainly face more challenges and difficulties. However, my family strongly supports the initiative to make the town more beautiful and developed. My family has high expectations for the new tourist season.”

Businesses are relocating to the west side of Binh Minh Street. Photo: Thanh Chung

Mr. Hoang Van Phuc, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Cua Lo town, said: "At this time, all the people of the town are actively preparing for tourism activities in 2023. In particular, restaurants and hotels are rushing to renovate their facilities and businesses to welcome tourists to Cua Lo."

The town is also focusing all resources on upgrading tourism infrastructure, accelerating the progress of transportation infrastructure, lighting systems, decorative lighting, and check-in points for tourists; and strengthening environmental sanitation in the forest park and beach area… All preparations will be completed before March 30th so that the opening ceremony of the 2023 Tourism Festival (scheduled for April 6th) will be a great success.