The aspiration to reach new heights through ecotourism.

Phu Lam commune (Dong Nai province) was formed by merging five communes: Phu Son, Phu Trung, Thanh Son, Phu Binh, and Phu Lam of Tan Phu district (formerly), with a population of nearly 63,000 people and a natural area of ​​over 6,736 hectares.

Beautiful and peaceful scenery at Da Ton Lake (Phu Lam commune). Photo: Doan Phu

Based on that foundation, Phu Lam commune is orienting its socio -economic development along the trade and service axis, linked with the shift in crop structure towards high-value crops and gradually unlocking the potential of ecotourism. Key attractions such as Da Ton Lake, the Hung Vuong Ancestor Temple, and the Hoa Binh Waterfall - Linh Phu Pagoda are forming the "framework" for this development orientation.

Da Ton Lake - a unique local landscape

With a surface area of ​​approximately 350 hectares, Da Ton Lake is not only an important irrigation project providing water for agricultural production in the locality and surrounding areas, but also a distinctive landscape highlight of Phu Lam. The Da Ton Lake dam is breezy, and surrounding its base are golden rice fields interspersed with lush orchards, creating a peaceful and vibrant rural scene.

Da Ton Hamlet, Phu Lam Commune (located near the lake area) has a natural area of ​​over 932 hectares, of which 466 hectares are used for rice cultivation, fruit trees, and industrial crops. The hamlet is covered in green by planted forests on the rolling hills. Mr. Bui Van Phuong (76 years old, residing in Group 4), who visited Da Ton Hamlet in 1978, recounted: When they first migrated, his family and other households cleared some land on the other side of the Da Ton Lake irrigation dam to plant rice and other crops. In 1987, the Da Ton Lake irrigation project came into operation, causing that land to be flooded and returned to the project's management. His current 1.3 hectares of durian, banana, pond, rambutan, coconut, and rice fields are land that was transferred to him by people who settled outside the Phuong Lam market area (Phu Lam Commune) before 1975.

With the construction of the Da Ton irrigation dam, the land where Mr. Bui Van Phuong and nearly 510 households in Da Ton hamlet live has become a valley with three-crop rice fields and lush crops thanks to the accumulated alluvial soil and abundant irrigation water from the upstream canal system. The lives of the people in Da Ton hamlet have been revitalized as Phu Lam commune continuously invests in infrastructure (electricity, schools, roads, cultural facilities, etc.), loans, science and technology, and education through new rural development programs, advanced new rural development programs, and model rural development programs. As a result, the residential area has become bright, green, clean, beautiful, and civilized.

Mr. Pham Van Thanh, Head of the Fatherland Front Committee of Da Ton Hamlet, Phu Lam Commune, expressed his delight when asked about the Da Ton Lake eco-tourism project, which the local authorities are actively promoting for investment. Mr. Thanh explained: "The Da Ton hamlet area is currently included in the planning for the Da Ton Lake eco-tourism project. Local residents are proactively renovating their houses, gardens, and landscapes, ready to cooperate with the government to seize this investment opportunity."

Da Ton Lake, a highlight of ecotourism development in Phu Lam commune. Photo: Contributor.

Many farmers in Phu Lam commune are developing orchards with fruit trees that bear fruit year-round, welcoming visitors to come and enjoy the produce. Photo: Doan Phu

Opening up avenues for ecotourism development.

According to the planning orientation of Phu Lam commune, Da Ton hamlet has been selected by the local authorities as a focal point in the planning of the Da Ton Lake eco-tourism development project. Deputy Chairman of Phu Lam Commune People's Committee, Do Xuan Hoa, stated: The Da Ton Lake eco-tourism project is planned with an area of ​​1,100 hectares, located in the northwest of the commune. This area mainly consists of low hills surrounding Da Ton Lake, and is connected to the Phu Lam - Thanh Son and Phu Xuan - Phu An roads leading to National Highway 20 and the Dau Giay - Tan Phu expressway access road, making it very suitable for investment in a resort and commercial-service tourism complex.

The Phu Lam commune government has been decisively and comprehensively implementing solutions, closely adhering to practical realities to bring the Resolution of the First Party Congress of the commune, term 2025-2030, into practice. They are determined to maximize the local potential and advantages, building Phu Lam commune into a strong commercial and service hub, strengthening the development of industry and small-scale handicrafts… creating a foundation for the effective development of sustainable agriculture, organic agriculture, and high-tech agriculture.

Chairman of Phu Lam Commune People's Committee PHAM THANH HAI

The Hung Vuong Ancestor Temple area is planned with an area of ​​over 90 hectares, and the Hoa Binh Waterfall - Linh Phu Pagoda scenic area covers more than 30 hectares, located in the northeast of the commune. Its location, adjacent to National Highway 20 and connecting to the Dau Giay - Tan Phu expressway, makes it suitable for developing heritage, ecological, and service tourism.

According to Do Xuan Hoa, Vice Chairman of the Phu Lam Commune People's Committee, Phu Lam is not only focusing on the aforementioned key projects but also proactively creating a "foundation space" for tourism by developing large-scale agriculture. Specifically, the commune has established fruit tree (durian, oranges, tangerines) and industrial crop (coffee, pepper, agarwood) growing areas covering over 4,000 hectares; and nearly 2,200 hectares of rice paddies with three harvests per year, linked to beautiful landscaped fields in the hamlets of Da Ton, Thanh Trung, Phu Hop B, and Thanh Tho 3.

Discussing the local policy on developing ecotourism, Chairman of Phu Lam Commune People's Committee Pham Thanh Hai emphasized: Phu Lam is proactively "rolling out the red carpet," creating a favorable environment to attract businesses and investors to exploit its existing potential, including the development of ecotourism. The locality also clearly defines that tourism development is inseparable from agriculture but must complement and enhance each other's value. Accordingly, tourism products will be diversified towards ecotourism, experiential tourism, culinary tourism, and ethnic culture; while simultaneously promoting digital transformation, building a digital tourism map, and promoting the local image on online platforms.

The people of Da Ton hamlet in particular, and Phu Lam commune in general, always hope that their land, orchards, and rice fields will not only yield high income but also welcome visitors from all over to enjoy the picturesque scenery, sample local fruits and specialties, and experience the hospitality of the people here.

Mr. NGUYEN XUAN THANH (residing in Da Ton hamlet, Phu Lam commune)

Doan Phu

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/phong-su-ky-su/202604/khat-vong-vuon-tam-tu-du-lich-sinh-thai-0db473b/