Developing community tourism associated with protecting the marine environment

The fishermen in this small fishing village have become tour guides, actively promoting the beauty of their homeland, contributing to the preservation of Hon Yen National Monument and protecting the ocean through the community tourism model.

A new day in Hon Yen begins when the sun has yet to rise above the sea, when fishermen's boats begin to return after a long night of squid fishing and netting. The basket boats are brought ashore, carrying countless gifts from the sea. After being meticulously cleaned by the fishermen, equipped with life jackets, seats, and handrails, these basket boats continue to accompany the fishermen to take tourists to visit and explore the coral reefs and fishing village life in Hon Yen.

Local fishermen take tourists around Hon Yen complex by basket boat.

Mr. Dinh Phung Hoang, a fisherman who has been attached to Hon Yen sea for more than 30 years, said: “For a long time, people here have relied on the sea to make a living, from catching seafood along the coast, then developing the profession of raising lobsters and snails. Since Hon Yen was recognized as a national scenic spot, the number of tourists visiting Hon Yen has increased, so we fishermen have started to practice switching to tourism. Up to now, I have more than 3 years of experience in this profession.”

In April 2018, Hon Yen complex was recognized as a national scenic spot. The locality has established the Hon Yen Community Tourism Cooperative Group to both manage and protect the coral reef aquatic resources and exploit the unique tourism strengths of Hon Yen scenic spot.

Initially, the Cooperative had 12 members, mainly commune and village officials. Seeing the effectiveness of the model, many local households proactively registered to participate. Currently, the locality has established the Hon Yen Tourism Cooperative with 45 members, who are local fishermen. Mr. Dinh Van Duoc, a member of the Hon Yen Tourism Cooperative, said: “Thanks to participating in training courses, we have learned how to speak in front of large groups, how to introduce local history and marine ecology in a natural and easy-to-understand way. Tourists coming to Hon Yen, in addition to enjoying the national landscape, can also experience diving, fishing, identifying fish species and listening to fishermen share stories about their marine livelihoods…”.

The Hon Yen coral reef complex includes Hon Yen, Hon Dun, Ban Than, Ganh Yen, Hon Choi, Vung Choi, creating a natural masterpiece by the sea. In addition, the community tourism model led by local fishermen has helped visitors have extremely interesting experiences when coming to this coastal village. Ms. Ho Tu Linh, a tourist from Hanoi , expressed: “The coral diving trip guided by the fishermen helped me clearly feel the connection between them and the sea. They remember the name of each rock, each cluster of coral, each fish and talk about the sea as a living entity. Thereby helping tourists like me understand and love the sea more”.

Every year, the tourist season in Hon Yen usually starts from March to the end of August of the lunar calendar. On average, during the season, Hon Yen welcomes about 300 - 500 visitors per day. The fishermen who participate in tourism here also have a decent source of income from their new job - tour guide.

What is special about Hon Yen is that in the early or late summer months, when the tide is low, a path opens across the sea connecting Hon Yen - Hon Dun and revealing a coral reef right before your eyes. Previously, tourists walked to experience, causing many coral reefs and many aquatic species to be destroyed. Since the tourism community in Hon Yen was formed, instead of walking, tourists are taken by fishermen in basket boats, weaving through the creeks to see the landscape and snorkeling to see the coral. Mr. Nguyen Tan Long, a fisherman who guides tourists here, said that every time he takes tourists diving or rowing, the fishing guides often remind them not to touch the coral, explaining to them that the coral reef is very fragile, is home to small fish and needs to be protected.

Tourists are guided by fishermen to dive and see coral.

In addition, the problem of waste on the coast and around the coral reefs of Hon Yen is also gradually being solved thanks to the development of community tourism in the locality. Mr. Truong Tan Lai, Deputy Secretary of the Party Cell, Head of Nhon Hoi Village said: Hon Yen is like the navel of the sea in this area, so almost all types of waste around are washed away and washed up on Hon Yen. Therefore, cleaning the coast and collecting waste around Hon Yen must be done regularly. Previously, the locality often mobilized young people, women... in the village to participate in cleaning the coast in batches, but it could not be completely solved because new amounts of waste continuously washed up.

Since the community tourism model was formed and developed, fishermen participating in community tourism have become the core force in marine environmental protection activities. Every morning, before taking tourists or in the afternoon after the tourists have left, they collect garbage together and pull it ashore, picking up plastic bottles and nylon bags stuck in corals or drifting on the water surface. On calm days, basket boats become volunteer “patrol boats”, weaving through the waterways to pick up every piece of garbage, ensuring the diving area is always clean and safe. Fishermen also proactively remind tourists not to litter or touch the corals. “We consider it a daily task, because keeping the sea clean is also keeping our livelihood,” said Mr. Long.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/du-lich/202508/phat-trien-du-lich-cong-dong-gan-voi-bao-ve-moi-truong-bien-8ed0f7e/