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The incident in which four South Korean tourists were swept away and killed by floods while visiting the Cu Lan Village tourist area (Lac Duong, Lam Dong) has caused public concern in recent days. On the morning of October 25th, the tourist area temporarily suspended operations to investigate the cause of the accident.
The incident not only highlights existing problems in adventure tourism management but also demonstrates the need to find ways to promote the development of this promising sector. The question is: How can we simultaneously develop, ensure safety, and impress tourists with adventure tourism destinations in Vietnam?
Adventure experiences attract tourists.
Cù Lần Village is located at the foot of Lang Biang Mountain, more than 20 km from Da Lat. The Cù Lần Village tourist area opened in 2011. It is an attractive tourist destination, drawing many visitors to explore the pristine nature, experience camping in the forest, horseback riding, archery, fishing, and experience the local culture.
Mr. Huynh Minh Hoang (Ho Chi Minh City) and his family, including his wife and two children, experienced a UAZ vehicle tour to Cu Lan Village in August 2020. He said: “This is an interesting tourism product. I have participated in many adventurous activities in Paris, California... as well as many domestic destinations, but riding a jeep through water and across streams in Cu Lan is the most exciting, enjoyable, and memorable experience.”
According to the male tourist, the most appealing aspect of this activity is the feeling of connection and immersion in nature. The journey through the forest, across streams, and over challenging terrain provides a genuine and enjoyable experience for participants. Mr. Hoang believes this is a unique experience not easily found in Da Lat in particular and Lam Dong in general.
Tourists on UAZ vehicle tours in Cu Lan Village, Lam Dong Province, are not provided with protective gear. Photo: Tourist area.
The UAZ vehicle tour to Cu Lan Village currently costs 150,000 VND per person per trip, with each vehicle carrying a minimum of four people. However, this activity also carries many risks such as vehicle breakdowns, loss of control, especially in bad weather, such as rainstorms, floods, and muddy conditions, posing a danger to participating tourists.
Mr. Hoang recounted: “Before joining the tour, I read the information and researched the route. I saw that this product was operating legally, the streams weren't too deep, the water was only 20-30 cm high, and the weather was sunny and favorable, so I decided to bring my family along.”
However, after the recent accident at this tourist area, Mr. Hoang felt a little apprehensive when reviewing the family photos. He said that there were no safety equipment on the bus, and tourists were not reminded to wear seat belts.
According to Mr. Hoang, tourist areas need better safety measures, including a disaster and natural phenomenon warning system to proactively handle any situation. In addition, tour vehicles need to be regularly inspected and maintained. Drivers in tourist areas need professional and systematic training, with a focus on rescue skills and handling emergency situations.
"In addition, each tourist should also be instructed on escape skills before participating in the tour," Mr. Hoang commented.
The advice for tourists is to do thorough research and choose reputable travel companies and tour operators. Professional companies specializing in adventure tourism will have strict safety regulations; provide protective gear and support equipment; guide and train tourists in handling emergencies; and warn of natural disasters and dangers.
Management is facing difficulties.
Adventure tourism is a new type of tourism, and Vietnam does not yet have clear regulations on its operation; regulations are currently only in place for extreme sports, according to the Vietnam Institute for Tourism Development Research.
For example, adventure sports tourism in Da Lat in particular and Lam Dong in general has been operating for many years. Lam Dong is the first locality to have adventure sports tourism activities, and the state agency has officially been involved in managing it for about 10 years. However, it wasn't until 2022 that the Lam Dong - Da Lat Adventure Sports Tourism Association was established, marking the birth of an official organization to link, cooperate, continue to maintain and expand the characteristic adventure sports tourism destinations of Lam Dong; and carry out promotion and advertising…
In fact, adventure tourism should be recognized as a field with great potential, and its development should not be restricted or discouraged because of accidents, according to a tourism expert.
To avoid unfortunate accidents, authorities need to develop and enact common legal regulations on adventure tourism development nationwide. This will take time, so local governments in areas with development potential need to conduct surveys, assessments, and replan adventure tourism destinations.
At the same time, based on practical experience, regulations and guidelines should be issued regarding the management and organization of adventure tourism services, establishing regulations for tourists participating in these types of adventure tourism. This will provide adventure tourism businesses with a basis for guiding customers to comply with safety regulations when participating in adventure tourism.
On October 25th, following the accident involving four South Korean tourists at the Cu Lan Village tourist area, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism requested the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee to direct relevant agencies and units to promptly implement measures to address the consequences of the incident in accordance with regulations. They were also asked to review and inspect security and safety measures in tourism activities at tourist areas and destinations in the province, especially for adventure tourism products; and to direct tourism service businesses to comply with regulations on ensuring tourist safety to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
In addition, the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee needs to strengthen state management of tourism, especially regarding the organization of adventure tourism programs. It should inspect, monitor, promptly detect, and strictly handle organizations and individuals that do not meet the conditions for conducting tourism services.
Most recently, on October 26th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism requested the People's Committees of provinces and cities to direct the Departments of Tourism and the Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism to take the lead in coordinating with relevant agencies to strengthen destination management.
Specifically, strengthening supervision and rectification will focus on: compliance with regulations on business conditions for travel services; ensuring standards for technical infrastructure and quality of tourist accommodation services according to recognized star ratings; and ensuring security and safety for tourists, as well as environmental hygiene at tourist areas and destinations.
