About Dong Thap to experience garden tourism

In the general orientation of Dong Thap, garden ecotourism continues to be identified as an important strength and spearhead of sustainable development. Improving product quality, developing infrastructure and improving the tourism environment are being implemented synchronously and drastically by the Party Committees and authorities of communes and wards.

GARDEN TOURISM IS ON THE BIRTHDAY

Each island, each commune and ward in Dong Thap has its own unique character, but all clearly demonstrate the efforts of the people and local authorities in promoting the strengths of natural landscapes, preserving river culture and developing livelihoods associated with community tourism.

Tourists experience sightseeing by rowing boat on Thoi Son islet.

Typically, Thoi Son Islet in Thoi Son Ward is considered one of the “golden spots” of garden tourism in the Southern region. The biggest advantage of Thoi Son is its strategic location, located in the middle of the vital connection route from Dong Thap province to Ho Chi Minh City and Vinh Long province.

Vice Chairwoman of Thoi Son Ward People's Committee Nguyen Thi Xuan Mai said: "Recently, Thoi Son Ward has promoted investment in tourism infrastructure, renovated wharves, implemented flower roads and improved the quality of public sanitation service points, aiming at the criteria of "Green - safe - friendly tourism", to increase attraction to domestic and foreign tourists".

The journey to discover Thoi Son Islet often begins with the excitement of tourists sitting on a motorboat crossing the vast Tien River. After that, the experience becomes more tranquil and unique when the rowboats weave through small canals, under the cool shade of water coconut trees. This feeling of relaxation, separated from the noisy city, is the "specialty" that makes the brand of garden tourism.

In addition to the boat-rowing experience, Thoi Son ward also develops a variety of community tourism models such as: Visiting four-season fruit gardens, enjoying wild honey at farms, listening to traditional music or having meals in cool garden houses. Some households said that the number of tourists on weekends and holidays has increased steadily over the years, creating a significant source of income and contributing to maintaining traditional occupations.

Tan Phong island residents introduce local products to tourists, contributing to sustainable tourism development.

The numbers speak for the stable attraction of Thoi Son Islet over the years. Currently, there are 5 green tourism companies, 19 tourist attractions, 56 handicraft and specialty stalls, 40 motorboats, 6 rowing boat routes with about 300 vehicles. In particular, the presence of 2 clubs and 6 amateur music groups, 2 horse-drawn carriage teams, along with dozens of food and homestay businesses shows that the tourism activities are organized in a relatively synchronous, rich and professional manner.

Similarly, the special highlight of Tan Phong Islet in Hiep Duc Commune, recently is the craft village of weaving water hyacinth and producing handicrafts. Some households shared that introducing the product making process, allowing tourists to try weaving, not only helps increase income, but also creates conditions to preserve the traditional craft that is at risk of disappearing. In addition, the area also develops a rowing boat service to take visitors to experience the countryside of the river.

Vice Chairman of Hiep Duc Commune People's Committee Tran Van Trung determined: "Ecotourism is the main direction, therefore, Hiep Duc Commune focuses on building a community tourism model associated with OCOP products, investing in upgrading internal roads and encouraging people to standardize homestay services in the direction of quality - identity - safety".

CHECK-IN FRUIT GARDEN

Dong Thap province has the advantage of fertile land and mild climate, constantly creating new experiential tourism models associated with agriculture, bringing tourists closer to village life. We came to Tan Phong islet, attracted by the experiential tourism model associated with village life.

The "kingdom" of Lai Vung grapefruit is full of fruit and is ready to welcome tourists.

Tan Phong is located in the middle of Tien River, with a dense system of canals and ditches, surrounded by fruit gardens full of fruit, especially rambutan. Visitors coming here can easily participate in many typical activities such as: Cycling through the garden, picking seasonal fruits, trying their hand at farming, or staying overnight at a homestay to fully experience the fresh air of the river delta.

Looking back to the source of the border, Ba Tuan Vineyard located in Long Khanh commune is an interesting destination for tourists when coming to the island. Grapes are known to be a plant variety that adapts to the hot and dry soil and climate of the South Central region.

However, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tuan successfully planted grapes on rice fields. To have a fruitful vineyard like today is the effort, hard work and all the dedication of the garden owner. Previously, Mr. Tuan went to Ninh Thuan province (now Khanh Hoa province) to learn about the soil, climate and learn grape growing techniques from farmers. Returning home, he improved the land and started planting the tri-color grape variety. After 5 months of planting, 1,000 grape trees on an area of 13,000 m² grew well, giving the first sweet fruit crop and officially opened the garden to tourists in 2022.

Visitors to Ba Tuan Vineyard can enjoy the open space, take photos, and harvest their own bunches of grapes in the garden. In addition, they can enjoy the clean grapes in the garden that are very crispy, moderately sweet, have a light aroma, and enjoy rustic dishes typical of the Mekong Delta. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tuan, owner of Ba Tuan Vineyard, said: "The first time it opened, the vineyard welcomed more than 1,000 visitors to visit, take photos, and buy grapes in the garden. Visitors here all feel comfortable, excited, and satisfied when visiting and enjoying rustic dishes right in the garden."

Currently, the “kingdom” of Lai Vung pink grapefruit in Dong Thap province is full of fruit, starting to ripen, turning from green to orange-yellow, the fruit is shiny and beautiful. Some gardeners exploit the service of visiting pink grapefruit gardens, attracting many tourists from near and far, contributing to promoting the specialty of Lai Vung pink grapefruit, while helping to develop the family economy.

These days, there are many tourists from inside and outside the province, wearing Ao Dai, Ao Ba Ba combined with scarves, conical hats, etc., tourists are passionately taking pictures with the pink tangerine trees bearing many large, shiny, yellow fruits that look quite eye-catching. The garden owner also designed miniature landscapes, bamboo bridges over the canal, sampans, etc. for tourists to experience and take pictures.

Mr. Doan Anh Kiet, owner of Hai Kiet pink tangerine garden tourist spot (Hoa Long commune) said: "This year, the 5,000 m2 tangerine garden was treated to harvest fruit in favorable weather, so the fruit is abundant and shiny. I opened the door to welcome visitors to visit, take photos, and serve food and picnics. I set aside an area for visitors to choose and pick their own pink tangerines to bring home as gifts for their relatives."

The communes and wards of Dong Thap province are gradually becoming bright spots of Western tourism, contributing to promoting the image of a peaceful, hospitable river land rich in cultural identity and full of development potential.

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