International newspapers praise the way Cu Lao Cham people do sustainable tourism

While Hoi An is under pressure from the tourism boom, Cu Lao Cham has handled the challenges of preserving its identity and natural ecosystem well, according to SCMP. The ancient wooden houses in Hoi An have given the town a UNESCO-recognized heritage, making it an attractive destination for Asian tourists, with millions visiting each year.

The river boats have become a signature feature of Hoi An. But complaints will start to appear when tourism starts to overwhelm. According to SCMP , the town's population is just 120,000, while it is estimated that more than 4 million tourists come here every year. Artisans and craftsmen are overwhelmed by souvenir businesses. The number of visitors is expected to increase in the coming time. Cu Lao Cham, a cluster of islands located in Hoi An, is also facing similar challenges. If the island's natural ecosystem is to be preserved, the number of visitors and tourism activities must be strictly managed. Cu Lao Cham was also recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve in 2009, forming part of a route connecting pristine beaches, coral diving spots and homestays with Hoi An on the mainland. There are 277 species of coral, 250 species of fish, crustaceans and 97 types of mollusks living around the island. British filmmaker Tom Fawthrop calls it a “conservation miracle” by the locals. The natural ecosystem is still preserved thanks to the cooperation of the locals. They clean the sea, avoid plastic pollution and avoid overfishing in the waters around the island.

Hoi An still retains its wild, natural beauty. Photo: Hoang Bin

"It was not easy to get fishermen to agree to stop fishing in the reef and accept sustainable fishing areas," environmental scientist Le Ngoc Thao, director of the Marine Protected Area (MPA) on Cu Lao Cham Island, told SCMP , a Hong Kong daily. "We had to convince people that they could earn much better if they took tourists diving to see a pristine reef teeming with fish." Many fishermen agreed and adapted to using their boats to carry tourists. This allowed the MPA to protect the reefs, which are facing the global threat of warming waters. The island is the only place in Vietnam to promote a plastic-free policy and the "3R" programs: reduce, reuse and recycle since 2011, and has been fighting overfishing for decades. Thanks to strict regulations to prevent over-harvesting of land crabs on the island, crab numbers have increased by 75%. To counter the downsides of mass tourism, visitor numbers are capped at 3,000 per day. Gradually, conservation efforts and a cautious approach to tourism have paid off. Fish populations have increased, and local perceptions have changed, making this one of the cleanest islands in Vietnam.

Coral viewing tourism has attracted more than 400,000 tourists/year to Cu Lao Cham. Photo: Nguyen Linh

As for Hoi An city, a management plan has been put in place to protect the heritage site from the dangers of flooding and over-construction. However, many projects are contributing to the changes in the city, including the flattening of sand dunes along the river to build amusement parks. In recent years, traditional basket boat trips on the Thu Bon River have increased, accompanied by loud music that disturbs the tranquility of the area. Boat owners have responded, and local tour operators have equipped their basket boats with portable sound systems to serve the needs of tourists, increasing their income. "We campaign against loud music," added Ms. Le Ngoc Thao. MPA has previously done this in November 2023, when the Quang Nam provincial government banned karaoke singing in the Bay Mau mangrove forest and tourist areas near Hoi An, in order to limit noise pollution. Change is the double-edged sword of modern tourism. “Despite all the changes, I still love Hoi An… and we need tourists to come here,” said Cao Huyen, a tour guide. “I think the solution is to keep some autonomy… and not let it be swallowed up by the commercial values of mass tourism.”

Laodong.vn

Source: https://dulich.laodong.vn/tin-tuc/bao-quoc-te-khen-cach-nguoi-dan-cu-lao-cham-lam-du-lich-ben-vung-1345783.html