Agricultural production associated with experiential tourism

Director of Tien Yen Tea and Community Tourism Cooperative Bui Trong Dai introduces the tea growing model associated with experiential tourism.

Director of Tien Yen Tea and Community Tourism Cooperative Bui Trong Dai shared: “When it was established, the cooperative wanted to have a larger scale of operation and create more jobs and income for local people. But after being trained, visiting agricultural models associated with community tourism and experience, in 2023, I invested in infrastructure, renovated the campus, and officially operated in March 2025”. The cooperative has 3 hectares of tea growing according to organic standards. Coming here, tourists can hear about the process of planting, caring, harvesting, processing, go up the hill to pick tea with the people, dry the tea and process the finished products to bring home to enjoy. Up to now, the cooperative has attracted about 3 to 4 thousand visitors. Through agricultural production associated with experience tourism, profits increase by 20 to 25% compared to traditional tea production.

Due to the increasing demand, Muong Dong Agricultural and Commercial Cooperative, Muong Dong Commune ( Phu Tho ) is shifting to production associated with experiential tourism. The cooperative has the participation of 26 member farms with a citrus growing area of 147 hectares. Director of the Cooperative Nguyen Trung Huan said: "Currently, the demand for experiential tourism from families and foreign visitors is high, so production associated with tourism will be a potential direction to promote products and increase value. To ensure visitors can experience with peace of mind, all members agree to apply safe production processes, spray biological pesticides, set traps for harmful insects and butterflies, and use circular agricultural production to help clean the air."

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Thai Nguyen province, Duong Son Ha, the whole province currently has more than ten community tourism spots that bring about clear efficiency compared to traditional production. Many typical models have affirmed their effectiveness such as: Organic tea production associated with experiences in Tan Cuong and La Bang areas; experiential model at the Deer Breeding Cooperative of the Association of Veterans Trong Hung... These models not only bring economic value but also protect the environment, promote culture and create sustainable jobs for people.

There are currently about 584 agricultural and rural tourism models in operation nationwide. Tourist farms are concentrated in localities with advantages in resources and culture such as: Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, Lam Dong, Dong Thap, Can Tho... According to Head of the Department of Cooperative Economics and Farms (Department of Cooperative Economics and Rural Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) Nguyen Tien Dinh, the farm model combined with tourism has helped increase income from 15 to 30% for many farm owners, effectively diversifying livelihoods...

Currently, the number of farms doing tourism only accounts for 3 to 5% of the total of more than 27 thousand farms that meet the criteria of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. In addition, most of the agricultural tourism activities on farms are still spontaneous, small-scale, overlapping, and lacking planning associated with regional tourism space. 97% of farm workers have not been properly trained and their tourism service skills are limited; there is no clear legal framework for farms combined with tourism; many models have problems with land, construction, and environment; the value chain linkage is not yet strong; tourism products lack uniqueness, and have not fully exploited indigenous cultural resources... Even in Thai Nguyen, agricultural tourism is being paid attention to and implemented in many localities, but some places still lack systematic and connected ways to attract and retain tourists; human resources serving agricultural tourism are still lacking in quantity and weak in quality; Farmers participating in tourism exploitation and service activities for the first time are confused, lack information, and have weak skills; tourism products are still monotonous, lacking uniqueness and difference...

The Department of Economic Cooperation and Rural Development (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) believes that in order to expand and develop experiential tourism production in the coming time, it is necessary to support the construction of typical farms combined with tourism suitable to the specific agricultural products, culture and ethnicity of each locality; strengthen training in tourism skills for farms, cooperatives and people; establish tourism teams and groups in farms to welcome and guide tourists; etc. According to the Central Office for New Rural Areas Coordination, it is necessary to strengthen the integration of propaganda activities on agricultural and rural tourism with new rural construction; build tourism models that must be associated with unique, distinctive products with regional identity and characteristics to diversify experiences and increase value. On the other hand, localities need to promote the connection between agricultural and rural tourism and famous tourist destinations, forming "satellite destinations" with major tourist centers.

Article and photos: HOANG HUNG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/san-xuat-nong-nghiep-gan-voi-du-lich-trai-nghiem-post917884.html