The Mekong Delta, which is the country’s largest agricultural production area, has great potential to develop ecotourism. It has been listed among the best destinations to visit in 2019 by the US travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler.

Gac (spiny gourd) fruit, which has special health benefits, grows in Thach Thao Garden in Tien Giang province’s My Tho City.

The delta attracts millions of visitors each year thanks to its cultural diversity, natural beauty and a large range of tourism products. In many localities in the delta, organizations and individuals have begun to pour more investment in agri-tourism models. The models help to both preserve traditional culture and increase farmers’ incomes.

Pham Van Hoang, 54, owner of Chin Hong Fruit Garden in Phong Dien district’s My Khanh commune in Can Tho city, said he grows star fruit, mango, rambutan, coconut and guava on 1.8ha.

The garden started opening to serve visitors as an agri-tourism model in August 2016. Tickets are 30,000 VND (1.3 USD) per person. Visitors can pick fruit to eat while relaxing later in the garden. “Visitors usually buy more fruits to bring home,” he said.

David Forrest, a French tourist, said he saw fruits that were never available in Europe. “This place was very interesting to visit. I’m going to visit rice fields to understand how farmers grow rice,” he said.

Hoang said that the eco-tourism model had helped him increase his income and expand production. He earns a profit of about 400 million VND (17,245 USD) each year, with revenue from tourism accounting for 70 percent of the total.

The garden welcomes about 130-150 domestic and foreign visitors daily, and up to 200 visitors on weekends and holidays. Popular traditional dishes can be prepared to visitors’ orders with accompanying drinks served in the garden. Hoang plans to open a homestay service in the near future to meet the demand of visitors.

Cao Van Hoa, deputy director of Tien Giang province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the most profitable model was agri-tourism, which contributes to sustainable agricultural development.

Among these, durian trees are one of the key fruits with more than 12,000ha. Other fruits grown in the area are blue dragon, pineapple, mango, grapefruit, star apple and many others.

Combining agricultural production with tourism, farmers can raise their incomes by two to three times compared to the production and consumption of agricultural products, Hoa said.

Tran Anh Tuan, 58, owner of Thach Thao Garden in Tien Giang province’s My Tho city, said when he had noticed the growing desire of tourists to explore nature and agricultural products, he switched from growing vegetables, oranges and lemons, which are not economically efficient, to gac (Momordica cochinchinensis) fruit and many kinds of flowers.

In recent years, the city has helped farmers and artisans develop fruit gardens and traditional craft villages to enhance eco-tourism combined with agriculture, he said.

However, the services and products are still basic and on a small- to medium-sized scale. Many locals and provinces offer similar products.

Brand promotion and the use of information technologies are also needed. To achieve sustainable development, authorities in the Mekong Delta should strive for improved efficiency, On said.

Each locality in the region should improve connections between farmers, travel agents, local authorities, and agencies that represent tourism, agriculture, and trading activities.

Suoi Mo – famous destination in Tay Yen Tu

(BGO) – Vuc Mo (Mo Canyon) is the old name for the whole complex of Suoi Mo (Mo Spring) landscape and relic site located at the present Nghia Phuong commune, Luc Nam district, Bac Giang province. 

 

CNN suggests Hoi An city as Valentine destination this year

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, look no further than Vietnam’s Hoi An city for the perfect romantic getaway.

 

Attractive destinations on spiritual road

(BGO) – Owning transport and geological advantages, the northern province of Bac Giang converges three traits of delta, middle and mountainous area. Particularly, the highland of Son Dong district is well-known for its spectacular ranges of mountain, charming landscapes with numerous natural waterfall and primitive forests …which are the potentials for tourism development. 

 

Luc Nam: Impressive destination on journey to Tay Yen Tu

(BGO)- In response to the Launching Ceremony of the Spring Festival and Culture- Tourism Week  2019 themed “Discovering the holy land Tay Yen Tu” of Bac Giang province, Luc Nam district is preparing for the event with many new and interesting contents. Nguyen Duc Toan, Permanent Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Luc Nam district, Head of the organization board for the festivals of the district provides readers with more details on this issue.

 

HCM City among world's top cultural destinations for 2019

Vietnam’s southern city Ho Chi Minh City has claimed a place on UK travel website Culture Trip’s list of the 12 best cities for culture in the world in 2019.

 

Source: VNS/VNA