Developing agricultural tourism to increase income for farmers

Take advantage of the localities' strengths

In the survey of professionals, most of the localities in Binh Dinh have their strengths based on unique characteristics. From there, a chain can be formed and each destination will have a distinct attraction.

For example, in Hoai Nhon town, a coastal locality, ecotourism and beach resorts are taken as spearheads to develop tourism. Another seaside locality of Binh Dinh province, Phu My district, also takes eco-tourism along the coast, lagoon, and community-based tourism as spearheads for development. The mountainous district of An Lao takes eco-tourism in the mountains and forests, community-based tourism as the basis, and adventure tourism as complementary products. Hoai An midland district, a fruit-growing area of more than 3,000 ha, takes agricultural tourism as a key to development, creating more income for farmers.

“In the near future, we will plan a new fruit tree area in An Tuong Dong commune, which is adjacent to Thach Khe reservoir. When formed, this land will "create" money from fruit tree income. It will also "create" money from tourists who want to enjoy local specialties and enjoy the natural scenery of Thach Khe reservoir. This reservoir has a storage capacity of more than 7 million m3, surrounded by forests and mountains. The watershed forests here are very well protected, and the color is green with a picturesque aspect. The orchards and natural scenery will attract tourists”, Mr. Nguyen Huu Khuc, Chairman of Hoai An District People's Committee, shared.

Tay Son midland district is developing agricultural tourism and community tourism based on areas specializing in vegetable and fruit cultivation. Visitors will experience the scenery of the sea, lagoons, forests, mountains, and fruit orchards located by artificial reservoirs in Hoai An, An Lao, Phu My districts, and Hoai Nhon town. On the way to Quy Nhon city, visitors will stop by the Tay Son district, where there are many historical sites of the Tay Son period and cultural relics in areas specializing in safe vegetable cultivation to experience a farmer's work.

Farmers are excited to participate

To enrich local tourism products and historical and cultural relics, Tay Son District People's Committee is implementing the Scheme for the development of fruit-growing areas, specialized vegetable-growing areas, and community tourism. The block of Thuan Nghia street in Phu Phong town (Tay Son district, Binh Dinh) has 470 households. Of these, 224 households participate in growing vegetables in Thuan Nghia vegetable village over an area of 36 ha. Up to 19.5 ha of vegetables here, with the brand name La Lanh, have been recognized as VietGAP since 2013.

Thuan Nghia people know no shortage of vegetables, from leafy vegetables, and root vegetables to spices. The vegetable rows are all the bright blue sky with a very fresh looking. Green vegetables covered the garden from the welcome gate stretching to the road at the horizon's end. Thuan Nghia vegetable village is close to the Kon river all year round, cultivating alluvium for the famous safe vegetable area of Binh Dinh, enhancing poetry. It only takes a short distance from Quang Trung Museum to Thuan Nghia. This is a favorable condition so that after visiting Quang Trung Museum, visitors can walk to Thuan Nghia vegetable village. Thanks to that, Thuan Nghia vegetable village was present on several tours of Binh Dinh. 

When Tay Son district had the policy, the people immediately responded, proving that the government's policy was in line with the people's wishes. The owners of gardens and farms in Tay Son district are very excited to develop an agricultural economy associated with the experience tourism business. People actively invest in new seedlings and breeds, and boldly apply scientific and technical advances to planting, tending, and harvesting.

“Agricultural production associated with tourism development also creates a friendly living environment, making the ecosystem more sustainable. Tay Son district will have more opportunities to preserve organic farming methods when agriculture and tourism development are in parallel. The district will also be able to increase the value of agricultural products, and expand output for agricultural products”, Mr. Quach Van Cau, Director of Thuan Nghia Agricultural Cooperative, shared.

“Households growing vegetables in Thuan Nghia have been directly guided by the lecturers of the Faculty of Tourism and Service of Quy Nhon College of Engineering and Technology in serving community tourism. They are also preliminary guides on homestay, homestay operation; Receptionist skills, the process of welcoming guests; communication skills and the requirements and necessary skills of the tour guide at the site; business desk tasks; cooking. It also includes room service; preliminary calculation of business efficiency and ways of promoting tourism products; consulting and orienting several tourism services that can be developed in households, renovating, decorating gardens and houses…”, Mr. Quach Van Cau, Director of Thuan Nghia Agricultural Cooperative, said.