Phong Dien-Can Tho Ecotourism Festival 2022 is an annual event organized by Phong Dien District People's Committee in collaboration with the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The festival which is part of activities celebrating World Tourism Day on September 27th attracts 60 display booths of 10 units of provinces and cities. The event aims to promote eco-tourism; introduce local specialties and tourism products; recreate the typical cultural features of the southwestern region; create opportunities for businesses to connect and cooperate.

The highlight of this year's festival is the participation of many provinces and cities across the country, such as Long An, Bac Lieu, Binh Duong, An Giang, Hau Giang, Vinh Long, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Binh Phuoc, Soc Trang… There are also many booths promoting OCOP products from these provinces. Tran Thi My Hien, a tourist in Ho Chi Minh City, said: “Many typical specialties from provinces and cities appear at the Festival. Walking around, I can see and learn more about many typical features of provinces across the country. This is truly a useful experience. Dang Thi Hong Thi, a tourist in Ho Chi Minh City, said: “The products introduced here are very special. This time, I not only learn that Phong Dien has Ha Chau Burmese grapes but also honey orange, durian, seedless lemon... In addition, other localities also displayed and introduced many unique products, such as clean pepper in Binh Phuoc, Dak Lak coffee, and Long An moringa tea.

The products at this year's Festival are diverse and typical but still have the characteristics of each locality. Moreover, they also focus on natural elements, such as herbal teas, products made from honey, or ingredients such as purple sweet potato, and grapefruit peel. Mr. Le Thanh Tung, Head of Culture and Information Department of Phong Dien district, said: “This year, we added 20 more booths promoting tourism and prod, mainly OCOP products, local and environmentally friendly products”.

The floral arrangement and fruit carving contest attracted a large number of visitors. This year, the competition converged 12 teams from communes and towns of Phong Dien district. The typical fruit products of Phong Dien, such as Ha Chau Burmese grape, honey orange, seedless lemon, and durian ... are meticulously carved into very unique shapes. Nguyen Trung Kien, a tourist in Ninh Kieu district, said: “I am impressed with the unique shapes made from flowers and fruits because they are not only beautiful but also the typical fruits of each land. Like Nhon Ai's samples, I see Burmese grapes, durians, and rambutans, which are all local specialties.”

Through the competition, it can be seen that Phong Dien is not only famous for many specialty fruits but also for creative and skillful farmers. Tourist Ngo Thi Diem Huong in Cai Rang district, said: “The floral arrangement and fruit carving contest is very impressive, showing ingenuity and creativity of the artists. Therefore, it will attract a large number of visitors to take pictures. From these unique images, people will pay attention to learn about the locality, especially the fruits on display”. Mr. Vo Thanh Giup, Director of the Center for Trade Promotion, Tourism and Monuments Management of Phong Dien district, said: “Phong Dien currently has 8,500ha of fruit trees with special varieties namely Ha Chau Burmese grape, honey orange, durian, mangosteen, star apple, longan… Through the Festival, we want to introduce and promote local products to tourists near and far. Particularly, the district of Phong Dien has also built the Ha Chau Burmese grape brand. Recently, Ha Chau Burmese grape has also entered the top 100 Vietnamese gifts and braised chicken with Ha Chau Burmese grape is also in the top 100 Vietnamese dishes. Phong Dien is building many products such as Ha Chau Burmese grape juice, Ha Chau Burmese grape wine... contributing to the formation of typical products from agricultural products. The formation of Ha Chau Burmese grape brand will be the foundation for the locality to continue to build other brands of agricultural products, to diversify Phong Dien tourism products”.

The food stalls at the festival also attract many visitors. Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Ca from Ninh Kieu district, said: “Here, I learn many delicious dishes typical of Phong Dien such as braised chicken with Ha Chau Burmese, hammock-shaped cake, sticky rice dumplings stuffed with duck meat are very unique. In addition, there are also many delicious traditional cakes. There are about a dozen stalls selling all kinds of folk cakes that attract a large number of tourists to enjoy. Besides, the festival also has many activities attracting a lot of visitors such as martial arts performance, motor boat racing, calligraphy performance, cultural program, music exchange, etc.

Up to now, the festival has taken place nine times. It has gradually been expanded, renovated, and become a connection point for the promotion, supply, and demand of local agricultural products and products, as well as introducing unique delicacies of the Southwestern region.