Can Tho leverages its cultural and ecological resources in tourism development.

Tourists experience the Memorial Ceremony tour on Son Island. Photo: KIEU MAI

Developing a diverse range of cultural tourism products.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Suong, General Director of Hai Au Can Tho Hotel and Tourism Company Limited, commented: “Can Tho City currently has many resources to build a diverse system of tourism products. Cultural tourism products still have much room for development; if their value is properly promoted, they will create unique characteristics.”

Accordingly, the riverine culture is emphasized with distinct characteristics, gradually moving westward across the Mekong Delta and flowing into the sea. Can Tho (formerly) with its urban water features along the river, exploits experiential products associated with floating markets, canals, and islets... Hau Giang (formerly) is linked to canals and wetlands. And Soc Trang (formerly) has protective forests, seaports, and deep-water ports with diverse ecosystems: freshwater, brackish, and saltwater, creating unique experiences.

Simultaneously, a key feature of Can Tho City after the merger is its rich cultural resources. The area is home to diverse ethnic groups such as the Kinh, Hoa, Khmer, and Cham, creating a rich cultural diversity, lifestyles, and local customs. This diversity provides the foundation for developing unique cultural tourism products. These differences are easily discernible in the architecture of houses, temples, places of worship, cuisine, and performing arts.

For example, in terms of performing arts, Can Tho is known for its folk songs and lullabies; Hau Giang has Aday singing; and Soc Trang boasts the Ro Bam and Du Ke theatrical arts of the Khmer people, as well as various art forms of the Chinese community… If these resources are effectively utilized and developed in tourism product development, it will create a unique highlight for Can Tho, especially products related to nighttime economic activities, extending the length of stay for tourists.

Mr. Truong Van Vinh, Director of Ido Travel Can Tho, said: "Can Tho City is lacking nighttime activities and needs unique, regular shows to attract tourists."

Mr. Tran Thanh Thai, Director of Mekong Smile Tourism and Trade Joint Stock Company, stated: “Can Tho still has abundant tourism resources that have not been fully exploited, especially cultural tourism products. With the diverse cultural colors of the localities when merged, the development of tourism products will receive more attention from travel agencies. From the perspective of local travel agencies, we have surveyed and developed many products bearing the imprint of local culture, such as the memorial service on Son Island, the essence of the river with tours exploring floating markets and river routes… In the long term, we are still developing many new itineraries and products with longer routes to provide diverse experiences for tourists.”

Tourists experience the Memorial Ceremony tour on Son Island. Photo: KIEU MAI

Focus on green tourism and the application of digital technology.

Mr. Truong Van Vinh, Director of Ido Travel Can Tho, said: “Developing distinctive and unique products is necessary, but we also need to focus on green tourism. Green tourism not only promotes sustainable development but is also a unique feature of the Mekong Delta region, which is heavily impacted by climate change. We have a diverse ecosystem, and developing green tourism will contribute to preserving this resource.”

Sharing the same view, Mr. Tran Thanh Thai, Director of Mekong Smile Tourism and Trade Joint Stock Company, said: “When researching the market, we also grasped the trend of green tourism becoming increasingly popular, especially among international tourists. Currently, we are surveying and developing green tourism products in Phong Dien, Lung Ngoc Hoang, and Cu Lao Dung, in which local culture and environmental protection will be the highlights.”

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Suong, General Director of Hai Au Can Tho Hotel and Tourism Company Limited, said: “Factors related to climate change, food security, and environmental responsibility in the Mekong Delta region are attracting international tourists. Therefore, we are also developing many tourism products related to these issues.”

The product research department of Hai Au Can Tho Hotel and Tourism Company Limited has surveyed agricultural community tourism models in Cu Lao Dung, aiming to develop experiential tourism products focusing on agricultural livelihoods under the forest canopy, combined with ecological restoration and environmental regeneration.

“Based on reality, we conduct research and create products that closely match the tastes of tourists while still preserving local characteristics. Tourism businesses at this time are also forced to be proactive in reaching tourists, and we are applying digital technology in many programs so that tourists have diverse experiences and their journeys will be more memorable,” Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Suong emphasized.

Hai Au Can Tho Hotel and Tourism Company Limited is developing many new programs to change the way tourists approach familiar destinations, such as Study Tour, which explores cultural and historical sites in Can Tho City based on digital maps combined with games and social media; or Smart Farm, offering unique experiences related to high-tech agriculture in Can Tho (formerly) and Hau Giang (formerly).

In the new and rapidly changing tourism landscape, Mr. Tran Thanh Thai, Director of Mekong Smile Tourism Trading Joint Stock Company, stated: "With this new environment, travel agencies are forced to adapt and innovate, which includes the mandatory digitization of many activities."

Thus, Can Tho currently has ample room to develop a diverse range of tourism products. However, the locality needs comprehensive planning to redefine its product system and prioritize key investments. Accordingly, the Can Tho tourism industry is reviewing and developing a program to survey local products, initially assessing the situation and making appropriate proposals and directions for tourism in the future.

AI LAM

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/can-tho-phat-huy-tai-nguyen-van-hoa-va-sinh-thai-trong-phat-trien-du-lich-a188602.html