The Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s largest producer and exporter of food, aquatic products and fruits, is stepping up agricultural economy linked with tourism development. Regional localities are leveraging their agricultural strengths to create distinctive experience tourism products, adding vibrancy to the region’s tourism palette.
While visitors to the region have engaged in various agriculture-based tourism activities, many products have yet to fully showcase their unique features, falling short of providing tourists with comprehensive experiences that blend local history, culture, entertainment, resort facilities, and cuisine.
Ecolotus Vietnam Co., Ltd. in My Tho town, Cao Lanh district, Dong Thap province, has successfully developed a lotus drying technology that transforms lotus into a new material for handcraft products. (Photo: VNA)
To increase both agricultural product value and tourism products from key industries, the region needs innovative approaches in developing attractive products and services for visitors.
From farm produce to typical tourism products
Known as the bread basket of Vietnam that supplies both domestic and international markets, the region boasts agricultural prowess that has spawned a new identity – a destination with unique agriculture-based tourism experiences.
According to Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Dong Thap province Huynh Thi Hoai Thu, a wide range of products have been created with the local pink lotus and ornamental flower brands.
Several products made of Dong Thap lotus (Photo: VNA)
Besides developing its night-time economy, Sa Dec city has leveraged its traditional craft villages, from ornamental plants to flour production, to establish itself as an attractive tourist destination in the province, she said.
The Sa Dec flower village has been a role model of how to capitalise on local advantages with the development of a traditional flower capital into an agritourism hub, attracting large numbers of visitors.
Established in the late 19th century, the village is home to lush flower gardens and ornamental plants, which have been important to the province’s distinguished agri-tourism.
There are 72 agri-tourism spots that allow visitors to get first-hand experiences of farm work and traditional crafts and taste fresh fruits and other agricultural products as well as local specialities.
Dong Thap is implementing a tourism development plan for 2023-2025, with a vision until 2030, focusing on strengthening its “pure as lotus soul” tourism brand for a more profound appeal.
The first Sa Dec Flower – Ornamental Festival 2023 themed “Love of Land – Love of Flowers” takes place in Dong Thap province from December 30, 2023 to January 5, 2024. (Photo: VNA)
An art programme kicks off the first Sa Dec Flower – Ornamental Festival. (Photo: VNA)
In Ben Tre province, the land of coconut, local people have capitalised on their coconut industry and transformed it into a tourism asset.
Director of C2T communications and tourism company Vo Van Phong said that local standout products include eco-tourism in coconut groves on islets, cultural experiences with local residents, and tours to coconut processing facilities.
An ecological area on Bao islet, Ba Tri district, Ben Tre province, has attracted visitors. (Photo: VNA)
Ben Tre province’s ecotourism has been attractive to visitors. (Photo: VNA)
Meanwhile, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Tra Vinh province Duong Hoang Sum said the locality offers distinctive experiences combining historical sites, eco-tourism, and unique coconut-based culinary traditions to visitors.
Increasing better experiences for tourists
Experts emphasised that agricultural tourism must go beyond mere observation. Professor Phan Thi Thu Hien at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities under the Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City suggested Dong Thap tap into its lotus growing sector to build tourism offerings.
Sa Dec flowers for the upcoming Tet holiday (Photo: VNA)
The 800-hectare Tra Su forest in An Giang province is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Mekong Delta region. (Photo: VNA)
Experiencing “A day as a fisherman” at Tram Chim National Park in Dong Thap province (Photo: VNA)
Dong Thap could develop a lotus-themed park featuring rare lotus varieties from around the world. Each tourist site should incorporate lotus culture to build signature tours such as lotus-based spiritual tourism and lotus heritage tourism.
Professor Phan Thi Thu Hien
Meanwhile, Dr. Pham Van Luan at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Culture suggested Ben Tre develop experience tourism products that delve deeper into the coconut tree’s symbolic significance, exploring its role in local history, culture, customs practice and belief.
Visitors enjoy Ben Tre coconut at Hai Van ecotourism site. (Photo: VNA)
To effectively develop tourism based on key agricultural products, experts emphasised the need to strengthen connections and combine various products to create unique experiences for visitors. The move would help improve the value of local farm produce while popularising cultural characteristics, including the lifestyle, spiritual belief and traditional crafts.
Tours to the Mekong Delta’s orchards allure visitors. (Photo: VNA)
Boasting a network of canals, immense rice fields and fruit orchards, the Mekong Delta region has become a favourite destination for foreign visitors. (Photo: VNA)
Highlighting the connectivity initiative, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu said that the city is working with 13 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta region to launch an attractive destination voting programme themed “Elevating Destinations – Connecting Journeys”. The campaign is aimed at forging links between destinations and leverage local strengths in agriculture, ecotourism and culture./.
