Many resorts have been built in coastal districts of the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, hinder public views and access to the sea.

Along the national highway running along Lang Co Town in Phu Loc District, the centre of resorts in the province, we could not find a road running to Lang Co Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Dunes around the beach also discourage visitors

Many tourists who stay at the small hotels and guesthouses opposite the sea often spend hours searching for a road with access. Failing in finding one, many just return to their hotels.

Pham Duc Tuan, owner of Quynh Lien Hotel near Lang Co Beach, said, “Many visitors who stay at my hotel want to swim or sunbathe at Lang Co Beach, but they do not know how to get there. We show them shortcuts through resorts, but they feel uncomfortable, asking why there is no an public path. We’ve lost a lot of money due to people who do not return."

Tran Van Giang, Chairman of the Lang Co Town People’s Committee, said the province has licensed many resorts situated next to one another along Lang Co Beach. In addition, the natural dunes block the way. Only luxury hotels right on the beach have easy access. Between 2004 and 2008, the city granted land to 12 resort projects along Lang Co Beach, obstructing roads leading to the sea.

The only way to see the beach for other visitors is to go through these resorts, but they are often banned, or have to pay a fee.

The district is preparing for the construction of a 150-metre public road scheduled to open this summer, according to Giang. He added that, in the second quarter, another road of 265 metres long, linking Lang Co Border Post to the sea will also be built, noting three roads are need building along the 10-km beach.

Fishermen also find it hard to go to the sea

Fishermen in Phu Thuan Commune, Phu Vang District, are also complaining about a resort project by Vinconstec JSC, which is an obstacle between them and their livelihood. The resort occupies nearly 10ha, accounting for 1.4km out of the 4-km coastline of Phu Thuan Beach. It is now in the site clearance stage .

Nguyen Long, a local resident, said, “We are very happy to see economic development in our community, but the project’s investor is not building a road for us to use. I think at least two roads should be built. We used to have three.”

Phan Thi Xuan, the commune’s Party Secretary, said that two areas have been reserved for fishermen at the two sides of the resort, but the investor is not building them because of concerns it may affect the design of the resort.

She also revealed that another resort will be built near Phu Thuan Beach, which is likely to occupy half of the coastline.

Le E, a fisherman, worried that even if the two areas are built, it won’t be enough for around 300 boats of the locals, explaining that most of them live far from the designated areas, so they would not be able to protect equipment in case of bad weather.

Huynh Quang Tuyen, People’s Committee Chairman of Phu Thuan Commune, agreed, saying that with a 1.5-km length of the resort, the fishermen must carry nets and other fishing equipment to the sea. The commune authorities have proposed opening one or two roads for them.

Some give up after trying to find beach access

The only way to the sea is through private resorts

The new road is expected to be completed this summer

The famous beach of Lang Co is difficult to get to

Thuan An Beach in Phu Vang District is always crowded

Many fishermen in Phu Thuan opposed the project

Resort project by Vinconstec JSC accounts for nearly half of Phu Thuan Beach\'s length

Le E showing the 1-km road the fishermen would use to carry their equipment