Lam Dong issues temporary rule on adventure tourism

Lam Dong Province has issued a temporary regulation governing adventure tourism activities, according to the Central Highlands province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

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Under this regulation, adventure tour operators must have international travel licenses and their adventure travel programs are approved by authorities. 

In addition, they must have necessary facilities and equipment, instructors with adventure tourism training certificates and rescuers on standby in dangerous areas.

Tour companies must provide sufficient information about adventure travel programs for visitors, warn them of potential dangers associated with these tours and purchase travel insurance for guests.

Organizers must also request travelers to provide personal information and sign physical fitness declarations at the start of the tour.

Guests must be provided with essential skills and fully equipped and must adhere to the guidance and supervision of instructors during a program. 

They would be responsible for any accidents if they provide false information about ages and health conditions or disregard the instructions given.

Those with a history of cardiovascular disease, hypertension and other diseases would be banned from adventure activities.

Hoang Ngoc Huy, director of the department, said adventure travel has been developing rapidly in the province while the Tourism Law has no clear definition of such type of travel and no relevant regulations.

In late February, two accidents occurred in Lam Dong with one at the Datanla waterfall in Dalat City and one at Bay Tang waterfall in Duc Trong District, killing a total of four foreign tourists.

The accidents exposed many problems with Lam Dong’s adventure tourism management as many tour organizers had not done enough to ensure safety for tourists and have not even bought insurance for travelers.   

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Controversial rule

 Vietnam family holiday - A controversy has erupted over the government of Thua Thien-Hue’s new rule that requires organizations and individuals to register for using the “Bun Bo Hue” (Hue-style beef noodle soup) brand name and selling the authentic noodle soup of the province no matter where they are located in the country.

The requirements for ingredients, cooking recipe, and food safety and hygiene are provided in a document signed by provincial vice chairman Phan Ngoc Tho on issuance of recognition certificates, management and use of brand name bun bo Hue, a specialty that originated in the central province. The Thua Thien-Hue Tourism Association has been assigned to manage the brand name and relevant issues.

Unsurprisingly the province’s regulation has drawn a lot of criticism. Particularly, the owners of eateries that sell the soup outside the province have voiced outcries over the rule, saying it is a kind of sub-license, so it is against the central Government’s effort to do away with business conditions. Some have argued that it will prevent the spicy beef noodle soup from being cooked to the diverse tastes of diners.

Tho has quickly responded to the criticism by saying that the dish has been sold by signature restaurants and street vendors and that its true flavor and quality have changed, so the rule is aimed at ensuring authentic bun bo Hue, protecting consumer rights and preserving the brand name.

Eateries in and outside Vietnam are exempt from registration if they do not want to use the logo, Tho told Tuoi Tre newspaper.

A number of provincial specialties have become national dishes like pho (noodle soup served with beef or chicken) and goi cuon (fresh spring rolls), to name just a few. Brand name registration for these dishes is a must to facilitate better protection and promotion but national brands need to be managed by a national-level agency, instead of a local organization, as there are issues that the province’s tourism association cannot solve in other localities such as quality management and food safety.  

If Thua Thien-Hue Province wants to bring authentic bun bo Hue to more diners, it should team up with a national-level agency to prepare a campaign to do the branding for the dish at home and abroad.

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