Request to implement 'hot' telegram on drowning prevention at community tourism sites in Nghe An

The Western Nghe An region has long had scenic spots associated with streams and creeks that have been exploited for tourism purposes, creating attractive destinations, such as: Bay Tang waterfall, Sao Va waterfall (Que Phong), Khe Kem waterfall, Pha Lai dam (Con Cuong), Khe Co, Khe Kien (Tuong Duong), Mua waterfall, Liep waterfall (Thanh Chuong), Cao Veu river and stream area (Anh Son). However, the above locations always have the potential risk of drowning accidents.

In fact, in recent years, these tourist destinations have been the scene of several tragic drowning cases. Specifically, on the afternoon of April 27, 2024, a group of students residing in Linh Son Commune (Anh Son) went to Liep Waterfall, Thanh Son Commune (Thanh Chuong) to swim. While swimming, TBT (11th grade student, Anh Son 2 High School) unfortunately drowned.

In Que Phong district, the Sao Va waterfall and Bay Tang waterfall areas have also been the scene of frequent drowning accidents in recent years. On June 16, 2023, a tourist from Vinh City came to visit Sao Va waterfall (Tien Phong commune). While taking photos at the waterfall, he accidentally slipped and fell into a deep hole and died.

Present in Cao Veu area, Phuc Son commune (Anh Son), we noticed that the tourism atmosphere has started to become lively as summer begins. Many groups of tourists from neighboring districts flock to the hot spring bathing spots and set up camps for vacation.

Because this area is located in the buffer zone of Pu Mat National Forest and has the Giang River flowing through it, recently, a number of homestays, eco-tourism spots, and community tourism spots have appeared that are known to tourists from many places, such as the Vuc But beach eco-tourism area (Veu 4 village), Sung tree beach (Veu 1 village)...

Along with the joyful bustle is the constant concern about the safety of tourists when participating in bathing at community tourism spots. Mr. Phan Van Duc - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phuc Son Commune, shared: "The biggest difficulty now is the lack of rescue equipment. The commune cannot arrange for regular lifeguards at the streams like the way it organizes at swimming pools, where there is a fixed space and specialized human resources".

Tuong Duong district is a locality with many community tourism spots associated with streams, such as: Co stream tourist spot in Quang Phuc village, Tam Dinh commune; Vang Phot tourist spot, in Xoong Con village, Luu Kien commune; Xoi Voi waterfall (also known as Nha Vang waterfall), in Nhon Mai border commune; Cha Lap stream in Dooc Bua village, Tam Thai commune.

In Tam Thai commune, during hot days, Cha Lap stream becomes a tourist attraction that attracts many people to come to cool off and relax. However, according to Mr. Kha Duong Tuan - Vice Chairman of Tam Thai Commune People's Committee, people and tourists coming here mainly come spontaneously, not through tourism or travel agencies. Therefore, it is very difficult for local authorities to grasp the number, travel time, or organize forces to monitor.

Although local authorities have put up warning signs where people often go to bathe, because people often do not wear life jackets, and even go swimming after drinking alcohol, the fear of drowning is always present.

Need for synchronous coordination

It is known that in Nghe An, especially in the western mountainous districts, there are currently about 25 hamlets and villages doing community tourism. Most of these are associated with natural streams, waterfalls, etc.

Mr. Phan Van Duc - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phuc Son Commune, added: On May 12, the locality issued a plan to mobilize the whole population to practice swimming, prevent drowning accidents in 2025, and at the same time, organized the installation of warning signs along the banks of the Giang River, where there are places where people often go swimming. This work aims to promote the benefits and effects of practicing swimming, and safety skills in the water environment.

However, the important thing is also the participation and cooperation of the community and the entire political system. For example, organizing propaganda on injury prevention and control skills, first aid for drowning for people, rescue skills in case of drowning...

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In fact, in a drowning case, if a person knows how to swim but does not have rescue skills, it is very easy to drown when jumping in to save someone.

Mr. Phan Van Duc - Vice Chairman of People's Committee of Phuc Son Commune (Anh Son)

Many opinions also say that locations associated with waterfalls, streams, and creeks need to build a complete protection and insurance system, from warning signs, life buoys, etc. Along with that, it is necessary to arrange security forces to carry out on-site rescue missions. Schools and families also need to pay attention to managing their students and children, especially when going on vacation at tourist destinations...

Ms. Vi Thi Phuong Thao - Head of the Department of Culture, Science and Technology of Con Cuong district, said that in the area, community tourism and eco-tourism have been strongly developed with many attractive destinations such as Khe Kem waterfall, Pha Lai dam... However, due to being almost spontaneous, the arrangement of human resources to guard, warn and rescue drowning people is very difficult. Only on holidays, when there are many tourists, can the locality arrange people, but they are not properly trained in rescue.

Based on the above situation, on May 5, the People's Committee of Nghe An province issued Official Dispatch No. 12/CD-UBND on strengthening the work of preventing and combating drowning accidents in the province. The People's Committee of the province requested departments, branches, sectors and localities to deploy and implement the work of preventing and combating drowning accidents; periodically or suddenly, they must directly inspect routes, areas and locations with high risk of drowning accidents to promptly direct correction and remediation...

It can be seen that ecotourism and community tourism are the types of tourism that are developing strongly in Nghe An thanks to the richness of the ecosystem and natural waterfalls. However, in order for this type of tourism to attract a large number of tourists and become a major source of income for the economy, ensuring safety is a prerequisite and an essential part of the sustainable development strategy.