Viet Nam News ĐÀ LẠT – A lonely pine tree on a hillside in the Central Highlands province of Lâm Đồng that become a tourist hotspot is no longer free to visit, a change that has drawn criticism from tourists and locals alike. At the beginning of the Lunar New Year, the managing board of Bidoup-Núi Bà National Park, in co-ordination with LAAN Company, set up a ticket booth to charge people who want to get close to the famous tree in Lát Commune, Lạc Dương District. The tree is located by Đan Ka-Suối Vàng Lake. From the tree, tourists can see the magnificent Lang Biang Mountain and look down on the lake below. Tourists are now charged VNĐ40,000 (US$1.70) per adult and VNĐ20,000 per child. They will take cars provided by the park management board up the 2km forest path from the ticket booth to the tree. According to Lạc Dương District Police, many vehicles transferring tourists from the ticket booth to the tree do not meet safety standards. “This is an eco tour to explore the wild nature but risks are high,” said Nguyễn Văn Hưng, a local tour guide. “Ticket sellers should provide guides to tourists or support them when required. They sell tickets but don’t provide any guides. If there is an accident, who will rescue the tourists?” According to Nguyễn Lương Minh, deputy director of the park, the area around the pine tree belongs to the Đan Kia-Đà Lạt National Tourism Site, which is managed… [Read full story]
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