Spiritual tourist attraction flagged illegitimate

A spiritual tourist attraction project under construction in Lung Cu commune, Dong Van District, the northern province of Ha Giang was said to have encroached upon protected national heritage sites, as well as violating Vietnamese regulations on cultural heritage, stated the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on November 5.

The project is planned to include “Lung Cu cultural, spiritual and ecotourism area” as well as a sightseeing elevator meant to serve visitors to Don Cao ruins in Dong Van township.

Although Ha Giang Province officials previously denied both claims, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism stressed that the project would lay claim to protected areas around Lung Cu Flag Point and Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark.

Additionally, “spiritual tourism” is not a category listed in any official document related to construction zoning for tourism by the Prime Minister, which means the ongoing damage to local mountains are neither authorized nor included in national plans for touristic expansions.

Subsequently, Ha Giang’s People’s Committee was ordered to dismantle constructions for the elevator and take further actions to control or execute legal reinforcement upon agencies responsible.

Lung Cu Flag Point is a local landmark adjacent to treasured limestone peaks, while Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark was recognized by UNESCO as a member of the Global Geoparks Network.

Other news