Linking tourism development with agriculture and rural areas

In recent years, in parallel with promoting production and business, many agricultural cooperatives in Thai Nguyen province have developed additional models of experiential tourism and community tourism. This not only brings income to the cooperatives but also contributes to promoting the image of Thai Nguyen land and people to a large number of domestic and foreign tourists.

Foreign tourists experience tea picking at Tien Yen tea and community tourism cooperative, Tan Cuong commune (Thai Nguyen city).

Make an impression on visitors

Tan Cuong tea area ( Thai Nguyen city) currently has about 1,372 hectares of tea. This place not only owns famous delicious tea products but also has a very rich natural landscape, with green tea hills shaped like upside down bowls stretching out.

Recently, we had the opportunity to visit and experience the Tien Yen Tea and Community Tourism Cooperative with a group of foreign tourists. As soon as the car stopped in front of the house, Mr. Bui Trong Dai, Director of the Cooperative, enthusiastically invited the guests into the area where teapots and plates of green tea peanut candy were prepared. While sipping tea, the visitors listened attentively to Mr. Dai introduce the famous Tan Cuong tea region, the Cooperative, the traditional tea processing method as well as the application of modern production technology today.

Ms. Gabriela Travaioli, a tourist from Brazil, experienced tea drying in the traditional way at Tien Yen tea and community tourism cooperative, Tan Cuong commune (Thai Nguyen city).

After giving each visitor a conical hat and a bamboo basket, Mr. Dai led the visitors to the tea hill behind the house to experience the picking process. Many visitors were very excited to experience picking tea for the first time, with the sounds of chatting and laughing. With the freshly picked tea buds, visitors were able to experience the traditional method of roasting and drying.

Ms. Gabriela Travaioli, a tourist from Brazil, shared: This is the first time I have come to Thai Nguyen and participated in the tea picking experience. I find the air here very cool and pleasant, like being one with nature.

Gulchachak Gatullia, a tourist from Russia, said: Coming to Tan Cuong tea growing area, I got to pick and dry tea with the locals. Everyone here is very friendly and cheerful.

Tan Son homestay area (Kem hamlet, La Bang commune, Dai Tu) is located among green tea hills, an ideal resort for tourists. Photo: TL

Ms. Nguyen Hai Yen, a tour guide working in Hanoi, shared: Recently, many international tourists tend to choose Thai Nguyen for sightseeing and experience. Partly because they want to go back in a day, partly because Thai Nguyen has many rich natural landscapes.

Not only Tien Yen tea and community tourism cooperative, there are many cooperatives operating effectively in the tourism sector in the province such as: Hao Dat tea cooperative, Tan Cuong commune (Thai Nguyen city); La Bang tea cooperative, La Bang commune (Dai Tu); ATK community tourism cooperative, Phu Dinh commune (Dinh Hoa)...

Ms. Vu Thi Thu Huong, Vice President of the Provincial Cooperative Union, said: The model of agricultural cooperatives combined with tourism not only contributes to promoting the image of the province to domestic and foreign tourists but also creates more jobs and more output for products when sold to visitors.

Overcoming difficulties to develop

The province currently has nearly 300 craft villages; 240 OCOP products from 3 to 5 stars; 23 heritages included in the list of national intangible cultural heritages; many streams, waterfalls, lakes... These are potentials and advantages for developing community, agricultural and rural tourism. These tourism products have been receiving attention from economic sectors, especially agricultural cooperatives.

The buckwheat flower growing area in the middle of Lan Quan mountain forest (Tan Long commune, Dong Hy) attracts many tourists. Photo: NN

However, during the operation, the cooperatives encountered certain difficulties. Mr. Le Van Hieu, Director of Vo Nhai Agricultural Processing Cooperative, expressed: We still have difficulties in capital sources to invest in tourism development. Therefore, the cooperative always hopes that the provincial authorities will have policies to support bank loan interest rates.

Ms. Tran Thi Tuyet, Director of Tuyet Huong Cooperative, Hoa Trung Commune (Dong Hy), said: The Cooperative is developing experiential tourism, associated with tea production and processing. We hope to be supported to combine with projects on developing community tourism, experiential tourism of the province; connect with potential businesses to promote tourism development...

In order to promptly resolve difficulties and obstacles for cooperatives, last May, the Provincial People's Committee organized a dialogue conference between provincial leaders and tourism cooperatives and tourism enterprises in the province. Ms. Vu Thi Thu Huong, Vice President of the Provincial Cooperative Union, shared more: After the conference, from the direction of provincial leaders to relevant levels, sectors and units, many difficulties such as investment capital, land, environment, etc. have been gradually resolved. Thereby helping many agricultural cooperatives operate more effectively in the fields of community tourism and experiential agricultural tourism. Up to now, the province has 34 agricultural and service cooperatives combined with tourism. The cooperatives and tourism cooperative unions have been gradually operating effectively, with a total capital of over 355 billion VND, creating jobs for more than 1,000 members and 650 workers...

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202408/gan-ket-phat-trien-du-lich-voi-nong-nghiep-nong-thon-bc603d1/