VietNamNet Bridge - The implementation of a series of projects on the beach dunes near Hoi An will create challenges for Hoi An in its path for sustainable development.

In March 2008, after getting the nod from the Quang Nam provincial People’s Committee, Gami Hoi An JSC started the construction of Gami Hoi An, an ecotourism village.

However, after building a short concrete embankment section, the investor unexpectedly stopped the construction.

In 2015, the provincial authorities, after many times urging the investor to continue the project, decided to revoke the license. However, in 2016, they allowed the investor to resume the project implementation. 

Gami Hoi An, capitalized at $43 million, covers an area of 11.3 hectares. Located about 400 meters from Hoi An ancient town, the project is expected to comprise tourism service works and a 16,000 square meter multi-functional conference center, capable of serving 800-950 guests, a 5-star hotel with 200 rooms, commercial areas, high-end villa areas, a marina and greenery items.

While the investor and the local authorities pin high hopes on the project, fans of Hoi An do not think the project would be a good thing to the ancient town.

Nguyen Su, former secretary of the Hoi An City Party Committee, commented that the provincial authorities ignored current regulations when allowing the investor to build works with a height of up to 16.5 meters, or three meters higher than the maximum allowed level of 13.5 meters.

According to Su, the Hoi An authorities have issued a regulation on the management, conservation and use of the Hoi An ancient town’s relics, defining the area allowed to be upgraded. 

The regulation stipulates that the maximum height of construction works is 10-13.5 meters, except some ‘extremely important works’.

“The regulation on heritage conservation has been ignored,” he said. “I don’t think this is an extremely important work. The local authorities must not let a project affect the entire living space of Hoi An”.

Su went on to say that islets are a special feature of Hoi An, the city located in the picturesque Hoai River and Thu Bon River valley. The islets in Hoi An are also a buffer zone which link the world’s Cu Lao Cham Biosphere Reserve recognized by UNESCO.

“During the development process, if rivers ‘die’ and islets are replaced with concrete works or high-rise buildings, the future of Hoi An will be damaged,” he warned.

Chu Manh Trinh, an expert of Cu Lao Cham Biosphere Reserve, also noted that the islets in Hoi An need to be exploited in a reasonable way to ensure sustainable development.

Thanh Mai