New momentum for the "smokeless industry"

Improving the quality of ecotourism
Ca Mau tourism businesses determined to accompany, hoping for breakthroughs
Ca Mau organizes a series of activities in response to World Tourism Day 2025

Promoting identity

If in the past, Ca Mau was known as the land at the end of the Fatherland, often associated with the image of U Minh forest , fishermen clinging to the sea all year round or vast shrimp fields... now, that image has a new color, brighter, more diverse. Now, people not only live by farming and fishing, but also create a stable income from tourism. To speak confidently: tourism is gradually becoming the livelihood and driving force for family economic development for the people of Ca Mau.

Tourists take souvenir photos at the Ca Mau Cape Ship Symbol.

The good news is that this transformation did not come about suddenly or temporarily, but started from the perspective of appreciating and renewing the inherent values in the leadership and management process of all levels and sectors. Each traditional festival is held not only to preserve the old customs, but also as an opportunity for Ca Mau to "show off" to friends near and far about its unique culture, its generous, hospitable and affectionate people. Programs such as: Crab Festival, Shrimp Festival, Da Co Hoai Lang Festival or Southern Folk Cake Festival... have brought a new and rich tourism appearance while still maintaining its own character. That is the very "special" identity of the land at the end of the Fatherland.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Thanh, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, shared: "After the administrative boundary merger, the individual strengths of the two provinces of Bac Lieu and Ca Mau have merged into a common advantage, creating a new driving force for tourism in the province. We have both wild nature with forests, seas and islands , and deep culture, festivals and very friendly people. That is the foundation for positioning the Ca Mau tourism brand, not only in the Mekong Delta region but also on the national tourism map".

Tourists visit the "Model of building a traditional music club associated with forest village tourism" at Ca Mau Eco-tourism Area.

Indeed, if anyone has ever experienced U Minh forest by motorboat, breathing the fresh, sweet air of the cajuput scent, experiencing honey eating with the forest workers, watching the water surface reflecting each cajuput canopy, they will surely see that the seemingly ordinary things here have a strange attraction. Coming to Dat Mui, catching crabs with the locals, setting nets for brown fish, sea bass, fishing for mudskippers, crabs or enjoying the specialties but rustic... then sitting listening to traditional music by the fire of glowing charcoal, then realizing that traveling to Ca Mau is not just about going - seeing - taking pictures, but a journey of feeling, bonding and loving.

Making their own mark in the community direction, associated with people's livelihoods, many households in remote areas, especially in Dat Mui, U Minh Ha have proactively implemented homestay models, eco-tourism, experiential tourism... Each year, these models welcome thousands of visitors, helping people earn more income, improve their lives while still maintaining traditional lifestyles. Young people who previously had to leave their hometowns to find work can now stay to work as tour guides, restaurant servers, cruise ship drivers, media workers... The tourism industry, in that way, is keeping people with a real, promising future.

In the 2021-2025 term, despite being heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, Ca Mau tourism still recorded a rapid and impressive recovery. Figures such as more than 9.5 million visitors and nearly 13,500 billion VND in total tourism revenue show that the development is not only quantitative but also qualitative and in-depth. Each activity and event is organized methodically, creating a buzz and a positive image of the land that is changing every day.

Tourists visit the Southern Traditional Music and Musician Cao Van Lau Memorial Site. Photo: HUU THO

Not only nature and culture, Ca Mau also takes full advantage of the green transformation trend. Wind power projects in Hoa Binh, Nha Mat... now not only produce energy, but are also check-in spots that attract a large number of tourists. Images of giant propellers stretching out in the vast sea and sky, appearing more and more on social networks, are contributing to creating a new symbol for Ca Mau tourism: modern, sustainable, and environmentally friendly.

“ We not only preserve existing values, but also proactively turn them into valuable tourism products. Ecotourism, community tourism, cultural and festival tourism... are clearly defined directions. More importantly, we are making efforts to bring technology and digital transformation into the tourism industry to both manage effectively and serve tourists better," Mr. Nguyen Quoc Thanh added.

Sustainable tourism development

In the 2025-2030 term, the province aims to develop tourism in a fast, sustainable and effective direction. Numbers such as 11.5 million visitors or 14,200 billion VND in total tourism revenue are not the only destination, but a milestone for a long journey. More importantly, how to make every citizen and every community see the benefits of tourism. From there, proactively join hands to preserve the environment, preserve identity and develop together.

Over the years, Ca Mau tourism industry has not gone it alone. Each activity has received the consensus of the entire political system, from the province to the grassroots. All levels and sectors have joined together, closely coordinated, promptly resolved difficulties, created an open environment to attract businesses and call for investment.

Ca Mau Eco Tourist Area with rich night activities.

The valuable thing is that in this process, the voice of the people is not forgotten. From the idea of building tourism products, organizing tours and routes to preserving landscapes and the environment... there is the cooperation and contribution of the community.

With a solid foundation, a clear direction, and a high consensus of the political system and the people, Ca Mau tourism has the basis to make a breakthrough in the future. An economic sector once considered “soft” is now bringing very real values, making a practical contribution to the development of the homeland.

Tourism is the new spearhead in the development strategy of Ca Mau. A spearhead shaped by green forests, blue seas, typical festivals and warm smiles. A spearhead that is drawing a new face for the southernmost region - the end of the Fatherland./.

Hong Phuong

Source: https://baocamau.vn/suc-bat-moi-cho-nganh-cong-nghiep-khong-khoi-a123181.html