A corner of Cu Lao Cham Island

Under the central city of Danang’s plan for waterway tourism services during the 2019-2021 period, the city wants to open eight routes, including Han River-Cu Lao Cham Island tour.

The tour will start from Han River or Thuan Phuoc Bridge to Cu Lao Cham Island and vice versa.

Nguyen Van Son, vice chairman of Hoi An City in the central province of Quang Nam said that Danang needs to discuss with Quang Nam about the plan.

Cu Lao Cham is a biosphere reserve, so the two localities have to work on the tour to this, Son said, adding that Danang should not decide it by itself. The two sides need to agree on the tour operation as well as its services.

According to Son, the new tour would further pressure the island which would fail to meet tourist expectations about food and refreshments.

Under Hoi An authorities’ instruction, Cu Lao Cham Island is allowed to receive 3,000 visitors maximally per day.

The Han River-Cu Lao Cham tour has also caused controversy on the social network. Some people disagreed with Hoi An, saying that the locality should be flexible on this. They also took the example of tours from other provinces, including Soc Trang, to Con Dao in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau as an example.

However, other people said that Danang should work with Quang Nam Province and Hoi An City on the tour. It should be conducted following the consensus from Quang Nam, which is among joint efforts to protect Cu Lam Cham environment.

Many people suggested that Hoi An should increase tour prices to Cu Lao Cham to improve its tourism services. Dtinews