Eo Gio ticket price causes controversy
In recent days, public opinion has been stirred up by the fact that Star Hanoi Real Estate Joint Stock Company - the unit managing and operating Eo Gio Tourist Area (Quy Nhon Dong ward) - ignored the direction of Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee on keeping the current entrance ticket price at 22,000 VND/turn, still collecting 40,000 VND/turn for entrance tickets.
This has faced many opposing opinions, and at the same time has caused no small number of people and tourists to be upset when they believe that the management unit has increased ticket prices while infrastructure, amenities and service quality at Eo Gio have not been invested and upgraded commensurately.
Lao Dong's records on the afternoon of June 23, despite the hot weather, the number of visitors to Eo Gio Tourist Area is still very large. At times, tourists have to queue in long lines in front of the ticket counter to wait to visit.
Right next to the ticket counter, the management unit placed a sign announcing the "Special Offer" program, a 20% discount on entrance tickets from June 22 to July 4, 2026.
When tourists and tour guides of tourist groups questioned the ticket price, the ticket counter staff said that the current price of 40,000 VND/trip is a 20% discount.
Ms. T.T. (a tourist from Hanoi) said that this is the 2nd time she and a group of friends have come to Quy Nhon for tourism during the summer. Eo Gio is still the chosen destination because of its beautiful pristine scenery and fresh air. However, what surprised her was that the ticket price increased almost double compared to the previous time, while the experience at the destination was almost unchanged.
Inside, it is still mainly sightseeing, sightseeing and taking photos. I don't see any new services or utilities commensurate with the increased price. Even some sections of railings have cracked and partially damaged, but tourists still sit up to take photos, posing a potential risk of unsafety.
I looked at news in the press and learned that the province had requested to keep the ticket price at 22,000 VND/passenger. However, when I arrived, I saw that tourists still had to buy tickets at a higher price," Ms. T. reflected.
One way to agree, one way to do
According to research, Eo Gio Tourist Area was previously managed and exploited by FLC Group Joint Stock Company. In 2022, this tourist area was handed over to the Provincial Economic Zone Management Board for management.
Based on the proposal of the Provincial Economic Zone Management Board, the Provincial People's Committee assigned the old Quy Nhon City People's Committee to receive, manage, operate and organize tourism activities at Eo Gio; temporarily collect entrance fees at 22,000 VND/visitor.
After arranging the administrative unit, Eo Gio is assigned to Quy Nhon Dong Ward People's Committee to receive, manage and organize activities to serve tourists.
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Tran Viet Quang - Chairman of Quy Nhon Dong Ward People's Committee - said that Star Hanoi Real Estate Joint Stock Company won the auction for the right to exploit and manage Eo Gio Tourist Area from June 1, 2026. Up to now, the enterprise has implemented a number of landscape renovation items, but the investment level is not significant.
According to Mr. Quang, immediately after the company announced the adjustment to increase ticket prices from 22,000 VND to 50,000 VND/trip from June 15, the locality, together with the Department of Finance and related units, worked and proposed that the company continue to apply the price of 22,000 VND/trip.
Although reminded, the management unit still maintains the increased price and only applies a 20% discount program," Mr. Quang informed.
Leaders of Quy Nhon Dong Ward People's Committee also said that increasing ticket prices when infrastructure, amenities and service quality have not been invested commensurately may create dissatisfaction among people, tourism businesses and tourists; affecting the competitiveness of destinations.
Eo Gio is a famous natural scenic spot, a public asset and a symbolic tourist destination. Therefore, the adjustment of ticket prices needs to be considered carefully, ensuring harmony of interests between the State, investors, people and tourists.
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Pham Van Thanh - Deputy Director of Gia Lai Provincial Department of Finance - said that at the working session on June 19 with relevant units, representatives of Star Hanoi Real Estate Joint Stock Company agreed to stop increasing ticket prices and continue to apply the price of 22,000 VND/trip.
However, it is unclear why the company still does not implement it, continuing to collect 40,000 VND/trip for tickets. The price increase while infrastructure and services at Eo Gio have not been invested commensurately will inevitably cause reactions from people and tourists," Mr. Thanh said.
According to Mr. Thanh, ticket price adjustments must be publicized, consulted with local authorities and create consensus. Meanwhile, businesses have self-adjusted ticket prices before fully implementing the necessary steps.
In response to public feedback, the Department of Finance will conduct inspections, clarify and take handling measures according to regulations.
