Sam Son: Aggressively Preparing for National Tourism Year 2015

Thanh Hoa has been proactive in the collaboration with the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) and other provinces involved to build a national tourism year programme, then organise a national tourism year plan which was reported to the Ministry since 2011. The first preparation step in this process is reviewing the planning of tourist destinations and focusing on building these tourist destinations. The first thing is related to the overall planning of Ho dynasty, followed by the planning of Ham Rong heritage area, which has been approved by the government and being implemented. The third is the planning approved by the province such as Cam Luong fish stream, Sam Son, Ba Trieu temple. In general, the approval of tourist destinations has basically been doing effectively. The second step in the national tourism year process is the construction investment of projects serving national tourism year. A mini version of Lam Kinh sanctum has been under construction and expected to complete before the Lunar New Year 2015. The Lam Son theater of Thanh Hoa City will be completed in October this year. The provincial Exhibition and Convention Centre and the provincial library is expected to put into use in March, 2015. And a temple dedicated to the Vietnamese heroic mothers and martyrs was completed in July 2014.

 

In addition, the province has focused on consolidating and strengthening institutions, improving management capacity in tourist destinations, including the most notable one - Sam Son. The past two years witnessed many positive changes.

 

 We have coordinated with VNAT and businesses to form some new tourism products such as traveling up and down Ma river associated with the exploitation of destinations along the Ma River from Sam Son to fish stream Cam Luong as well as exploiting intangible cultural heritages of the people living on both sides of the Ma river.

 

Following directions of the State, the town has issued strict written documents on prices. The town has also added solutions to strengthen the management in tourism regions under the tourism law.

 

All legal documents related to business services are common to every wards and entire people. Besides, price lists are public in accommodations as well as restaurants. The province regularly raises people’s awareness in the implementation of price policies on radio speakers at the beach and in town. If the situation continues, the hotline management department will inspect and have strict sanctions. Those units or restaurants where do not obey regulations will not be licensed in the coming years. At the same time, the town also handled violations in accordance with provisions of the State on the issue of price overcharging, for example, punishing VND10 million for 10 percent price increase, VND20 million for 20 percent price increase. So far, the province handled hundreds of violations.

 

In general, the price overcharging situation has thoroughly controlled; prices remained stable. This work was totally supported by people and businesses and brought good results, creating a healthy tourism business environment.

 

 Thanh Hoa province and Sam Son town have many plans to ensure order and security, such as management plans for passenger transport, solving traffic congestion, ensuring security on the beach, anti-theft. In terms of organisation, there are 10 security teams on the beach, coordinating with police forces, border guards, and civil defense forces 24/24 hours. By this time, the issue of security and order, traffic safety is well performed without major problems. Theft, robbery, social evils are basically solved.

 

Soliciting tourists mainly happened by hawkers, street children, in restaurants and hotels. Up to now, this situation has gradually ended. There are few special cases only. This negative phenomenon happened due to tough economic lives a few years ago as Sam Son travel was entirely derived from supply and demand; people were seeking jobs and the state was looking for management method to solve social, cultural and economic problems. But until now, there must have mandatory measures, namely propagandizing, signing agreements and explaining. All of these destinations, as prescribed by law, are not available for street vendors, so the whole political system with the key role of women association had propagandized and explained for women to understand and agree to sign the commission. Sam Son Town also had policies for families with difficulties, supporting them so children do not have to sell goods on streets. The province also provides books, clothes to children in difficulties and free tuition fee for them.