Entering the grounds of sprawling Vinpearl Cua Hoi, you can’t help but notice how environmentally friendly the compound is. It’s not just the electric carts that take you from a parking area into the resort proper. It’s the design of the place—the property is non-invasive. It blends passively, seamlessly with the natural landscape—as though it had risen from the ocean itself…

As Mai and I were quick to discover, sales and marketing representative Luu Thanh Tung, is just as unassuming and casual in his personal approach. We joined Tung on a large sofa in the resorts main lobby, which offered a spectacular view of the grounds, the pool and ocean.

Thirty-five-year-old Tung has a special connection to Cua Lo. He was born in Vinh City (14-miles away). He remembers spending every weekend of his youth on family outings in Cua Lo.

“The town has changed slowly; most noticeably with the addition of the new, direct road from Vinh. This has allowed travelers easier access to the beach and the community. An uptick in tourism has grown the local economy and development has become something of a boon. Private investors and large companies are investing and opening businesses. Vinpearl opened in 2017 and I’ve been here since the beginning.”  

Having worked for Vinpearl in the large tourist markets of Hanoi and Da Nang, Tung was thrilled when offered the opportunity to return to his roots.

“Cua Lo is a very special place—natural, relaxed, and the people reflect that vibe.” He paused. “And comparably speaking, it is extremely affordable for travelers.”

But if Cua Lo is cool, then Nghe An (the province) is sublime…

“There is so much that Nghe An has to offer visitors: lakes, waterfalls, national parks. You can visit the villages of the ethic communities, even homestay in traditional stilt dwellings. And, of course, you can visit the birthplace of Ho Chi Minh.”

{Writer’s Note: The Vietnamese fondly refer to Ho Chi Minh as Uncle Ho. I consider him the Vietnamese version of Abraham Lincoln}.

“There is so much nature to explore and culture to experience in our province. Cua Lo is a fantastic jump-off point for endless adventures.”

Always probing, Mai and I were keen to know about rumors of a magnificent cable operated, sky-lift which will allow access to the island of Dao Ngu. Tung smiled, not quite the smile he showed when he revealed he is about to become a father, but close…

“As you can see,” Tung said, pointing towards the sea. “The foundations and pylons are already in place. We expect the lift to be in operation by the Spring of 2023. We are also constructing a world-class waterpark. Which will open at the same time.”

Meeting Tung was a pleasure. He is a man with a genuinely vested interest in tourist friendly Cua Lo—a man with his finger on the pulse…