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The town of Sa Pa, a hidden paradise nestled amidst the clouds and majestic mountains of Northern Vietnam, has long been a dream destination for both domestic and international tourists. It's not only captivating with its pristine natural beauty and year-round cool climate, but also with its unique architectural structures, villages rich in cultural identity, and novel photo spots that attract young people. Among them, the Infinity Garden has emerged as a phenomenon, a top "Instagrammable spot," where stunning images are created, capturing unforgettable moments for visitors.
However, behind its glamour and irresistible charm, the Infinity Garden faces issues related to construction regulations, posing a significant challenge for urban and tourism management in Sa Pa.
The demolition of the Infinity Garden, once considered the top spot for Instagrammable photos in Northern Vietnam, is underway.
After a period of persistent enforcement of administrative penalties, coupled with open and frank dialogue between the Sa Pa town authorities and the homeowner, a significant turning point has recently occurred: the owner has agreed to demolish the permanent structure of the Infinity Garden – a restaurant complex combined with an infinity pool. This is considered a positive move, demonstrating the investor's sense of responsibility and also showing the local government's determination to rectify violations, aiming for a sustainable and compliant tourism environment.
This place used to be famous and attracted tourists from both within and outside the country.
According to a local resident living near the Infinity Garden, this tourist attraction was established and operational before 2021. With its well-planned and large-scale investment, the Infinity Garden is not simply a sightseeing spot but also a diverse service complex, including a luxurious restaurant with panoramic views of the majestic natural landscape, a unique infinity pool creating an impressive visual effect, a tranquil and refined Japanese garden, and countless meticulously designed miniature landscapes, becoming the ideal backdrop for thousands of "check-in" photos that garner millions of likes. In addition, the accompanying food and beverage services further enrich the visitor experience.
The permanent structure, a restaurant combined with an infinity pool at the aforementioned location, has been demolished with the owner's consent.
At its peak, Infinity Garden witnessed a large influx of visitors, both domestic and international. With an entrance fee of 200,000 VND per person, it remained bustling with people, especially on weekends, with visitor numbers reaching thousands daily. This strong attraction contributed significantly to the vibrancy of the Sa Pa tourism market, creating jobs for local people and generating substantial income.
When it first opened, this tourist attraction drew many domestic and international visitors who came to visit and take photos, with an entrance fee of 200,000 VND per person.
However, "the fragrant flower quickly fades." Around the beginning of 2021, during a routine inspection, the People's Committee of Cau May Ward discovered serious violations in the construction and land use at Infinity Garden. Specifically, the homeowner had arbitrarily changed the land use purpose to build a permanent structure – a restaurant combined with an infinity pool – violating regulations on land management and construction order. Immediately afterward, the authorities drew up an administrative violation report, requiring the homeowner to rectify the consequences and comply with the law.
Even on weekends, Infinity Garden welcomes thousands of visitors per day.
Following administrative procedures and dialogues and negotiations between local authorities and the homeowner, an agreement was finally reached. The homeowner's acceptance of the demolition of the permanent structure is a significant step, demonstrating cooperation and respect for the law. This is not just a story about an illegal construction being dealt with, but also a profound lesson about the importance of complying with legal regulations in the process of tourism investment and development.
In light of developments related to the Infinity Garden, the leaders of Sa Pa town have affirmed their determination to strengthen the management of tourism investment projects and multi-purpose land use in the area in the coming time. In particular, the 2024 Land Law has opened up new avenues, allowing for multi-purpose land use, including the use of agricultural land for tourism development. This presents both opportunities and new challenges in management, requiring stricter, more transparent, and more effective measures from the local government.
The fact that Infinity Garden agreed to demolish the illegally constructed building can be seen as an end to a period of spontaneous, unplanned tourism development in some areas. It also serves as a strong reminder of the necessity of complying with the law and ensuring a harmonious balance between economic development and the preservation of Sa Pa's unique natural and cultural landscapes. In the future, with strict management and a sustainable development orientation, Sa Pa promises to continue being an attractive destination, not only for its inherent beauty but also for its professionalism and civility in tourism activities. The story of Infinity Garden will perhaps be a significant milestone and a valuable lesson in the development of Sa Pa tourism.
