The People’s Committee of An Giang Province on Wednesday gave the go-ahead for homestay owners to continue operating their businesses on Cam (Forbidden) Mountain, an emerging tourist destination in the province located in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam.

The meeting followed concerns that rampant, unchecked construction could negatively impact the local way of life.

Pham Thanh Nhon, chairman of Tinh Bien District, home to Cam Mountain, reported at Wednesday’s meeting that seven businesses currently operating unapproved homestays on the mountain.

An additional 572 families have built houses on forested land without government approval and 78 illegal worship facilities also operate on the mountain, according to Nhon.

Countering worries about the negative impacts that the homestays might have on the local community, the management board of the Cam Mountain tourist site, which covers a total area of about 1,000 hectares on the mountain, said that homestay tourism is trendy and a major draw for visitors.

The management board, therefore, proposed that the homestays be allowed to continue operating.

Concluding the meeting, Tran Anh Thu, deputy chairman of the People’s Committee of An Giang, approved the Cam Mountain tourist site management board’s proposal, though he required homestay owners to ensure that their facilities meet regulatory requirements.

Though the homestays are allowed to remain in operation, all other illegal constructions, including the 572 illegally-built houses and 78 illegally-built workshop facilities, must be relocated.

The deputy chairman also tasked the People’s Committee of Tinh Bien District with collaborating with the provincial construction department to create a development plan for Cam Mountain.

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