In recent years, the Mekong Delta region and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) have joined forces to harness the potential of ecotourism, paving the way for sustainable development and collaborative initiatives. Through a comprehensive survey program aimed at identifying key ecotourism destinations, this collaborative effort aims to actualize the Memorandum of Understanding on tourism development cooperation between HCMC and the 13 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta.
Exploration and Evaluation:
Over two days from October 20th to 21st, a delegation embarked on a journey to explore and evaluate ecotourism destinations and programs linking HCMC with the Mekong Delta provinces and cities, focusing on Hau Giang and Soc Trang.
In Hau Giang, the delegation visited the headquarters of the Southwest Joint Provincial Revolutionary Committee, Nga Bay Floating Market, Melon Garden Ecotourism Model, and Mua Xuan Ecotourism Area.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Hau Giang Province, highlighted the province’s welcoming attitude toward tourism and expressed hope for increased collaboration with travel agencies and tour companies, particularly those from HCMC.
Moving forward, the tourism sector in Hau Giang Province aims to leverage its culinary strengths and enhance the quality of its offerings to cater to both domestic and international tourists effectively.
Moreover, local authorities successfully organized the Ao Ba Ba Festival for the first time in 2023, with plans to develop it into an annual event to stimulate tourism demand.
According to Mr. Pham Van Dau, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Soc Trang Province, the survey program and conference are part of the efforts to implement the tourism development cooperation agreement between HCMC and the Mekong Delta in 2023.
The delegation’s expedition spanned both established and emerging tourism destinations within the province. Sites like Phong Nam Islet offered immersive experiences in community-based tourism, orchards, and eco-tourism activities. Additionally, they indulged in traditional art performances and cultural exchanges at Gao Te Restaurant and Que Market, accompanied by the mesmerizing melodies of Don Ca Tai Tu music.
Ms. Pham Thi Thuy Diem, representing the Organizing Committee of Que Market on Cua Dung Islet, Soc Trang Province, shared that following the successful inaugural edition, Que Market is now a monthly fixture on the last Saturday of each month, featuring approximately 30 booths showcasing local specialties and OCOP products.
Through this survey, the Organizing Committee hopes to garner interest from travel agencies and tour companies in incorporating this destination into their tours, as well as aiding in its promotion to domestic and international tourists.
Mr. Le Diep Thanh Tung, Director of Saigon Hon Ngoc Limited Liab
Therefore, Soc Trang hopes that the business community can experience firsthand the potential products and tourist destinations in the area, fostering collaboration between local businesses and management agencies to develop single and multi-destination tourism products, contributing positively to regional and national tourism development.
Mr. Pham Van Dau pledged that the provincial tourism sector would continue to facilitate business communities in exploring and experiencing new tourism products and models. Therefore, travel agencies and tour companies from various provinces and cities can choose suitable destinations for their customers and participate in research to develop local tourism supply chains based on the unique characteristics of Soc Trang’s people, culture, and cuisine.
Potential Ecotourism Sites:
The delegation explored both existing and potential tourism destinations in the province, including Phong Nam Islet, where they experienced community-based tourism, orchards, and eco-tourism activities. They also enjoyed traditional art performances and cultural exchanges at Gao Te Restaurant and Que Market, accompanied by Don Ca Tai Tu music.
Ms. Pham Thi Thuy Diem, representative of the Organizing Committee of Que Market on Cua Dung Islet, Soc Trang Province, shared that after the successful first edition, Que Market is now held every Saturday of the last week of the month, featuring approximately 30 booths showcasing local specialties and OCOP products.
Through this survey, the Organizing Committee hopes that travel agencies and tour companies will show interest in incorporating this destination into their tours and support in promoting it to domestic and international tourists.
Mr. Le Diep Thanh Tung, Director of Saigon Hon Ngoc Limited Liability Tourism Company, emphasized the need for infrastructure improvement, especially waterway transportation, to create a friendly and lively atmosphere at tourist destinations in the Mekong Delta.
He stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between local tourism authorities and travel companies to attract and bring tourists to the region. Provinces and cities should focus on developing distinctive products that reflect the local identity while ensuring standardized accommodation facilities.
Mr. Nguyen Anh Khoa, Head of the Business Department of Sao Mai Binh Thuan Tourism Company, suggested that to avoid competing with other regions, each province and city in the Mekong Delta should innovate its tourism products and services, enhance single and multi-destination tourism connectivity, and focus on well-established destinations known to tourists.
Conclusion:
The Mekong Delta region holds immense ecotourism potential, but it also faces challenges such as climate change and environmental protection issues. Therefore, localities in the region must highlight the unique values of their homeland and engage every citizen as a tourism ambassador.
Local tourism sectors should develop a strategic approach to tourism development aligned with the national trend of green tourism, focusing on planning, product development, and efficient utilization of regional advantages.
Regarding tourism in Hau Giang and Soc Trang provinces, Mr. Phan Dong Nhut, representing HCMC’s Department of Tourism, emphasized the importance of offering specific products that interest travel agencies, tour companies, or organizers.