Bich Dam: Starting sustainable tourism in Nha Trang!

Bich Dam: Starting sustainable tourism in Nha Trang!

Khanh Hoa Province in Vietnam presents exciting developments in tourism and environmental protection. In particular, the “Functional Zoning of the Bay of Nha Trang” is a central aspect of these initiatives. A particular focus is on the island of Hon Mun – Bich Dam, which is intended for the sustainable development of coral reefs and the improvement of the living conditions of the residents. The proposed zoning divides the mainland of Nha Trang city into six zones and the bay into four zones, with a total area of ​​26,490 hectares, of which 22,482 hectares are water surface and 4,008 hectares are island area. This reports vietnam.vn.

Strengthening community tourism is another key part of the plan to sustainably develop the region. Nha Trang Bay is home to 19 islands, including Bich Dam, which has about 228 households with around 880 residents. In addition to creating tourism offerings through local households offering private accommodation and authentic local meals to tourists, Bich Dam Women’s Association has been committed to promoting community tourism for a year. The goal is to establish Bich Dam as a recognized travel destination by 2025.

Challenges and solutions

However, the region also faces challenges, particularly from illegal fishing and plastic waste, which threaten both the environment and coral reefs. To counter these threats, it is necessary to involve local communities in protecting water resources. The development of a project that promotes green and sustainable community tourism in Bich Dam has already been approved. The aim is to establish 8-10 community tourism businesses by 2030 to attract 45,000 visitors annually, of which 40% will be international guests.

Bich Dam Community Tourism Management Board members are actively planning specialized teams to improve service. However, this also requires operational guidelines as well as tourism management training to ensure the quality of services. Dr. Nguyen Chu Hoi highlights Bich Dam's potential for sustainable use of marine resources and promoting community tourism.

Nha Trang: A city on the move

Nha Trang, located on the coast of the East Sea, will celebrate its 100th anniversary as a dynamic tourist destination in 2024. In recent years, the city made significant progress by achieving all 23 socio-economic goals for 2024, resulting in a strong increase in the tourism sector. Last year, Nha Trang welcomed about 7.95 million overnight guests, including 3.4 million international tourists. The overall tourism sector recorded revenue of an estimated VND38,300 billion, an increase of 58.88% year-on-year, it said baokhanhhoa.vn.

In line with the goals of sustainable development, the city plans to further expand its strengths in services and tourism. The aim is to establish Nha Trang as a leading destination in the region and become a centrally governed city by 2030. To this end, the city is investing in urban infrastructure and the construction of new rural areas. Measures to separate waste at the source and reduce single-use plastic are also being implemented to protect the environment and improve the cityscape.