Can Tho: The quality of fruit trees is the key to agro-tourism in Phong Dien district

Tourism activities in Can Tho city as well as Phong Dien district have been flourishing in recent years. The city boasts over 34 tourist destinations, attracting around 5 million tourists in 2023, which is an increase of 19% compared to the same period in 2022 and an increase of 96% compared to the set plan. Accordingly, Phong Dien district accounts for over 50% of the ecotourism sites in the city.

Phong Dien district is known as the “Green Belt of Can Tho” due to its refreshing climate and gentle nature. The district has approximately 9,000 hectares dedicated to the prduction of various fruit trees, including over 3,500 hectares of durian with an annual output of 30,000 tons. In addition, specialty fruits such as Ha Chau strawberries, Lo Ren milk apples among many others are renowned delicacies that can only be found in the district’s fertile soil. Capitalizing on these advantages, the district has transformed fruit farms into unique tourist attractions for both domestic and international visitors.

The highlight of Phong Dien’s ecotourism is the uniqueness of each fruit farm. Depending on the available resources, farmers create and prepare delicious dishes with their unique touch to serve tourists. Notable examples include Banh It with Siamese duck filling (bánh ít trần nhân vịt xiêm) from the 9 Hong farm, hammock rice vermicelli (bánh hỏi mặt võng) from the Ut Dzach farm, and steamed buns (bánh bao) from the Tuan Tuong farm.

Consequently, Phong Dien district will focus on developing infrastructure and enhancing the brand value of local indigenous fruit trees. This effort will include producing fruits for safe export in combination with the development of agro-tourism to fully utilize the district’s potential for tourism,  and providing a stable source of income for local residents.

Ms. Dao Thi Thanh Thuy, Deputy Director of Can Tho City’s Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, believes that there must be collaborative efforts from relevant agencies to support local residents in building high-quality, unique products in order to bridge tourism and agriculture. Accordingly, the Department will propose a resolution for the development of a new tourism form in the immediate future. Subsequently, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism will collaborate with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to establish a brand of local agricultural products. The training of local residents on how to engage in tourism activities and present their products is also a priority, resulting in an increased appeal for farmer tour guides.

Mr. Le Thanh Tung, Deputy Director of the Department of Crop Production under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, emphasized that the effectiveness of agro-tourism models relies on unique ideas originating from farmers, followed by support and development from local governments. If the tourism site’s design is unappealing and the product’s safety and quality are not reliable, the agro-tourism model may not yield effective results even with governmental investments. In the case of Phong Dien, the district  had a reputation in both tourism and fruit products, making product quality the key to the success of agro-tourism models.

According to the “Building and developing unique tourism products for Can Tho city from 2018 to 2020, with a vision towards 2030” project, Phong Dien district was identified as a region with potential to become an eco-urban area characterized by high-quality agricultural products and eco-tourism. One of the strengths highlighted is ecotourism in combination with river routes. Accordingly, the focus is on creating tourism products that provide experiences with linkages to the riverine way of life and the rich local culture.

Moreover, Can Tho city’s Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism will collaborate with districts and municipalities to organize activities that attract both domestic and international tourists. The stakeholders will also participate in building cooperative networks for the development of large-scale tourism across the country.

However, the core element for successful promotional activities in the tourism industry is the attention to product quality and safety by farmers and those involved in the tourism sector. Only high-quality products can capture the attention of tourists.