The cable car system which connects Bac Giang Province to Yen Tu Mountain in Quang Ninh Province will operate next year despite concerns over the negative impact on cultural sites and the environment.

Thuong Pagoda is being built at the height of 1,000 metres above the sea level.

The VND305bn (USD13.4m) Tay Yen Tu Spiritual and Ecological Tourism Complex project was started in April. 

The complex includes four pagodas located from 145 metres to 1,000 metres above sea level. 

It will be connected to Dong Pagoda at the top of Yen Tu Mountain by a cable car system.

The final station for the 2-km cable car system is being completed 700 metres away from Dong Pagoda. 

Pilgrims can walk or reach the top with the cable cars which will be opened for the Yen Tu Festival 2018 held on the 10th day of the first lunar month and lasts for three months

Last year, Quang Ninh provincial authorities approved the plan to build two more cable car routes to Yen Tu Mountain alongside the existing two. 

About two million people visit Yen Tu Mountain each year and 40% of them used the cable car system. During the Yen Tu Festival, about 20,000 visitors go to the site daily.

Many people have expressed worries about the influx of visitors, the activities on the site as well as safety for tourists. 

Dong Pagoda is small, surrounded by cliffs and weak barriers.

Dong Pagoda, as well as many other attractions in Vietnam, haven't had visitor load factor assessed. 

As the result, there is no comprehensive plan to preserve and promote the attractions.

Nguyen Anh Tu, chairman of Uong Bi City, said they had thought about the surge of visitors and would have solutions for the problem. 

However, they have to wait for directives from Bac Giang and Quang Ninh provincial authorities about linking the western and eastern side of Yen Tu Mountain.

dtinews