Developing Cu Lao Cham to be worthy of a national tourist area

(Chinhphu.vn) - In the middle of the deep blue sea, about 19 km east of Hoi An ancient town, Tan Hiep island commune - Cu Lao Cham is considered a precious gem in the middle of the ocean. With a complex of 8 large and small islands and a rich ecosystem, this place converges the potential for economic development associated with ecological conservation, cultural preservation and sustainable tourism development.

Cu Lao Cham is a destination that attracts many domestic and international tourists - Photo: VGP/NA

Preserve and promote the valuable ecosystem and unique culture of the island commune

Tan Hiep Island Commune - Cu Lao Cham ( Da Nang City) with 8 large and small islands (Hon Lao, Hon Dai, Hon Mo, Hon Kho Me, Hon Kho Con, Hon La, Hon Tai, Hon Ong) has a total area of ​​15 km2, the current population of the whole commune is 2,600 people.

The 14th Congress of Tan Hiep Commune Party Committee, term 2025-2030, held in early July 2025, determined to develop Tan Hiep island commune strongly, comprehensively and synchronously in the direction of ecology - culture - tourism .

According to Mr. Le Moi, Secretary of the Tan Hiep Commune Party Committee, the integration of the three elements of ecology - culture - tourism is not a random step, but a continuation of a long process of awareness and action. Culture and ecology are not only valuable assets, but also the foundation for economic development, improving people's lives and ensuring the longevity of indigenous values.

Cu Lao Cham is one of the rare islands in Vietnam that still retains a dense natural vegetation, along with a rich marine and forest ecosystem. This is the only biosphere reserve in the world that has a connection between the sea, islands, forests, estuaries, mangrove areas and the world cultural heritage - the ancient town of Hoi An.

A preserved and conserved coral area in the sea of ​​Cu Lao Cham

Not stopping at natural landscapes, Cu Lao Cham is also a place to preserve long-standing cultural values: fishing, weaving hammocks from parasol trees, making fish sauce, making gai leaf cakes, exploiting bird's nests... The people here have lived with their jobs, preserving cultural identity, sincerity, simplicity and hospitality that create a special tourism brand.

Developing tourism in Cu Lao Cham is not simply about exploiting the landscape to attract visitors, but about creating a sustainable tourism ecosystem, based on the principles of conservation - community - experience. In which, the people are considered the "center" and also the main beneficiaries of tourism. Many traditional occupations of the island commune are being revived from a tourism perspective: Tourists can visit the fishing village, learn to weave hammocks, make gai leaf cakes, make fish sauce, explore the parasol forest, visit the bird's nest exploitation profession...

Along with that, develop island commune tourism in the direction of in-depth experiences: Green resorts, high-class island tourism, health care from seaweed products, scuba diving to see coral, exploring bird's nest caves, art creation, sea sports; enhance tourism events such as "Cu Lao Cham - red corn season" or "Cu Lao Night", not only creating media highlights, but also promoting local consumption. Continue to maintain the movement "Say no to plastic bags" to protect the living environment and orient sustainable green development.

People participate in collecting waste, contributing to building Cu Lao Cham into a green, clean, and beautiful destination - Photo: VGP/NA

Let the people control the 'game'

The Secretary of the Tan Hiep Commune Party Committee said that community tourism is the core model in Cu Lao Cham, built on the foundation of the people being the owners, accompanying and benefiting from tourism. They are not only the hosts and servers, but also the storytellers and the soul of each tourism experience.

People can organize their own home-stay services, catering, transportation, tour guides, selling local specialties and handicrafts. The friendliness, hospitality and rich local knowledge are advantages that cannot be replaced by any modern tourism service.

However, to make the community truly the center, the leaders of Tan Hiep island commune said they will strengthen training, tourism skills training, capital and legal support, provide market information and connect with professional tourism businesses. Create favorable conditions for the community to participate in the planning process and monitor the implementation of planning, tourism development policies - community services. From there, the community will preserve and cherish the heritage left by their ancestors, join hands and create more unique tourism products.

The aim of these plans is to integrate tourists into the lives of the locals, so that they stay for many days to experience and interact with the local residents; they spend many times for affordable but quality services; they will return many times to enjoy and harvest the products they make themselves.

In addition to tourism, the locality will continue to develop a sustainable marine economy, encourage fishermen to invest in large-capacity boats, and organize production in groups and teams to go offshore. Promote aquaculture, processing and consumption of seafood associated with protecting aquatic resources. Combine economic exploitation with participation in protecting security and sovereignty of the sea.

Local authorities and communities participate in the sea turtle restoration project in Cu Lao Cham - Photo: VGP/NA

Completion of master plan for development of Tan Hiep island commune

Mr. Le Moi also said that according to Decision No. 509/QD-TTg dated June 13, 2024 of the Prime Minister approving the "Tourism system planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045", the South Central Coast region has 17 potential locations to develop into National Tourist Areas; including Ba Na, Son Tra and Cu Lao Cham in Da Nang city. These are great premises and opportunities for Tan Hiep island commune - Cu Lao Cham.

"To realize the above goal, the most urgent and important solution now is to complete the approval of the master plan for the development of Tan Hiep island commune and specialized plans on transportation, technology, tourism, ecological conservation, architecture, residents, and development of island cultural space...

From there, choose investment options, decide on specific mechanisms to build and develop Cu Lao Cham into a 'prosperous, attractive, livable' island commune, a national tourist area with the brand name 'Legendary Green Island'. Investing in a safe waterway system, domestic water supply system, healthcare, waste treatment... is an urgent requirement for Cu Lao Cham to become a safe, friendly and modern destination", the Secretary of the Tan Hiep Commune Party Committee emphasized.

Nhat Anh

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/phat-trien-cu-lao-cham-xung-tam-khu-du-lich-cua-quoc-gia-102250928085005562.htm