Study models of agricultural tourism

The working group of Can Tho Municipal Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism visited Tay Ninh province in May 2024 to study agricultural tourism models. Tay Ninh is focusing on developing ecotourism linked with agriculture. Various locations such as Ba Den Farm, Ba Phong Mulberry Garden, and custard apple agricultural cooperatives are being developed to combine agricultural cultivation with tourism. The owners of these establishments and gardens are aiming for VietGAP or organic farming certifications, with a focus on sustainable development.

Ba Phong Mulberry Garden, located in Tan Hung commune, Tan Chau district, Tay Ninh province, follows the organic agricultural tourism model based on Japanese standards. Nguyen Thanh Vu, the owner, is an agricultural engineer who has extensive experience in organic agriculture in Japan. Upon returning home, he converted his former rubber plantation into an organic garden. He spent two years improving the soil and cultivating trees using organic methods, creating a conducive environment for microorganisms in the soil and utilizing agricultural waste as fertilizer. Intercropping of mulberry trees with coconut and durian helps create a harmonious environment for plant growth while minimizing insect attacks. The organic approach has resulted in healthy plants with natural resistance to pests, providing a consistent yield. The garden now boasts over 1,000 mulberry trees, yielding an average of about 80kg per day. Visitors to the garden can partake in activities such as touring the garden, taking photos, learning about the organic mulberry growing process, picking mulberry, and enjoying syrup or mulberry jam. Nguyen Thanh Vu sees the combination of agriculture and tourism as a way to reap double profits and promote sustainable values. He believes that visitors coming to experience this model will gain an understanding of organic agriculture and its associated values, subsequently boosting the reputation of local agricultural products and contributing to the effective promotion of the region's brand. Additionally, he highlights the health benefits of organic agriculture.

Nguyen The Ngoc, Director of Ngan Long Home & Camp, stated, "By exchanging and learning from experiences at Ba Phong mulberry garden, I have developed a strong interest in their organic agriculture model. We can apply this model to our garden, learn how to create organic fertilizer and utilize microorganisms to enhance soil quality. At Ngan Long Home & Camp, we are committed to promoting green tourism and pursuing sustainable practices that are beneficial for both health and the environment. Therefore, the opportunity to visit and study models like this is incredibly valuable to us."

Can Tho focuses on promoting the development of agricultural tourism

Can Tho has a total agricultural land area of 114,034 hectares. This includes 76,000 hectares of rice production, 25,000 hectares of fruit trees (with 11,880 hectares dedicated to specialized farming), and 10,000 hectares of aquaculture. These resources give Can Tho a significant advantage in developing agricultural tourism.

Deputy Director of Can Tho Municipal Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Dao Thi Thanh Thuy stated: “Leveraging our orchards and existing eco-tourism, Can Tho is focusing on the development of agricultural tourism, especially sustainable green tourism. Our city's tourism industry regularly organizes trips to study successful models and practices in various localities. This allows owners of establishments and garden sites to access and learn about different agricultural tourism models. This information helps us to choose suitable solutions to apply in practical models in Can Tho." Previously, Can Tho has organized numerous trips to learn about agricultural and ecological tourism experiences in Dong Nai and Lam Dong. The selected models all emphasize organic, green, and natural agriculture, focusing on combining agriculture with diverse tourism products and services. Gardeners in Co Do and Phong Dien are also learning organic methods to apply them in their fruit gardens for healthy and high-yield produce.

Agricultural tourism for sustainable development is a priority for Can Tho City's tourism sector. The city is currently working on a project called "Developing Agricultural Tourism in Can Tho City in the 2021-2025 period, with a vision to 2030”. The local tourism industry is consulting on a resolution with specific development plans for agricultural tourism. Deputy Director of Can Tho Municipal Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Dao Thi Thanh Thuy explained: "We are implementing various programs to promote agricultural tourism development and are contributing to policy building to support farmers, and gardeners involved in both agriculture and tourism. This will help in creating motivation for developing new and higher-quality products."