Exploiting the potential of ecotourism

In recent times, farmers in Can Tho city have constantly innovated and created in investing in developing eco-tourism and community tourism destinations associated with agricultural and rural experiences, contributing to effectively implementing the goal of tourism growth and moving towards sustainable tourism development in the locality.

Tourists enjoy visiting the Cau Duc Hamlet community tourism village.

Develop existing potential

Most of the ecotourism and community tourism destinations in Can Tho are associated with the typical landscape of the western river region for exploitation. Typical tourism products at these destinations are visits to fruit gardens, farms, and production processes of the facilities. In addition, at the tourist destinations, visitors are also served with folk games; culinary experiences, and processing of local specialties.

Some tourist areas and spots also introduce local OCOP products as souvenirs; party organization services, traditional music, such as: Thien An Strawberry Garden, Tu Sang Bamboo Garden, Ngoc Dao Goat Milk Farm, Muong Dinh Homestay, Bamboo Garden Tourist Attractions, Nga Bay Song Garden...

Ngoc Dao goat milk farm in Tan Hoa commune, Can Tho city is one of many attractive eco-tourism destinations, contributing to the uniqueness of the local agricultural tourism picture.

Established in 2010 with the goal of providing high quality goat milk to the market, from the initial scale of a few goats, with passion and diligence in learning scientific care methods, the number of goats here has gradually increased over time.

Currently, Ngoc Dao goat milk farm not only provides goat milk but also expands to dairy products, meeting the increasing needs of consumers.

Ngoc Dao goat milk farm is becoming more and more known.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Dua, owner of Ngoc Dao goat milk farm, since 2018, the farm has started welcoming tourists, providing specialty products as gifts from goat milk. Visitors to the farm will visit the goat farming area, experience feeding goats, learn about the growth process of the goat herd, experience the milking process and processing of goat milk products. Regarding cuisine, visitors can enjoy delicious, attractive dishes made from goat milk and other delicious dishes with a rustic western style.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tran, a tourist from An Giang province, shared: “Goats are gentle and cute animals. Children and adults both enjoy interacting and playing with them. I was also very impressed when I came here and experienced them, helping to create a peaceful feeling and closeness to nature.”

With the advantage of being an orchard growing area, many gardeners have successfully built agricultural tourism and eco-tourism models with experiences of homestays, farmstays, and orchard tours...

A typical example is the 9 Hung fruit garden in Dai Thanh ward, Nga Bay city, about 3 hectares wide, is an interesting tourist destination for tourists who love to explore and immerse themselves in nature. Coming here, visitors can experience visiting the fruit-laden rambutan garden, experience wearing ao ba ba to go down to the fish trap ditch... and enjoy country dishes.

A typical river tourism product of the new Can Tho city is Nga Bay Song Garden located in Nga Bay ward. This tourist area has a harmonious combination of culture and ecological nature, bringing visitors impressive experiences.

Mr. Tan Thanh Trung, owner of Nga Bay Song Garden tourist facility, said that visitors coming here will get on a boat and weave through canals and streams to visit fruit-laden orchards, breathe in the fresh air; experience exploring Nga Bay River, and let their souls drift to the folk song "Love of a mat seller".

Coming to Nga Bay Song Garden, visitors can enjoy many rustic dishes such as steamed chicken with salt and chili, grilled snakehead fish, grilled duck, braised eel with Vietnamese coriander. And there will be no shortage of traditional Southern cakes such as: banh xeo, banh khot, goi cuon...

In the first seven months of 2025, the total number of visitors and tourists to Can Tho city was nearly 7.7 million, reaching 72.2% of the yearly plan. Total tourism revenue in the past 7 months was more than 6,390 billion VND, reaching 71% of the 2025 plan.

Ms. Duong Thi Thu Thuy from Ho Chi Minh City shared: “Nga Bay is not strange to me, because I have been here before. But coming back to Nga Bay this time, I have a very different feeling. Experiencing the fresh air in Thien An strawberry garden, visiting historical sites, and experiencing the cuisine is also extremely interesting when making grilled snakehead fish and perch by myself. It is an unforgettable beautiful memory after this trip!”

Taking advantage of the system of islets along the Hau River such as Tan Loc Islet, Son Islet, Au Islet... Can Tho has also developed agricultural eco-tourism associated with the culture of the river life in the South, which has been shaped and developed to attract many visitors. Phong Dien land has shaped eco-resort tourism with many multi-experience destinations such as: Cantho Eco Resort, My Khanh Tourist Village...

Need investment and association for development

According to the Mekong Delta Tourism Association, the tourism space and tourism products of Can Tho in particular, and the Mekong Delta in general, show that the potential for ecotourism is still very large. However, localities in the region have not invested properly or exploited effectively. The way of doing tourism is still spontaneous and unprofessional; tourism products mainly rely on nature, exploiting what is available without long-term investment and lack of connection.

Foreign tourists enjoy the experience of harvesting Cau Duc pineapples in Hoa Luu commune, Can Tho city.

On the other hand, due to the similarity in tourism resources, most localities organize the exploitation of these main products, so the specific values have not been exploited appropriately to organize authentic experiences of river values.

In the potential development space of Can Tho city today, it is necessary to create distinct highlights on each product line such as: river tourism, festival tourism, pilgrimage tourism; at the same time, it is necessary to strengthen connections with provinces in the region to create more diverse tourism products.

Mr. Truong Van Vinh, Director of Ido Travel Tourism Company

According to travel and tourism businesses, with the diversity of natural ecological resources, culture and cuisine, tour operators have many opportunities to innovate and improve tourism products based on indigenous cultural resources, on the basis of integrating stories, delving into culture, people and land to create unique features. In addition, it is necessary to disseminate more information about eco-tourism destinations and areas; at the same time, connecting tours and accommodation systems to make it easier for tourists to connect and choose suitable tourism products.

Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Can Tho City, Sam Long Giang said: In recent years, tourism in Can Tho City has been constantly developing, becoming an attractive destination in the Mekong Delta region and the whole country. In particular, since July 1, 2025, the merger of Can Tho City with Hau Giang and Soc Trang provinces has contributed to enriching the potential, diversifying tourism products, opening up many opportunities for strong development in the future.

In the coming time, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Can Tho City will review the tourist areas and spots in the area to have orientation, maximize the potential, advantages, and exploit tourism resources in the new development space. Advise and propose to the leaders to have policies and mechanisms to increase investment attraction to develop river ecotourism. The locality will also focus on cooperation in tourism development with other localities, promoting the central role of the Mekong Delta region.

PHUNG DUNG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/khai-thac-tiem-nang-du-lich-sinh-thai-post901051.html