Following recent instructions from the Prime Minister, the Da Nang authorities are currently re-checking carefully all the projects planned for the Son Tra Peninsula.  A report will be submitted to the Prime Minister by 30 August.

Chairman Tho addressing the press conference

This news was released by municipal People’s Committee Chairman Huynh Duc Tho at a press conference on Tuesday to review the city’s performance over the first half of this year.

There have been many differing public opinions expressed recently about the national government-approved master plan for developing the national-level Son Tra tourism area towards 2025 with a vision to 2030.  Some have suggested that the peninsula should be kept unchanged rather than construct more accommodation establishments over future years.  Alternatively, others have highlighted the importance of effectively exploiting the natural resources of the peninsula through the effective implementation of tourism projects, rather than keeping it unchanged.

Chairman Tho affirmed the city’s firm stance on ensuring harmony between conserving the diversified ecosystem on the peninsula and its natural landscapes, and fully tapping the peninsula’s great potential for the sake of local socio-economic progress.

An aerial view of the Son Tra peninsula

Prior to the Prime Minister’s intervention, the city authorities had given the go-ahead for 25 projects, 18 of which involved tourism.  Several projects have already been completed and put into use, and others are currently under construction.  Work has yet to start on a 77ha project, but it’s investors have already paid for all the land purchases. Also, 800ha of land on the peninsula have been leased to businesses, and another 500ha have been earmarked for tree plantations.

Chairman Tho also noted that, if the city has to take back the already-sold or leased land, it must either seek suitable construction sites for the affected projects in other local locations, or pay compensation for them at the market price. 

The city leader underlined that the city is aiming to reduce the number of planning projects on the peninsula and therefore decrease the number of rooms originally planned.

The city authorities will continue to collect more constructive opinions about the master plan from domestic scientists and experts in a bid to give the public an objective insight into this issue. 

Chairman Tho also asked media agencies to report about this matter in a positive and objective spirit. 

Chairman Tho vowed that the city authorities would never place expanding the economy ahead of protecting the environment.