Bringing grapes to the alluvial plains for tourism.

Previously, when people thought of grapes, they immediately pictured the hot, sunny central region of Vietnam. However, few would have guessed that in the alluvial plains of Vinh Long, many farmers also cultivate grapes with abundant yields. These unique vineyards have attracted tourists who come to visit and enjoy grape products right in the gardens, resulting in high economic returns.

Tourists visit Bay Thiet vineyard (Thanh Hai commune, Vinh Long province).

The elderly farmer is determined to develop OCOP products from grapevines.

Farmer Vo Van Lam, residing in My Son Dong hamlet (Phuoc My Trung commune, Vinh Long province), has painstakingly brought grape varieties from the sunny and windy central region to plant on alluvial soil, initially achieving high economic efficiency. His Hoang Duy vineyard, which produces grapes organically, is gradually attracting tourists to visit and enjoy grapes right in the vineyard.

In 2021, Mr. Lam brought six grapevines from the former Ninh Thuan province (now Khanh Hoa province) to plant as a trial. Initially, due to a lack of experience in caring for them, all the vines gradually died. Undeterred, he decided to continue planting and researching different grape varieties.

Through repeated experience, his grapevines have grown lush and begun to bear fruit. To date, he has propagated more than 400 vines on an area of ​​3,000 m² ^with varieties such as: Khanh Hoa red grapes, grapes originating from the United States, Japan, China…

Farmer Vo Van Lam is determined to develop OCOP products from grape cultivation.

Mr. Lam said: “In this area, people grow a lot of coconuts, durians, mangosteens… I thought that to attract tourists looking for new and unique plants, I decided to bring grapevines here to try growing them. After many years of growing grapes, I found that, in order for the grapevines to adapt to the climate and land of this region, before planting, we have to build a rain shelter using plastic sheets that allow sunlight because most grapes tolerate dry climates and are not suitable for rainwater or flooding. Therefore, we have to dig wide holes and add crushed stones to increase drainage so that the grapevines can develop.”

According to Mr. Lam, caring for grapevines requires proper and balanced fertilization and pruning to encourage flowering. The ideal time for pruning grapevines is from late winter to early spring of the following year. Pruning at this time minimizes damage to the plant, facilitates wound healing, and, importantly, stimulates the plant to produce more fruit.

Because the grapes are grown organically, tourists can enjoy them right in the vineyard. On average, Mr. Lam's family harvests about 250 kg of grapes each year, mainly selling them to tourists to enjoy on-site. Recently, Mr. Lam's family has also partnered with Mekong Lodge Resort Tien Giang Tourism Company to bring tourists to visit the vineyard.

Currently, Mr. Lam's family vineyard has attracted many domestic and international tourists who come to visit and enjoy grapes right in the vineyard. Tourist Vo Phi Giao (from Ho Chi Minh City) said: “I have visited many vineyards throughout the country, but this vineyard has its own unique beauty because it grows many varieties of grapes with different colors and flavors. The grapes here are grown organically, so the fruits are small and very delicious, which is why visitors really enjoy tasting them right in the vineyard.”

Grapevines thrive in the alluvial soil of Vinh Long.

In the near future, his family plans to expand the area to 5,000 square ^meters to serve the needs of visitors. From grapes, Mr. Lam researches and processes them into handcrafted grape wine and grape syrup for visitors to enjoy. At the same time, he aims to build a vineyard that meets OCOP 3-star standards to attract tourists.

Vice Chairman of Phuoc My Trung Commune People's Committee, Doan Van Em, commented: "Mr. Vo Van Lam is a keen farmer who has found new directions in developing green and sustainable agricultural tourism in line with the local tourism development orientation. This has helped increase his income by selling agricultural products directly from his farm to tourists."

The two sisters brought grapes back to the coastal land.

In 2019, during a trip to the former Ninh Thuan province (now Khanh Hoa province), sisters Tran Thi Diem (34 years old) and Tran Thi Thuy (30 years old) were given a grapevine by a friend and planted it in their yard. After six months, the grapevines grew well, so the two sisters decided to buy more to plant, initially 50 vines, then increasing the number to 300.

Ms. Tran Thi Diem said: “Initially, we just planted them for fun, but seeing that the grapevines produced a lot of fruit, my sister and I came up with the idea of ​​starting a business from grape cultivation to develop tourism. During the grape harvest season around Tet in 2020, the vineyard named Bay Thiet welcomed tourists for the first time to visit, enjoy fresh grapes right in the vineyard, and has continued to develop until now.”

Seeing the positive results, the family expanded their vineyard to double its size, with approximately 300 grapevines. Simultaneously, they developed additional products such as grape jam, grape syrup, and grape wine to serve tourists on-site. Furthermore, noticing tourists' demand for seedlings, the family also provides them and offers guidance on planting techniques.

Mr. Bay Thiet (Diem's ​​father) said: "This was the idea of ​​my two daughters when they brought grapevines to this area to plant and sell to tourists. Currently, both daughters work as pharmacists near home, so I take care of the vineyard. Every year, the vineyard mainly welcomes tourists during Tet (Lunar New Year) and summer holidays when the vines are treated to bear fruit."

Ms. Tran Thi Diem and her family brought grapevines to plant on their coastal land to develop tourism.

Currently, Mr. Bay Thiet's two daughters regularly use the internet to advertise and promote the vineyard, aiming to attract tourists. Additionally, because the area has the Con Bung tourist area, many tourist groups visiting for sightseeing and swimming also stop by Bay Thiet's vineyard.

In addition, the family is growing other crops such as longan, cassava, watermelon, etc., to diversify the products for tourists to visit and enjoy right in the garden. This will help attract tourists to the garden year-round.

Bay Thiet Vineyard sells seedlings to tourists upon request.

According to Lam Huu Phuc, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vinh Long province: “The province is strengthening the application of digital technology and green and clean technology in tourism business; developing smart tourism; promoting, advertising, building brands and managing tourism resources. At the same time, we will develop a smart tourism ecosystem; applying digital technology to connect and support and enhance the experience for tourists. In particular, we will encourage investors and businesses to invest in responsible tourism in a green and sustainable direction, creating green products and services to promote the trend of green tourism consumption.”

On the other hand, the province is developing diverse types of tourism in the direction of green growth, such as: ecotourism, agro-ecotourism, community tourism, discovery tourism, experiencing natural and cultural heritage values, relaxation and health care…

VU TRUNG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/dem-nho-ve-xu-phu-sa-lam-du-lich-post910372.html