Abundant potential for agricultural tourism

Cờ Đỏ District is home to 46 cooperatives, including 40 agricultural cooperatives featuring over 100 stable agrarian models. Many of these models are transitioning toward successful tourism integration.

For instance, Ms. Thảo’s Durian Garden in Thạnh Phước 2 Hamlet, Trung Thạnh Commune, has been blending agricultural production with tourism since 2017. Ms. Ngô Thị Thảo, the owner, shared: “Initially, we opened the garden to acquaintances. Word-of-mouth spread, and more visitors started coming. Previously, our income from fruit sales was unstable. Now, tourism adds another revenue stream, and selling fruits directly in the garden fetches better prices.”

Covering nearly 14,000m², Ms. Thảo’s Durian Garden includes 10,000m² of durian trees, 2,000m² of mangosteen, and other fruit varieties. Recently, she added over 100 apple trees on 2,000m² to cater to a broader range of visitors. A standout feature of her garden is its clean farming practices, where fruits are meticulously covered for safety. The durian grown here is also certified under the OCOP program.

A few kilometers away, Thiên Minh High-Tech Agricultural Cooperative (Thiên Minh Farm) in Thạnh Lộc Hamlet, Trung Thạnh Commune, is renowned for its high-quality melons. Mr. Đoàn Văn Du, Director of Thiên Minh Farm, stated, “Our farm spans about 1.5 hectares, using high-tech circular agricultural models. We dedicate 6,000m² to melons, harvesting 4–5 crops annually. Visitors can enjoy the experience of picking and tasting the fruit themselves during harvest season.” The farm also cultivates grapes and Chinese apples to meet diverse visitor interests.

Sông Hậu Farm, an ecological site in Hamlet 1, Thới Hưng Commune, has gained popularity despite being operational for just over a year. Spanning 14 hectares, the farm boasts 7 hectares of over 20 fruit varieties, an organic vegetable greenhouse, and year-round produce such as Ruby guava, dragon fruit, apples, star apples, and cocoa. Unique to this site is 2 hectares of cajeput and bamboo trees aimed at preserving the natural ecosystem and attracting wildlife. The remaining area features recreational facilities, including water-based games, folk activities, and a homestay.

During a recent survey of Cờ Đỏ’s tourism spots conducted by the Cần Thơ Tourism Development Center, Ms. Nguyễn Minh Thư, Head of Sales at Hải Âu Cần Thơ Hotel and Tourism Company, said: “Cờ Đỏ’s sites are ideal for themed and educational agricultural tourism. The variety of crops and agricultural models suit groups of experts, students, and researchers interested in agricultural activities in Cần Thơ and the Mekong Delta.”

Ms. Lê Thị Ngọc Trân, a sales and operations executive at Mekong Delta Adventure and Events Tourism Company, noted: “Cờ Đỏ’s gardens excel in specialized farming and offer spacious, tranquil settings for visitors. However, their suburban locations make these spots more suitable for local tourists, families, or small groups.”

Ms. Trần Thị Thùy Trang from Như Ý Travel added: “Compared to gardens in the city center, those in Cờ Đỏ boast larger areas, better farming efficiency, and open spaces, making them ideal for agricultural tourism. However, infrastructure and transportation remain challenges. Only vehicles with up to 16 seats can access these sites, making them inconvenient for large groups.”

Development Directions

Mr. Đặng Minh Thuận, a cultural and social officer in Trung Thạnh Commune, shared: “Cờ Đỏ District’s Party Committee has issued Resolution 03-NQ/HU on developing rural and agricultural tourism, leveraging the district's strengths in agricultural economics. Trung Thạnh Commune supports destinations like Chị Thảo Durian Garden, Thiên Minh Farm, and local specialties such as rice wine and rice cracker villages to promote tourism. The local Social Policy Bank provides loans for residents to invest in and expand agricultural tourism models. Additionally, we collaborate with travel companies to survey and establish tour routes.”

Ms. Nguyễn Kim Nhiên, Deputy Manager of Sông Hậu Farm, said: “Since its launch, Sông Hậu Farm has attracted visitors with its natural, self-sustaining agricultural experience. Following recent surveys and meetings with tour operators, we hope to build stronger connections and expand promotional efforts.”

Ms. Nguyễn Minh Thư from Hải Âu Cần Thơ also emphasized the compatibility of Cờ Đỏ’s agricultural models with thematic and educational tourism, signaling future collaborations with the surveyed destinations.

According to Ms. Đào Thị Thanh Thúy, Deputy Director of the Cần Thơ Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the city’s tourism sector is aligning with directives from the Party Committee and People’s Committee to promote agricultural tourism. “We’ve conducted surveys, provided guidance, and advised establishments on integrating agriculture with tourism. Cờ Đỏ offers significant potential for agricultural tourism, and destinations invest in developing unique products. These initiatives will help shape a roadmap for the city’s agricultural tourism development,” she concluded.