The project “Promoting Coral Reef Conservation Management in conjunction with Community-based Tourism Development and the Promotion of Coastal Village Cultural Values” implemented by the Provincial Women’s Union has contributed to protecting the coral reefs of Hon Yen while strengthening local tourism capacity, diversifying livelihoods and improving incomes for residents of O Loan Commune.

Buoys being installed around Hon Yen to demarcate protected areas.

Training courses covering management of the Hon Yen Community-based Tourism Cooperative, social media use, fanpage management, tour guide skills, food preparation, souvenir production and sustainable aquaculture have attracted hundreds of participants. Women accounted for between 65% coupled with more than 90% of trainees.

The project has also invested in tourism infrastructure and equipment, including repairs to the operational facilities of the Hon Yen Tourism Cooperative together with the provision of diving gear, life jackets, lifebuoys and other support equipment. The basket boat team of O Loan Commune has been standardised with 36 members, helping develop distinctive tourism offerings associated with the Hon Yen coastal village.

Mr. Duong Ngoc Du, a member of the Hon Yen Community-based Tourism Cooperative and the O Loan Commune basket boat team, said the project had helped local residents change their mindset as well as approach to tourism development. “Through the training courses, each member has come to understand that sustainable tourism requires preserving the landscape, protecting coral reefs and building a welcoming alongside professional image,” Mr. Du said.

A key feature of the project is its integration of marine ecosystem conservation with livelihood development. To date, O Loan Commune has issued regulations governing the management, protection and conservation of the Hon Yen coral reefs, while a system of buoys has been installed to demarcate protected areas. Communication activities have also been intensified, helping raise awareness among local residents and visitors of their responsibility for safeguarding marine resources.

Awareness of environmental protection and coral reef conservation at Hon Yen continuing to improve.

In addition, coastal village cultural values have been preserved and promoted through the continuation of the Nghinh Ong (Whale Worship) Festival along with the piloting of a community-based educational tourism model in collaboration with Phu Yen University.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Thai, Vice President of the Provincial Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee and President of the Provincial Women’s Union, the project's effectiveness is reflected not only in the infrastructure combined with equipment invested or the number of people trained, but, more importantly, in changes in awareness and the role of the community. Local residents, particularly women, are gradually becoming active participants in tourism management, activity organisation, service development alongside environmental protection.

In the coming period, the Women’s Union will continue coordinating with local authorities, cooperatives and relevant organisations to sustain as well as further develop the model. It will support residents in improving their management capacity, promotional activities and service quality while raising awareness of marine ecosystem conservation, with a view to replicating effective approaches.

Dr. Nguyen Khac Toan, Director of the Institute for Cadre Training and Scientific Research under the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, noted that the project activities had been implemented systematically alongside in line with the plan. Diverse communication activities had helped promote the image of Hon Yen and raise community awareness. Coordination had also improved, while infrastructure had been gradually upgraded, creating favourable conditions for community-based tourism development.

Translated by KHUONG THAO