Support for rural tourism

Many rural tourist destinations in Da Nang are still facing difficulties and urgently need supportive policies to ensure stable and sustainable development.

Some rural tourism models in Da Nang are operating on an annual land lease basis, causing difficulties for the operators and discouraging them from investing in upgrades. Photo: QUOC TUAN

Not yet commensurate with potential

Da Nang city currently boasts over 150 ecotourism, community-based tourism, and rural agricultural tourism resources, forming a crucial foundation for the development of ecotourism, community-based tourism, and rural agricultural tourism products. Alongside these achievements, those operating in this sector also face numerous challenges in maintaining and developing services, as well as building destination brands. Due to the immense development potential but limited support resources, investment in rural tourism in the locality (especially in the former Quang Nam province) is quite scattered and lacks focus.

Depending on the specific characteristics of each destination, common challenges facing rural tourism in Da Nang include: previous planning lacked direction for rural tourism development; inadequate and weak infrastructure (especially in mountainous areas); tourism services focusing only on simple experiences; and weak linkages between stakeholders, particularly a lack of support from travel agencies. Some destinations, considered promising, will actually only receive a very modest number of visitors in 2025. For example, Cam Phu community tourism village (300 visitors) and Bho Hoong community tourism village (225 visitors)...

According to Ms. Do Thi Huyen Tram, Director of Hoa Bac Ecological Agriculture and Community Tourism Cooperative (Hai Van Ward), the capacity of the people is a pillar of community tourism. It is important to understand that community tourism is not about bringing people into tourism, but about bringing tourism into the community and the development of the people. There needs to be a specific support mechanism for community-based learning tourism, and local communities should be viewed as development partners, not just beneficiaries.

A long-standing obstacle in the development of rural tourism is the legal "bottleneck" regarding agricultural land. According to Ms. Le Thi Thanh Nga, founder of Lo Gach Cu farmstay (Nam Phuoc commune), models like Lo Gach Cu are bringing new life to rural areas, but are still operating with anxiety due to the annual land lease mechanism. Ms. Nga suggested that a pilot mechanism should be studied to allow the conversion of experiential accommodation models (Glamping, Farmstay) on agricultural land with a commitment to strict environmental protection. If this mechanism is implemented, it will create a foundation for investors to confidently invest in rural tourism.

Initiating support policies

In the coming period, the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism identifies the development of community tourism, ecotourism, and agricultural and rural tourism as one of its important orientations, linked to the goal of effectively exploiting local resources, preserving traditional cultural values, and improving sustainable livelihoods for the people.

The village of Đh'Rôồng (Đông Giang commune) is expected to receive very few visitors in 2025 and awaits active support to maintain its vibrancy as a tourist destination. Photo: QUỐC TUẤN

According to Mr. Van Ba ​​Son, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in 2026 the department will advise the City People's Committee to issue projects as a basis for implementing community tourism and ecotourism development in the area.

The focus is on the "Project for the Development of Community Tourism, Agricultural and Rural Tourism in Da Nang City for the period 2026-2030, with a vision to 2035," aiming to create unique tourism products linked to rural landscapes, ecological zones, and the cultural life of local communities. Alongside this are projects on preserving and promoting cultural heritage values, preserving and promoting festivals; a project to develop policies supporting the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities; and a project to develop tourism in Song Thanh National Park…

In addition, authorities will strengthen support and advice for communes and wards with tourism resources and potential in developing ecotourism, community-based tourism, and agricultural and rural tourism projects that are suitable to the actual conditions of each locality. Alongside the development of tourism products, the conservation and promotion of heritage values ​​will continue to be emphasized, focusing on preserving and restoring the system of 560 historical sites and 26 intangible cultural heritage items in the area, while also investing in the restoration of traditional cultural festivals and cultural festivals of ethnic minorities.

Mr. Van Ba ​​Son stated that, in order for policies to be put into practice, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism proposed that the City People's Committee provide budgetary support for each project, to fund the hiring of consulting experts, organize training, and transfer technology to effectively implement projects for the development of agricultural and rural tourism, especially in ethnic minority and mountainous areas. At the same time, he suggested that the city consider establishing a Startup Support Fund to create favorable conditions for organizations and individuals to invest in the development of eco-tourism, community tourism, and agricultural and rural tourism, contributing to diversifying tourism products and promoting sustainable tourism development in Da Nang in the future.

Tourism activities linked to agriculture and rural areas in Da Nang city have attracted more than 4,000 participating households and approximately 4,500 direct workers and 10,000 indirect workers by 2025. Total revenue from agricultural and rural tourism in 2025 is estimated to reach over 300 billion VND.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/tro-luc-cho-du-lich-nong-thon-3321296.html