Change of operating unit, ticket prices increase suddenly
This has caused no small number of people and tourists to react, expressing frustration because they believe that the management unit arbitrarily increased ticket prices when the infrastructure, amenities and service quality at Eo Gio have not been invested and upgraded commensurately.
Lao Dong's records in the last days of June show that 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 questioned the ticket price, the ticket counter staff said that the current price of 40,000 VND/trip is a 20% discount.
Ms. Ngoc M. (a tourist from Hanoi) said that this is the 2nd time she and her family 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. Seeing news in the press, I learned that the province has requested to keep the ticket price at 22,000 VND/passenger, but when they arrive, passengers still have to buy tickets at a higher price," Ms. Ngoc Minh reflected.
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. After that, it continued to be handed over to the local government for management, operation, and organization of tourism activities; temporarily collecting entrance fees at 22,000 VND/visitor.
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. Up to now, the enterprise has implemented a number of landscape embellishment items, but the investment level is not significant.
According to Mr. Quang, immediately after the company announced an increase in 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 said.
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.
Will check, find a solution
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 be difficult to avoid reactions from people and tourists.
According to Mr. Thanh, the law does not require businesses to ask for permission from local authorities before adjusting ticket prices. However, the price increase must ensure publicity, transparency, consulting local authorities and creating consensus. Meanwhile, businesses have increased ticket prices themselves without 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.
