Expanding space, promoting local tourism development

Diversified tourism resources

Can Tho , Hau Giang and Soc Trang are part of the Mekong Delta Western Tourism Cluster, which has had close links and cooperation in tourism development over the years. Each province and city has promoted the value of its resources with clear tourism product orientations and unique characteristics.

Fruit garden at Song Hau Farm (Can Tho). Photo: KIEU MAI

Can Tho is focusing on promoting its potential, strengths and developing tourism types and products such as conference and seminar tourism (MICE); eco-tourism, river tourism; cultural tourism and culinary tourism... Of these, MICE tourism is the main product. Currently, Can Tho has more than 630 accommodation establishments with more than 11,000 rooms, including more than 130 hotels from 1 to 5 stars with more than 5,000 rooms. At the same time, the diverse connecting traffic system: Can Tho International Airport, the main highways Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho - Ca Mau and Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang, the river port system... are suitable conditions to promote the development of MICE tourism. In addition, river and ecological tourism products are also the strength of Tay Do. Floating markets, orchards and the system of islands and islets on the river are exploited in a variety of tours and routes to experience the river life of the people in the Southwest region. Notable destinations include Cai Rang floating market, Son islet, Tan Loc islet... combined with more than 60 eco-tourism and garden areas and spots.

Tourists visit Ngoc Dao goat milk farm (Hau Giang). Photo: KIEU MAI

Meanwhile, Hau Giang aims to develop tourism based on its potential advantages in agriculture, ecology, rivers, etc. Hau Giang determines the development focus to be river cultural tourism associated with activities of visiting floating markets, experiencing river culture; developing agricultural tourism associated with experiences, sightseeing, scientific research; community tourism associated with activities of experiencing indigenous culture of Hau Giang river residents, cultural identity of Khmer ethnic people, etc. Therefore, Hau Giang focuses on investing in exploiting 2 typical local tourism highlights: tourism on Xa No canal, Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve and neighboring areas. In particular, Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve has an area of over 2,800 hectares, has high biodiversity value, suitable for developing eco-tourism, experience, exploring wild nature, scientific research, environmental education and resort tourism associated with nature... Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve is also one of 61 areas and points planned to become national tourist areas.

Soc Trang stands out with many festivals, unique architectural works, fertile islands with fruit gardens and coastal mangrove ecosystems. The potential allows Soc Trang to develop diverse products: spiritual cultural tourism, festival - culinary cultural tourism, river and garden tourism, marine eco-tourism... In which, spiritual cultural tourism products and marine eco-tourism have created a unique feature for Soc Trang. Specifically, in Soc Trang there is a diverse system of ancient pagodas with unique architectures: Mahatup (Bat Pagoda), Kh'leang, Botum Vong Sa Som Rong, Dat Set, Peam Buol Thmay... suitable for building experience routes. In addition, Tran De beach, Ho Be beach, Dung island all have unique experiences of marine ecosystems and mangrove forests.

Shaping unique products from new tourism spaces

Can Tho, Hau Giang and Soc Trang all have their own strengths to develop tourism. In the past, the localities also faced difficulties when their resources were not fully exploited. For example, floating markets are a tourism resource that needs to be studied and promoted to create a unique product for Can Tho City after the merger.

Cai Rang floating market (Can Tho), Nga Bay floating market (Hau Giang) and Nga Nam floating market (Soc Trang) have a history closely linked to the formation process of each region. If well-organized, floating market tourism products will create outstanding tourism products for the region. Each floating market has a similar and different form and method of operation, creating an attractive story in tourism if properly and appropriately invested. For example, Cai Rang floating market sells wholesale, while Nga Nam floating market sells retail... If in the past, the story of organizing tourism products revolving around floating markets was difficult, now that the space has expanded, the product development can be shaped and more colorful. Specifically, the Xa No canal of the Can Tho and Hau Giang river route is exploited by Hai Au Tourist Can Tho under the theme "Rice Road". This journey explores floating markets, craft villages, factories related to the rice industry and agricultural products of the West. Along with that are quite unique experiences about the culture of the Mekong Delta. Thus, expanding the space will create conditions for businesses and tourism units to create new products, promoting the value of local resources.

Another common point is ecotourism products. The ecotourism product systems of Can Tho, Hau Giang and Soc Trang all have different colors and highlights. Can Tho develops ecotourism associated with the community, notably Son islet, garden spots in Phong Dien; Hau Giang has strengths in agricultural tourism and Lung Ngoc Hoang nature reserve; and Soc Trang has a diverse ecosystem of sea and mangrove forests in Mo O, Ho Be, Dung islet... With these resources, if properly oriented and well exploited, they will create unique ecotourism products. Specifically, river tourism routes by canoe, yacht with accommodation.

Experience “going hunting”, a profession for a living in Mo O, Soc Trang. Photo: Contributor

Agricultural tourism is also considered a strength of Can Tho, Hau Giang and Soc Trang. The three localities have many famous farms for tourism, such as Bao Gia Farm Camping (Hau Giang), Ngoc Dao goat milk farm (Hau Giang), Con Son Agricultural Tourism Cooperative (Can Tho), Song Hau Farm (Can Tho), Dung Islet (Soc Trang)... Each destination has its own characteristics of local agriculture. Thus, if tourism product development is done well, there will be unique experiences with its own mark.

In addition, festivals are also considered as highlights to create tourism products of the three localities. This area currently has major festivals such as the Southern Traditional Cake Festival (Can Tho) and the Ok-Om-Bok Festival - Ngo Boat Racing (Soc Trang) which have shaped the brand over many years. Can Tho, Hau Giang and Soc Trang are lands with many unique cultural features, possessing many unique indigenous festivals that can be built into festival tourism products.

In fact, the expansion of administrative boundaries will create conditions for the development of tourism space. Based on the similarities and differences of the three localities, Can Tho City after the merger can shape and build typical tourism products, promote the value of local resources, and gradually promote tourism development.

AI LAM

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/mo-rong-khong-gian-thuc-day-du-lich-dia-phuong-phat-trien-a187691.html