Tay Ninh rural tourism: Nature becomes the driving force for regional development

(Dan Tri) - After merging its boundaries with the old Long An, Tay Ninh is emerging as a bright spot in developing rural tourism associated with ecology and community.

Tan Lap Floating Village: "Symphony" of the river region

From cajuput forests, lotus fields to vast fields of sedge, Tay Ninh has turned its natural advantages into a series of attractive destinations, both preserving the ecological environment and creating stable livelihoods for people in the Dong Thap Muoi region.

About 100km from Ho Chi Minh City, Tan Lap Floating Village (Moc Hoa commune) is an ideal stopover for those who want to "heal" in the middle of nature without having to go far.

Tourists rowing sampans at Tan Lap Floating Village (Photo: Moc Khai).

Spread over nearly 135 hectares in the center of Dong Thap Muoi region, this place is covered by immense cajuput forests, fresh and quiet space.

Tourists to Tan Lap often choose to row a sampan through the forest, through small winding canals, and breathe in the scent of cajuput trees in the wind. These rustic moments make many people compare this place to a “symphony of nature”.

Not only an eco- tourism area, Tan Lap Floating Village also preserves the rustic lifestyle of the river residents. People still stick to farming, fishing, baking, and cooking to serve tourists.

Tourists experience removing roofs to catch fish (Photo: Trinh Nguyen).

Ms. Le Thi Thang - Captain of the boat dock - shared: "Most of the tourists who come here are people who want to live slowly, want to return to nature. They really like to join the locals in removing roofs, spreading nets or draining ponds to catch fish. The more people participating, the more fun."

The cuisine here is also an unforgettable highlight: grilled snakehead fish, fish sauce hotpot, lotus flowers with fish sauce... all are made from fresh, delicious ingredients, making diners fascinated.

Endless Fields: When tourism meets conservation

Only about 13km from Tan Lap Floating Village, Endless Field - which is the Dong Thap Muoi Center for Research, Conservation and Development of Medicinal Herbs - is a typical example of an eco-tourism model combined with natural resource conservation.

Spanning thousands of hectares with hundreds of years old primeval cajuput forest, this place is both a nature reserve and an experience space for tourists who love peace and wildness.

During the flood season, fields of sedge and purple lotus flowers cover the water surface, reflecting the light to create a rare poetic scene.

Endless fields are one of the popular check-in spots in Tay Ninh (Photo: Phu Vinh).

Ms. Nguyen Dang Thi Ngoc Han - an operator at the tourist area - said: "Morning is the best time to see lotus flowers. Sitting on a motorboat, gliding along the canals amidst the vast water and flowers is an experience that everyone will remember."

Mr. Bui Dac Thang - Director of the tourist area - said that this place is developing an eco-tourism model for health care based on medicinal plants. Visitors can participate in "forest bathing", herbal foot baths, essential oil blending, and learning about rare plant species.

“Forest bathing is when we walk, row or cycle in a medicinal forest. Organic compounds from plants and herbs penetrate the skin, helping the body detoxify, increase resistance, and reduce stress. It is a therapy that connects people with nature in the true sense,” said Mr. Thang.

Tay Ninh - a bright spot in rural tourism development

According to the Rural Tourism Development Program in New Rural Construction for the 2021-2025 period, approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 922/QD-TTg dated August 2, 2022, the key objective is to promote traditional cultural values, typical ecological landscapes of each region, promote community tourism associated with heritage conservation and environmental protection.

Implementing that orientation, Tay Ninh has taken advantage of the "border" between the East and the Southwest - where the plains and rivers intersect - to develop a green rural tourism model.

Tay Ninh is emerging as a bright spot in developing rural tourism associated with ecology and community (Illustration photo: Phu Vinh).

The whole province currently has many historical and cultural relics ranked at provincial and national levels, creating a solid foundation for the development of cultural and ecological tourism.

In previous years, tourism management agencies as well as local authorities of Tay Ninh province have set a goal by 2030 to make tourism an important economic sector, making a great contribution to socio-economic development and improving the quality of life of rural people.

With clear orientation, available potential and consensus of the people, Tay Ninh is becoming a typical model of green rural tourism in the West, contributing to realizing the goal of the Rural Tourism Development Program in building new rural areas.

There, each countryside is not only a peaceful place to return to but also a destination worth experiencing and a pride of Vietnam tourism.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/du-lich-nong-thon-tay-ninh-thien-nhien-tro-thanh-dong-luc-phat-trien-vung-20251112170834418.htm