Unique freshwater pearl farming model combined with tourism on Thoi Son islet

Unique freshwater pearl farming model combined with tourism on Thoi Son islet - Photo 1.

Mr. Thao is introducing to tourists the freshwater pearl farming model - Photo: MAU TRUONG

The first person to raise freshwater mussels on Thoi Son island

Among the coconut groves and immense grapefruit gardens on Thoi Son Islet (Thoi Son Ward, Dong Thap Province), tourist groups flock to the garden of Mr. Nguyen Chi Thao (41 years old) to visit his freshwater pearl farming model - a model and also a new direction combining agriculture and community tourism on this islet.

Mr. Thao said that in 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic was complicated, he was stuck at home so he had a lot of time to go online to research and learn. By chance, he was attracted to the freshwater pearl farming model in the northern provinces.

He bought the first 100 oysters to try raising. In the early days, due to lack of experience, many oysters died, but he did not give up. Gradually, he learned from his experience and realized that the water environment in the island's garden ditch, rich in alluvium and plankton, was the ideal condition for oysters to grow.

He uses the canal system as a "home" for the mussels, both to water the plants, to conserve water, and to create a natural food source. To increase efficiency, he also releases giant catfish and other native fish, forming a closed ecosystem that both generates income and maintains environmental balance.

After more than 4 years, from the initial 100 oysters, his small farm now has nearly 2,000 oysters, each carrying 1 to 3 pearls. Thoi Son freshwater pearls have natural color, beautiful shine, are crafted into rings, earrings, necklaces, bearing the mark of the garden.

Not only stopping at production, Mr. Thao also turned this model into an experiential tourism product. Coming to Thoi Son, visitors not only listen to traditional music or enjoy fruits, but also get to see with their own eyes the process of digging for pearls and collecting pearls - a process that is both meticulous and full of surprises.

"Many customers, especially foreigners, love it. They want to open the oyster shells themselves. Seeing the pearls appear sparkling, everyone is amazed," Mr. Thao shared.

Now, raising pearls not only brings income but also helps him get more involved in local community tourism, opening up a sustainable direction for farmers on the island.

New direction for garden tourism

During the survey trip "Thoi Son Community Tourism: New Experience - New Quality" organized recently by Thoi Son Ward People's Committee in collaboration with travel companies, Ms. Nguyen Thi Xuan Mai, Vice Chairman of Thoi Son Ward People's Committee, said that developing community tourism must be associated with professionalism, sustainability and participation of the people themselves.

"The people are the soul of community tourism. When they are proud of their hometown products, tourists can truly feel the love and essence of the West," said Ms. Mai.

With synchronous investment, creativity of the people and clear orientation of the locality, Thoi Son Islet is gradually becoming a model destination of community tourism in the Southwest region - where tourists not only "go to see", but also "live to feel" every peaceful rhythm of life in the heart of the alluvial river.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Nhien - Head of Marketing Department of Con Phung Tourism Service Trading Company Limited ( Vinh Long ), said that Thoi Son Islet is gradually becoming a model destination for community tourism in the Southwest region - where tourists not only "go to see", but also "live to feel" every peaceful rhythm of life in the middle of the alluvial river.

"In addition to experiencing the freshwater pearl farming model, visitors can experience making coconut jam, cooking sticky rice wine, weaving water hyacinth baskets, weaving sedge mats, or listening to traditional music in the middle of the fruit garden... to feel the rustic soul of the river region," said Ms. Nhien.

Unique freshwater pearl farming model combined with tourism on Thoi Son islet - Photo 3.