Developing Cua Lo into a bright spot attracting investment.

(Baonghean) - Cua Lo town has been identified by the province as a key area for tourism development, and is also one of the two economic growth poles and a leading growth engine of the province. Therefore, Cua Lo town is regularly targeted by the province to attract investment projects, especially in the tourism and service sectors.

Great prospects from the projects

Returning to Cua Lo town and heading towards Cua Hoi on the first day of the year, I was impressed by the appearance of a new construction: Vinpearl Cua Hoi. This hotel, entertainment, and resort villa complex project by Vingroup has a total investment of over 900 billion VND on an area of ​​38.75 hectares, including items such as: resort villas, a 5-star hotel, restaurants, a boat dock reception area, and several other amenities.

Construction on the project began in July 2016, with some components expected to be operational in the early second quarter of 2017. Upon completion, the project will create a highlight for tourism in the coastal town and is highly anticipated by Cua Lo town and the province. The site manager stated: "We are working day and night to accelerate the construction progress, striving to have it operational by the end of April 2017, just in time for the Cua Lo tourism festival. Currently, the basic structure is complete, and we are focusing on finishing the landscaping and auxiliary facilities..."

The 5-star hotel – the Vinpearl Cửa Hội project – is being constructed rapidly. Photo: Thu Huyền

Thanks to its favorable geographical location and natural advantages, along with the efforts and sound policies of the town's Party committee and government in improving the investment and business environment, the town has seen many positive changes in attracting investment in recent years. It has attracted many large projects such as: the Vinamilk dairy factory, which started operations on June 30, 2005; and the Trang An confectionery factory, which started operations at the end of 2009. The town has 295 accommodation establishments with nearly 10,000 rooms, including 45 classified hotels.

Typical examples include the 27-story Muong Thanh Cua Lo Hotel project with 250 rooms, meeting 4-star standards. Construction began in October 2013 and was completed and put into operation in April 2015. The Summer Hotel project is a 19-story building with 250 rooms, also meeting 4-star standards. The Saigon Kim Lien Resort is a 4-star hotel with over 80 rooms.

The Cua Lo Golf Resort project, featuring an 18-hole golf course and a system of resort villas, is already operational and is currently undergoing further investment. Another project is the "Lan Chau Ecotourism, Resort Villa, Sports, and Entertainment Complex." In addition, several large hotels along Binh Minh road are currently under construction and nearing completion to be ready for the 2017 tourist season.

Mr. Doan Tien Dung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Cua Lo town, said: The Party Committee, government, and people of Cua Lo town always consider attracting investment as a key task for the town's development and always create the best conditions for investors based on clear commitments regarding development goals and strategies. Especially in 2016, in addition to the Vinpearl Cua Hoi project, the town attracted investment in the Golden City resort villa project, which is currently undergoing land allocation procedures for investment.

The coastal town is also expanding its space with many transportation projects underway. These include attracting investment for the construction of berths 5 and 6 at Cua Lo Port by Tuan Loc Construction Investment Joint Stock Company, with a total investment of 1,180 billion VND (berth 5 is expected to be operational by July 2017); the expansion of Binh Minh road to the east, extending from Cua Lo Port to Cua Hoi; the construction of an embankment and pedestrian walkway; and the Vinh - Cua Lo Boulevard project, which is currently underway and expected to be completed in 2018. In particular, the Cua Hoi Bridge project, with a total investment of over 1,000 billion VND under the PPP model, connecting Nghi Hai ward in Cua Lo town with Nghi Xuan district in Ha Tinh province, is a highly anticipated highlight in the area.

Enhance investment attraction

In accordance with Decision 52 of the Prime Minister approving the Vinh City Planning until 2030 with a vision to 2050, which includes Cua Lo, the town is currently developing functional zoning plans for its wards in a civilized and modern direction; and planning for the beach park area in a modern, convenient manner that suits the local characteristics, creating a highlight for the town.

Simultaneously, the tourism area will be expanded southward with the construction of Binh Minh II Square, connecting with the Vinpearl Cua Hoi entertainment complex and resort villa project, and several other projects. Connections will also be made with the ADB to promote investment in the coastal promenade and Mai Thuc Loan road projects...

The town is focusing its resources on completing several key routes such as: Nguyen Hue Street, Road No. 4, expanding Binh Minh Street, the wastewater drainage project, and continuing to upgrade Sao Nam Street... To move towards building a type II urban area, the town is focusing on coordinating with departments, agencies, and the People's Committee of Nghi Loc District to complete the plan for expanding its administrative boundaries.

Many large resort projects are springing up, adding a highlight to the coastal city. Photo: Thu Huyen

Currently, Cua Lo town is hiring a consulting firm to develop a functional zoning plan for the wards and a tourism area plan east of Binh Minh road, with the aim of creating a coastal tourism area that is both characteristic of the locality and modern, with a strong sense of community. It also aims to attract capable investors to further develop an entertainment complex in the Cua Hoi area (opposite the Vinpearl Cua Hoi project).

The project includes a cable car to Ngư Island, an entertainment complex on Ngư Island, and investment in electricity and water supply systems for the island. Within this area, the town will invest in high-end food courts to meet the dining needs of tourists visiting Cửa Lò. These are considered major projects, "steel fists" that will leave a mark on the development of Cửa Lò in particular and Nghệ An province in general.

In addition, the town will attract projects in finance, banking, supermarkets, etc. To create jobs for local households, the town will attract another garment manufacturing project to the Cua Lo Industrial Cluster. It will continue to attract investment to complete berths 5, 6, 7, and 8 of Cua Lo Port; develop fishing logistics areas, boat mooring areas, seawalls, pedestrian walkways, and complete the transportation network, etc.

"2017 marks the 110th anniversary of Cua Lo tourism – an event that signifies the long-term development and progress of this coastal town. The local Party committees and authorities are committed to accompanying and working closely with businesses in the implementation of projects and are determined to build Cua Lo town into a shining example of attracting investment," emphasized Mr. Doan Tien Dung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Cua Lo town.

Thu Huyen