HCM CITY — The chairman of HCM City’s People’s Committee has urged the city’s Cần Giờ District to promote the area as a sea tourism destination.

Nguyễn Thành Phong, who spoke with district authorities about socio-economic development targets in 2017, said the district had great potential, with 10km of coastline, 34 square kilometres of beach area, and mangrove rainforest.

Lê Minh Dũng, chairman of Cần Giờ District’s People’s Committee, said the district welcomed more than 1 million tourists last year, a surge of 54 per cent over the previous year. Tourism revenues reached VNĐ380 billion (US$16.72 million) last year.

This year the district hopes to receive 1.25 million visitors with tourism revenue of VNĐ500 billion ($22 million), he added.

Dũng has asked the city to order the Sài Gòn Water Company (Sawaco) to speed up progress of projects to supply clean water for the district as there is a shortage in some areas.

He also asked the city to send doctors from HCM City to work in the district on a rotational basis, especially after the 200-bed Cần Giờ General Hospital opens.

He said the move would help Cần Giờ ensure a sufficient supply of doctors as the district is facing a shortage of high-quality healthcare staff.

In addition, district authorities said they would like the Government to officially acknowledge Thạnh An Commune as an island commune. 

To address problems facing salt workers, Phong has asked district authorities to create favourable conditions for them or help them find another job.

Phong also urged the district to speed up the Cần Giờ General Hospital project.

The Cần Giờ mangrove forest of 31,000 hectares is home to more than 200 various species of wildlife and 150 species of flora. UNESCO recognised the wetlands as a world biosphere reserve in 2010. — VNS