by Tố Như

A diverse culture rich in identity, favourable geography and majestic natural landscapes offer great potential for the central province of Quảng Ngãi to develop community tourism, especially in rural areas.

The province located in the south-central region of Việt Nam, about 820km north of HCM City and 150km south of the city of Đà Nẵng, is mobilising all efforts to embellish new rural areas to boost community tourism, including the establishment of co-operatives to implement the National Target Programme on new rural areas for 2021-2025.

 According to Nguyễn Tiến Dũng, director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quảng Ngãi Province, agricultural and rural tourism are attracting the attention of authorities and residents.

"Such types of tourism have developed in the right direction, embracing natural landscape, cultural values and unique aspects of each locality," Dũng said.

Authorities have encouraged and created better conditions for people in rural areas to participate in tourism activities, and at the same time following the One Commune, One [Speciality] Product (OCOP) model, the official added.

Meanwhile, Hồ Trọng Phương, director of Quảng Ngãi's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), said: "The potential for agritourism is huge, with services mainly focusing on various tours to rural communities combined with cooperatives and coordinated with travel agencies.

“DARD will continue to cooperate with the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and local authorities as well as relevant departments and branches to implement a programme on developing rural tourism in the province." 

 Nipa palm swamps

In the past years, a number of community and agri-ecotourism cooperative models have been established and operated, promoting local cultural and economic advantages.

These cooperatives have been operating effectively, contributing to highlighting the image of the province and increasing local livelihoods.

Nguyễn Văn Dũng, director of the Mỹ Khê Community Agriculture and Tourism Co-operative, said about 10 households in the cooperative take part in rowing boats to serve tourists during their visit to nipa palm swamps in Mỹ Khê Commune

All the boats are equipped with life jackets and operated according to safety standards. The ticket price is clearly publicised so that tourists are not cheated.

 The Mỹ Khê Community Agriculture and Tourism Cooperative was set up in March 2023 to manage and exploit 12 hectares of local nipa swamps.

Currently, the cooperative is designing 10 facilities for homestay service in the swamps to lure more tourists. It is also investing in building roads into the area with pavements for people to walk on and admire the local scenery.

The Tịnh Khê nipa swamp welcomes about 200 visitors per day at weekends. The number can reach thousands during holidays.

"Thanks to that, those engaged in rowing boats to serve tourists can earn an additional VNĐ120,000 per journey. This not only helps enhance the value of nipa swamps, creating livelihoods for participating members, but also raises people's awareness of managing, preserving, and restoring natural ecosystems," Dũng said.

 Agritourism

Meanwhile, the Bình Thành Agriculture, Service and Community Tourism Cooperative in Hành Nhân Commune, Nghĩa Hành District, is collaborating with seven fruit gardens and one flower farm to welcome tourists.

Last year, through tours to orchards, the cooperative supported local growers to sell two tonnes of fruits, including grapefruit, banana, rambutan, tangerine and orange.

"The cooperative has 15 members and is affiliated with 200 households to do community tourism. With this model, we not only aim to change the thinking and awareness of local officials and people about the benefits and effectiveness of community tourism but also to make our rural areas green, clean and beautiful," Đoàn Phú Việt Nam, director of the Bình Thành Co-operative, said.

Countryside has recently become a more and more attractive part of the country's tourism development strategies.

In particular, community tourism associated with new rural areas is considered ideal, bringing dual benefits that have been targeted by many localities.

In Việt Nam, the role of community tourism is clear in many areas. It helps contribute to raising the values of agriculture, regional culture and the development of cottage industry with OCOP items. VNS