Removing Bottlenecks to Unlock Tuyen Lam Lake’s Potential
Hundreds of hectares of prime land at Tuyen Lam National Tourism Area have remained tied up for nearly two decades. The situation is not merely about delayed projects, but also reflects long-standing institutional shortcomings that have resulted in wasted opportunities and resources.
Wasted Resources
Positioned as a resort destination in Da Lat, Tuyen Lam National Tourism Area has significant potential for development. However, behind that potential lies a troubling reality: numerous tourism projects have fallen behind schedule. A recent conclusion by the provincial Inspectorate identified institutional bottlenecks and their economic consequences as factors constraining the area's development potential.
A typical example is the five-star hotel, high-end resort and ecotourism project invested in by Gia Tue - Lam Dong Tourism Investment and Development Joint Stock Company. In 2009, the company was allocated 190.08 hectares for the project, including 164.49 hectares of forest land, with expectations that it would create a breakthrough in resort infrastructure. Yet after 17 years and three extensions, the project remains unfinished.
Similarly, several other projects have fallen behind schedule, with unfinished construction later suspended or abandoned. This has resulted in the waste of land resources within the national tourism area. According to a report by the Tuyen Lam National Tourism Area Management Board, only 16 of the 33 projects that remain valid are operational, while the other 17 are behind schedule and awaiting review and resolution.
From the perspective of economic management and construction investment, the situation cannot be attributed entirely to investors' capacity. It also stems from shortcomings in planning and appraisal. Inconsistencies among land-use, forestry and construction plans over different periods have created legal barriers. The policy of closing natural forests, together with provisions of the Forestry Law, has created obstacles for covered structures on protection forest land, preventing site clearance from being completed.
As an investor in the tourism area, Tran Minh Tam said his company's project is facing several issues related to land allocation and site clearance that have yet to be resolved. He said the company was encouraged by news that the province is finalizing the master plan for the tourism area through 2050 to address legal bottlenecks and provide a basis for businesses to resume investment and rebuild their projects. The company hopes the new plan will soon be completed and officially issued.
Restructuring the Area with a Vision to 2050
Recognizing the challenges, the provincial People's Committee has directed the Department of Construction to comprehensively review Decision No. 1968/QD-UBND, apply transitional mechanisms or adjust detailed plans to ensure legal consistency and balance the interests of relevant parties. At the same time, cadastral data will be standardized to recover outstanding financial obligations, while land will be decisively reclaimed from projects whose investors deliberately violate regulations or are no longer capable of implementation.
In parallel, the province is focusing on completing the construction master plan for Tuyen Lam National Tourism Area through 2050, covering 2,944 hectares. During a recent field inspection, Y Thanh Ha Nie Kdam, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, stressed: “The new plan must be worthy of the area's stature, comprehensive and in harmony with nature, while serving as a strong legal instrument to definitively address outstanding projects.”
With a vision toward 2050, Tuyen Lam National Tourism Area is expected to restructure its spatial development rather than expand indiscriminately, following a green, sustainable and high-quality model. Land recovered from underperforming projects will be integrated into shared infrastructure, with priority given to ecotourism, resort tourism, sports and cultural experiences.
Resolving delayed projects thoroughly is a prerequisite for clearing the way for infrastructure development and preparing the area to attract high-quality investment. Once legal bottlenecks are removed, Tuyen Lam Lake can reaffirm its position as a leading ecotourism destination and make a stronger contribution to the province's overall development.
According to the Tuyen Lam National Tourism Area Management Board, only 16 of the 33 projects that remain valid are currently operational, while 17 projects are behind schedule and awaiting review and resolution.