Developing rural tourism associated with cultural preservation

Delegates visit OCOP products at the forum. (Photo: LINH BAO)

The forum brings together representatives of provinces, cities, tourism associations, travel businesses, cooperatives and OCOP entities to jointly build a regional network in agricultural and rural tourism.

In the context of Vietnam's tourism industry making efforts to diversify products, improve service quality and strengthen regional connectivity for sustainable development, agricultural-rural tourism is a potential direction, not only contributing to promoting cultural identity and working life of local communities, but also contributing to creating livelihoods, promoting economic transformation and preserving traditional values.

However, the connection and promotion have not yet been as effective as expected. Therefore, the forum promises to bring multi-dimensional perspectives, practical contributions and specific cooperation commitments, creating an important premise for the sustainable development of agricultural and rural tourism in the coming time.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Tien, Director of the Center for Agricultural Trade Promotion, spoke at the forum.

According to Ms. Pham Thi My Phung, Vice Chairwoman of the People's Committee of Tan Tay Commune, Tay Ninh Province, from 2020, the apricot growing craft village of Tan Tay Commune was recognized as a craft village. By 2023, the Provincial People's Committee approved the Project to develop the apricot growing craft village of Tan Tay Commune in association with the development of tourism in Tay Ninh (formerly Long An) until 2030.

In particular, Tan Tay apricot growing village has also built two rural tourism models including "Ba Thuy Hundred Lucks" and a rural tourism spot at Mr. Tran Huu Phuoc's family. This further affirms that the rural tourism model in Tan Tay apricot growing village is gradually taking shape.

“Not only developing tourism and entertainment services, Tan Tay also has souvenir products bearing the unique mark of the land of yellow apricot growing. Beaded bracelets made from apricot wood with different designs and patterns are “favorite” products of customers inside and outside the province,” said Ms. Pham Thi My Phung.

However, the rural tourism model in Tan Tay commune still faces many difficulties and shortcomings, especially in the promotion and advertising stages. The craft village lacks a synchronous communication strategy and has not fully exploited its cultural values. Although the apricot village has many cultural potentials, the tourism products are only at the basic experience level, not deeply exploiting the unique cultural values of the craft village.

At the forum, Mr. Duong Minh Binh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CBT Travel, said that Vietnam's rural community tourism has a lot of potential, but most current models have not yet achieved the expected results.

Mr. Duong Minh Binh emphasized that rural tourism is on the rise as more and more tourists want to find peace, indigenous culture and nature. To attract and develop sustainably, the model needs a clear strategy, professional operation and exploitation of the unique values of the local community.

“Localities need to take advantage of existing, unique, and environmentally friendly materials to create unique tourism products. In addition, localities need to improve service quality, service attitude, and develop value-added activities,” said Mr. Duong Minh Binh.

Through the presentations of delegates and experts, the forum promoted cooperation between provinces and cities in building typical agricultural and rural tourism products and forming sustainable tourism value chains as well as promoting agricultural and rural tourism promotion activities associated with the Rural Tourism Development Program in new rural construction.

In addition, the forum also contributes to promoting and connecting typical rural tourism models with the system of travel agencies and promoting regional linkages in developing agricultural and rural tourism.

Mr. Duong Minh Binh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CBT Travel, spoke at the forum.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Tien, Director of the Agricultural Trade Promotion Center (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) emphasized: "The Agricultural Trade Promotion Center always identifies the successful promotion and advertising of OCOP products and agricultural and rural tourism models as an important step, a passport for tourists to explore the rich Vietnamese countryside."

Mr. Nguyen Minh Tien believes that the cooperation between the State, enterprises and the community will create a strong, sustainable and rich agricultural tourism ecosystem; making agricultural and rural tourism one of the new growth drivers, effectively contributing to the new rural development program; turning agricultural resources into high-value tourism experiences. That is the way to help Vietnam's rural areas make a sustainable breakthrough.

THANH PHONG-Linh Bao

Source: https://nhandan.vn/phat-trien-du-lich-nong-thon-gan-voi-bao-ton-van-hoa-post928272.html