LookAtVietnam – A surge in construction is raising the alarm in the pristine mountain resort town of Da Lat.

Da Lat City. (Photo: evitco)

What is the best land in Da Lat?

The green areas such as the pine forests and hills. We are always proud of Da Lat for being “the city inside the forest” and tourists like Da Lat for this reason.

Pine forests are however steadily disappearing as construction works increase. Over the next few years construction of a resort near Tuyen Lam lake and Mimosa and Prenn mountain passes, will replace more pine forests.

This is the first time ever that pine forests and hills are being destroyed to make way for property developments.

How did this situation come about?

The biggest reason is that urbanisation did not follow a plan.

Trade, agriculture and tourism development belong to common plan but the same has not been true for property development. For example, the local government recently regulated building height and banned construction work in certain areas although construction of high buildings has continued unabated.

What are your suggestions for rescuing Da Lat tourism?

It is important to remember that tourism in Da Lat was developed on natural beauty which the French understood very well.

The French also understood how to create a culture of tourism. For example, they named the streets after flowers and cared for the pine forests and lakes. I think we could learn something from this respect for nature.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News