Da Nang is now home to many new luxury seaside resorts and hotels offering high-end services.  They are ideal places for both domestic and foreign visitors to enjoy relaxing vacations.  However, as reported yesterday, this has resulted in the narrowing of public bathing areas and the blocking of public walkways to local beaches, causing difficulties for public access to the beach.

The Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Tran Chi Cuong, clarified that local hotels and resorts are not allowed to privatise any sections of the beach.  He suggested that the local authorities should open new public footpaths in order to allow local residents access to the beach.

A corner of the Olalani Resort and Condotel

The Deputy Head of the Management Board of the Son Tra Peninsula and local Tourism Beaches, Mr Nguyen Duc Vu, has suggested that the city leaders should make a long-term plan for designating specialised beaches for visitors.  In addition, there should be parking lots, shopping, eating and drinking and entertainment areas, and other facilities provided.

According to statistics released by the Department, last year the local tourism sector accounted for around 16% of the city’s gross domestic product (GDP), and the highest level was recorded in beach tourism.

Deputy Director Cuong stressed the need for local authorities to revoke the investment licences of seaside projects due to delays in their implementation, and to convert these sites into tourism support services.  A focus will also be on upgrading existing local bars, discotheques, and shopping and beach sports areas to make them more attractive for visitors.

The Deputy Head of the local Research Institute for Socio-Economic Development, Mr Nguyen Van Hung, said that there are now many 4 and 5-star resorts and hotels but very few 3-star ones along the beach.  He suggested that some of the land from cancelled luxury projects should be turned into 3-star hotels in order to serve middle-class tourists, which would help the city to attract more visitors.