Can Gio tourism, potential needs to be awakened

The "gem" is gradually shining

Known as the “green lung of the city”, Can Gio island district not only has a long coastline, but also a mangrove ecosystem recognized as a World Biosphere Reserve with diverse flora and fauna. The district also has the national historical relic site of Sac Forest, community tourism destinations such as Thieng Lieng, Thanh An island commune. Festivals, traditional craft villages of the people, and cuisine, Can Gio is not inferior to the coastal tourist destinations of the S-shaped country.

Just over 40 km from the center of Ho Chi Minh City, many quality resorts and accommodations have appeared. According to statistics, Can Gio has over 19 accommodations, 10 restaurants, 49 eateries; 6 tourist areas and spots.

Green space in Can Gio is very precious to Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Kim Phong.

With the developing advantages of Can Gio, many travel and tourism companies have exploited such as BenThanh Tourist Company, SUP rowing through Can Gio mangrove forest, Can Gio Sac Forest Tour of Saigontourist Travel ...

Mr. Nguyen Tran Hoang Phuong - Director of the Institute of Social Tourism Research (Vietnam Tourism Training Association) said that among the current tourist destinations of Ho Chi Minh City, in terms of natural resources, Can Gio is a place with a lot of potential for development. The city's people are too suffocated with the atmosphere and skyscrapers, so they will definitely need to find a fresh atmosphere as a healing tourist destination and Can Gio is converging all of those factors.

Tourists tend to seek out eco-tourism destinations for relaxation. Photo: Kim Phong.

Can Gio’s tourism resources are said to be “abundant” to become an ideal destination. However, according to tourism experts, this place has not yet fully exploited its inherent potential and advantages.

Talking about this, Mr. Nguyen Tran Hoang Phuong - Director of the Institute for Social Tourism Research (Vietnam Tourism Training Association) said: "Can Gio has begun to cautiously exploit tourism, this is a very correct thing. Although Can Gio has enough advantages, the difficulty is how to harmonize tourism exploitation with the protection of natural resources, environmental protection... Exploiting tourism is us taking advantage of the value of nature to gain, however, the value of nature is still the most important, if the goal is to exploit Can Gio tourism to make a profit, sooner or later the landscape here will be destroyed. Therefore, to brighten this precious gem, we must do it step by step, according to standards".

At the end of December 2023, Ho Chi Minh City launched a community tourism model in Thieng Lieng Hamlet (Can Gio) combining cultural preservation, introducing customs and livelihood activities, and at the same time forming a tourism service supply chain associated with household destinations, helping tourists have many experiences. Photo: Trung Hau.

Open the smokeless industry

Recently, Can Gio has been developing various types of tourism such as beach resorts, eco-tourism in coastal wetland ecosystems, river tourism associated with craft village tourism, experiencing people's lives, cultural tourism associated with spiritual festivals, etc. However, awakening the potential of the smokeless economy in Can Gio is not only the responsibility of local authorities, travel companies, and tour operators, but also the task of the community and those who love sustainable tourism.

Tourists experience tourism in Can Gio. Photo: Kim Phong.

Some experts believe that, in the immediate future, the authorities need to accelerate the progress of continuing to invest in improving and maintaining tourism infrastructure. Take advantage of the natural and cultural characteristics of Can Gio to develop unique and attractive tourism products. Focus on eco-tourism, community tourism, and combine with the OCOP program to create sustainable tourism products with cultural values.

Expanding access and promoting in the market will help Can Gio attract a diverse range of tourists and open the door to international cooperation opportunities. Proper investment in developing and preserving tourism resources, along with close cooperation from the community and businesses, is also an important key to shaping a sustainable and successful development journey for Can Gio…

Over the years, Ho Chi Minh City has made constant efforts to develop this “gem” to match its potential. Specifically, the Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee has issued Decision 12 on the development orientation of Can Gio district until 2030. The general goal is to build and develop Can Gio district into a coastal city with the characteristics of a green, smart, environmentally friendly growth city. In which, high-quality eco-tourism and resort is the spearhead. Or there will be a super Can Gio seaport.

More recently, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has approved the detailed planning project at a scale of 1/500 for the project to build a cultural and sports square in Can Gio district. In addition to the large square, Can Gio is also planned as a coastal urban area. Can Gio will have parks, golf courses, resorts, stadiums, and 108-storey buildings, making this place a regional entertainment and tourism destination...

Tourists experience community tourism in Thieng Lieng hamlet (Can Gio). Photo: Trung Hau.

With drastic actions, Can Gio tourism is also receiving many positive signals, the number of tourists to Can Gio increases every year, with over 2 million arrivals, accounting for 8.7% of tourists to Ho Chi Minh City. Contributing to the overall results of Ho Chi Minh City in 2023 with 5 million international visitors and 35 million domestic visitors, total tourism revenue of over 160,000 billion VND, in the top 100 most favorite tourist destinations in 2023.

Join hands to build Can Gio into a sustainable tourist destination, not only bringing economic benefits but also protecting and honoring the cultural values and unique natural conditions of Ho Chi Minh City in general and Can Gio district in particular.

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