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"Cua Lap's elder citizen, Mrs. Khuong Thi Ho, 87, is seen talking with the developer's son in front of her home. Mrs. Ho's sons live near her and are fisherman. She is a collector and seller of treasures that wash ashore. Living with in 100 meters of the water, she tells us that in 27 years her home has not once been flooded."

"These are the first two of 28 private homes now on the site. All residents are itinerate farmers or fishermen who have been meeting and consulting with for the developer for the past 6 years to help smooth the way for eventual land clearance. While this is often a stumbling block in projects that don't make the same effort, we expect different results."

Many of these photos are by Hans Kemp, who has done many of the photography on the Viatemese Venture Group Site.

Into the Future....

"The 21st century is about to arrive. It will fall upon some of us. With its arrival will come great change to the people of Cua Lap. Hindered, as well as hidden, for all time from development, the area lacks any paved road closer than 2 km away.

"Here we show you the current state of the roadway to the Cua Lap Resort. This four lane Highway 51C connects Vung Tau City with Ba Ria City on Highway 51. The road bed is nearly complete and asphalt will be laid before long.

"This roadway brings the Cua Lap Resort to a booming reality. It will also bring a much hoped for benefit to the people of Cua Lap, far above their historic and still current subsistence-level living.

"The first and third photos were taken by Hans Kemp as the rain season showed signs of coming to its expected end."

"The first scene shows the entrance to site from the roadbed of the new Highway 51C that runs from Ba Ria south to Vung Tau City. This four-land new road links down-town Vung Tau to the now renovated Highway 51 that runs north to Bien Hoa. To the left and in the background of Photo 1, and to the right of Photo 4 (where there are now shrimp ponds), will be the Fishing Village."

"The second picture was taken ten months earlier. It shows the cloudless blue skies more typical of the region, and the Highway 51C roadbed a few months before construction was halted. The hills of Long Hai are in the distance."

"The third photo shows the view south along the roadbed of Highway 51C in the direction of Vung Tau City, 12 km distant. Pavement will be completed by the State at State expense when the Cua Lap Investors come forward to develop the site."

"The fourth photo taken in October 2000 shows the road bed nearly completed and most drain lines buried. Asphalt is scheduled to be laid in the region of Ba Ria City early next year and the entire length to the Cua Lap Resort by the end of 2001."

From Vietnam Venture Group: The People of Cua Lap

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