IPA

https://ipa.quangtri.gov.vn

Exploiting the potential for rural tourism development

Many natural potential and advantages have contributed to the development of agricultural and rural tourism in Quang Tri. In the 2022-2025 period of rural development, Quang Tri has also developed a plan to promote rural tourism to improve the material and spiritual lives of its people and shift the economic structure towards multi-value integration and sustainability.
 Huong Hoa district is becoming a popular destination for visitors with interesting agricultural tourism models. In the photo: Tourists experience selecting specialty coffee beans from the mountainous region of Quang Tri.
 
Positive signals from these models.
Recently, the mountainous district of Huong Hoa has become a popular destination for tourists exploring Quang Tri. This area, known for its many ecological and community tourism spots, features agricultural tourism models that offer visitors exciting experiences. Notable examples include Khe Sanh Valley Farm, PUN Coffee, and the OCOP tourism development model of the Tan Hop Agricultural Cooperative.

For many years, PUN Coffee's model in Huong Phung commune has provided economic opportunities for the Van Kieu ethnic group in the area. This business has made Khe Sanh Arabica coffee the top specialty coffee in Vietnam from 2021-2024 and ranked in the top 5 globally in 2023. They have also developed a business model combining coffee products with tourism services, contributing to the growth of high-quality agricultural tourism and significantly supporting the local ethnic community's economic development through agricultural tourism.
The OCOP-based tourism development model of the Tan Hop Agricultural Cooperative is also an attractive destination for both domestic and international tourists. The cooperative covers around 8 hectares of agricultural land, including 3 hectares of medicinal plants, 2 hectares of passion fruit, as well as orchards, flower gardens, and ornamental plants. They also grow organic vegetables for sale to locals and visitors. The investment in infrastructure to develop tourism has helped attract around 5,000 visitors annually for sightseeing and experiences. Similarly, the Khe Sanh Valley Farm model (in Khe Sanh Town) has become a popular stop for tourists, offering activities such as relaxation fishing, farming experiences, local cuisine tasting, and purchasing regional agricultural specialties. The tourism services based on agricultural products at Khe Sanh Valley Farm have proven successful, increasing income and promoting agricultural development for local families.
In addition to Huong Hoa district, the Dfarm model in Kim Thach commune, Vinh Linh district, has also begun to explore some tourism services, yielding promising results. Dfarm is an agricultural farm spanning over 5,000m², focusing on two main crops: melon and cantaloupe, which are popular in the market, along with green apples and black-skinned melons, all grown according to organic agricultural standards. Tra Loc swamp Ecotourism area in Hai Hung commune, Hai Lang district, has also received investments in transportation and infrastructure, making it an attractive destination for many visitors to come and experience.
According to the Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee's Rural Tourism Development Program for the 2022-2025 period, the goal is to have 1 to 3 rural tourism destinations recognized by 2025, linked to the region's advantages in agriculture, culture, handicrafts, or ecological environments. By this time, 50% of rural tourism businesses will meet the standards for serving tourists. The plan also aims to promote rural tourism development through digital transformation, with at least 50% of tourism sites digitized and connected to promotional and tourism websites using digital technology. Additionally, each rural district with tourism potential is expected to develop at least one agricultural tourism model as part of a tourism linkage chain.
 Tourists experience the "Khe Sanh Coffee Tour". Photo: Vietnam Agricultural Tourism Cooperative - Khe Sanh
 
Providing integrated support for the development of agricultural tourism
In the socio-economic development orientation for Quang Tri province during the 2021-2030 period, with a vision towards 2050, as outlined in Decision No. 1737/QĐ-TTg dated December 29, 2023, tourism is identified as a key economic sector. The tourism development plan includes four spaces: the coastal sand region and Con Co Island; the coastal wetland eco-tourism area; the urban and high plain tourism space; and the eco-tourism, community, and ethnic minority culture space in the midland and mountainous regions.
Among them, agricultural tourism will focus on development in the eco-tourism space of coastal wetlands, primarily along the eastern side of National Route 1 in coastal districts such as Vinh Linh, Gio Linh, Hai Lang, and Trieu Phong, as well as in the eco-tourism, community, and ethnic minority culture space in the midland and mountainous areas such as Cam Lo, Đakrong, and Huong Hoa.
Experts have noted that these areas have significant potential for the development of agricultural and rural tourism. These advantages include the sustainable structure of rural villages, which have been formed by clans and migratory groups for centuries; natural landscapes combined with cultural heritage related to local agriculture and production; and a diverse system of historical and cultural sites. Quang Tri province has identified key tourism products to develop ecological agricultural and rural tourism. This includes establishing high-tech agricultural farms, prioritizing the development of OCOP products, local specialties of Quang Tri, and traditional craft products to meet the shopping needs of tourists.
Despite the potential and advantages, there are still several challenges in attracting investment and developing rural tourism in Quang Tri. Local people have not fully recognized the value of agricultural tourism and face limitations in terms of cultural awareness, tourism etiquette, and service skills. The development of agricultural tourism is still somewhat spontaneous, seasonal, and lacks depth in some areas, with certain places following trends without a clear plan. This has led to many difficulties and limitations in the effective development of agricultural tourism.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Tan, Director of Quang Tri Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Agency, stated: "To develop agricultural and rural tourism, Quang Tri has identified focusing resources on developing New Rural Areas through the National Target Program for New Rural Development in the 2021-2025 period. In 2024, the province allocated more than 167.8 billion VND for the development plan of New Rural Areas, focusing on supporting collective economies, cooperatives, building infrastructure that meets New Rural standards, and developing agricultural and rural tourism points and products. The Center has also collaborated with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the People's Committee of Huong Hoa District, and the Khe Sanh Vietnam Agricultural Tourism Cooperative to develop the new tourism product "Khe Sanh Coffee Tour." Additionally, Quang Tri is working on projects to develop agricultural and rural tourism, creating a legal framework for these tourism types to grow. Our approach to developing agricultural and rural tourism is to attract investment, leverage local strengths to build tourism destinations and products that offer unique regional features, combining agricultural production culture, distinctive agricultural products, natural resources, and cultural and historical sites."

In recent years, Quang Tri Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Agency has implemented many activities to promote the development of agricultural tourism, particularly in Huong Hoa District. To raise awareness about agricultural tourism, the Center has organized workshops on community tourism and agricultural tourism, invited foreign experts for support, and coordinated with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to develop community tourism in Chenh Venh village, Huong Phung commune, Huong Hoa district. It has also supported local households growing and harvesting coffee to create the tourism product "Khe Sanh Coffee Tour."

Author: Son Thuy

Source: baovanhoa.vn

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