Quang Ngai (VNA) – Both residents and visitors to Ly Son Island in the central provinceof Quang Ngai are concerned about a construction boom that can destroy theunique natural landscape on the island.

The island isbecoming an attractive destination for domestic and foreign visitors, resultingin high demand for accommodations and other services.

According to thePeople’s Committee of Ly Son Island District in the central province of Quang Ngai,about 45,000 tourists came here in 2015, spending 546 billion VND (nearly 24.5million USD).

It is expectedthat the number of tourists will reach 80,000 by 2020, bringing 1,200 billionVND (53.8 million USD) to the island.

Hundreds ofrestaurants and hotels were built or are under construction with differingarchitectural styles.

Tran Hoang, alocal resident in An Vinh Commune, said that ten years ago the island was verywild, with spectacular natural scenery.

But beginningover two years ago, the landscape has been gradually destroyed by unplannedbuildings.

"Thefragmented tourism development is worsening the natural landscape. Manycultivated areas are being turned into construction land for tourism,"Hoang added.

Further, bars,restaurants and hotels have been illegally built in the centre of the island atfamous tourist spots, such as in Hang Cau, Hang Co, and Cong To Vo.

After holidays,the island is scarred by rubbish.

The provincialDepartment of Culture, Sports and Tourism has reported the situation to theprovincial authority.

The report notedthat the lack of direction on massive building has negatively affected theisland, particularly the environment and beautiful beaches.

Huynh Thi PhuongHoa, deputy director of the department, told the Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper thatpoor supervision by local authorities caused the problems, though the provincehas approved an overall plan for tourism on the island.

To solve thisproblem, provincial inspection teams are to examine land management andconstruction, which were reported to have affected the landscape of the entireisland.

Further, casesof using planned tourism land for other purposes would be strictly dealt with,according to the provincial party committee.

The committeehas also directed local authorities to review and temporarily stop carrying outtourism projects that are not funded by the State budget, to wait for morespecific plans, said Le Minh Huan, head of the office of the provincialPeople’s Committee.

Relevantagencies were also required to review and propose plans to adjust constructionprojects, aiming to ensure the well-being of the ecosystem and naturallandscape.

“The prolongedsituation will risk breaking the well-endowed natural landscape of the islandin the future,” Tran Van Minh, Deputy Secretary of provincial Party Committeesaid.

Ly Son district lies 18 nauticalmiles off the Vietnamese coast and covers an area of 10 square kilometres. Itincludes three communes: An Hai, An Vinh and An Binh.      

The island district has apopulation of approximately 2,100. The majority of residents earn a living fromfishing and farming garlic and spring onion.     

Ly Son is striving to become amaritime economic centre by 2025, with a focus on tourism and aquaculture.              

Archaeologists found relics ofSa Huynh culture on the island, which date back to 3,000 years ago. Starting inthe 16th century, a number of ethnic groups migrated to Ly Son from themainland and have inhabited the island ever since.                            

The island boasts numerousforms of intangible cultural heritage, such as traditional boat races and theHoang Sa Soldier Feast and Commemoration Festival, which was recognised as partof the national cultural heritage in April, 2013. In the past, during theNguyen Dynasty, the festival was organised to choose the healthiest men for ateam of Hoang Sa soldiers.

The festival, which has been held for more than 300 years, is organisedbetween the fourth and eighth day of the Lunar New Year.-VNA