Opening up opportunities for rural tourism.

(Baonghean) - Around the world, agricultural tourism has been developing in many countries since the 1980s and 1990s. This is a very effective form of exporting agricultural products locally, while also showcasing to visitors the beauty of labor, the richness of culture, and the humanistic values ​​of farmers in each country and region. In Vietnam, agricultural tourism is also being exploited by many provinces and cities to serve tourists. Our province has rich potential to develop this type of tourism, but it is currently being wasted...

Rice planting competition in Quy Chau. Photo: Tran Ngoc Lan

Nghe An province enjoys a favorable geographical location in terms of air, road, and water transport, and is one of the important gateways of the East-West economic corridor connecting Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam with the East Sea via the Nam Can and Thanh Thuy border gates. Nghe An covers an area of ​​16,648.9 km², with two-thirds of the province's area being hilly and mountainous. Agricultural land accounts for over 60% of the province's total area, concentrated in the plains, midlands, and mountainous regions. The rural areas of Nghe An province possess diverse and abundant natural resources, including many historical sites, scenic spots, and unique customs and traditions. Two-thirds of the province's festivals are concentrated in this area, particularly valuable intangible cultural heritage, most notably the Vi and Giam folk songs – a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity – which have been formed in the daily lives of the farmers of Nghe An. 70% of the population lives in rural areas. The proportion of workers in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries in the total workforce is approximately 60%. However, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries only account for about 25% of the province's economic structure. Workers in the agricultural sector have lower average incomes compared to other professions.

It can be said that Nghe An has favorable conditions for developing rural tourism, contributing to poverty reduction, increasing people's income, improving social welfare, and shifting the local economic structure. Exploiting and developing rural tourism not only brings profits to tourism businesses but also creates jobs and income for local people, while contributing to preserving and promoting national cultural identity. However, currently, we are wasting many agricultural products that could be exploited as unique tourism products, extending the length of visitors' stays.

Sunflower season in Nghia Dan. Photo: Phan Van Toan

So what are the solutions for developing rural tourism from the perspective of sustainable development of ecological zones linked to culture, society, and the environment in Nghe An province?

First and foremost, we need to change our perspective on rural tourism, viewing it as an important direction within the national target program for building new rural areas, attracting rural development capital to develop infrastructure, landscapes, and the environment for tourism.

Furthermore, active involvement from multiple levels, organizations, and associations is necessary: ​​People's Committees at all levels play a crucial role in guiding local tourism development through the Department of Tourism, the Tourism Office, the Tourism Development Support Board, and the Cooperative Alliance via specific programs and plans. Local authorities support private sector efforts (public-private partnerships). Organizations such as the Women's Union and the Farmers' Association play an exemplary leading role in mobilizing community members to participate in tourism development.

In the current context, farmers need to develop tourism independently, taking initiative to leverage the advantages and potential of their localities in terms of landscapes and traditional cultural products. On the other hand, travel companies must actively organize and connect tours and routes; participate in promotion and advertising to attract tourists; and organize training for the community on experience, service style, and foreign language skills.

Traditional brocade weaving of the Thai ethnic people in Tan Thang commune (Quynh Luu district). Photo: Tran To

Furthermore, cuisine is a crucial element attracting tourists in tourism in general and rural tourism in particular. Therefore, it is necessary to build and develop a system of tourist restaurants linked to tourist destinations. Besides meeting market demands, restaurants should be developed based on traditional provincial dishes such as freshwater eel, Nam Nghia tamarind, and Cau Don goat meat, ensuring food safety and hygiene. The service style should also develop towards a cultural culinary experience. In addition to food quality, restaurants should also pay attention to design and layout that reflects the province's unique cultural atmosphere.

Rural tourism activities need to be closely linked to agricultural production, therefore, restructuring the local livestock and crop farming sectors (oranges, passion fruit, etc.) is necessary. Technical guidance should be provided to encourage people to engage in self-sufficient agricultural production. In particular, developing and preserving indigenous products is crucial to creating a local food supply, reducing costs, and producing distinctive regional agricultural products that can be processed into unique tourism offerings.

Strengthening efforts to encourage businesses, along with the government, to invest in infrastructure, facilities, and tourism products in rural areas will facilitate linkages between villages and tourist attractions. Continuous innovation and differentiation are key; strengthening vertical and horizontal linkages will enrich the product offerings. Tourists visiting these destinations can participate in the production of products such as embroidery, brocade weaving, baking, cooking, or engage in agricultural activities with local people. Following this, small-scale trading activities will take place, thereby increasing local income while providing colorful and enriching experiences for visitors.

Traditional pottery village in Tru Son commune (Do Luong district). Photo: Tran Canh Yen

Travel companies need to collaborate with farmers to develop tourism and establish appropriate profit-sharing mechanisms to ensure benefits for the people; integrating programs (National Target Program for New Rural Development), socio-economic development projects in remote areas, and exploiting tourism resources in conjunction with poverty alleviation, all aligned with the principles and criteria of community-based tourism development, is of practical significance.

At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen the role of state management to plan and direct the implementation of tourism development based on the principle of linking tourism development with the protection of natural resources, the environment, and traditional culture...

With its existing potential, Nghe An has the full capacity to become an attractive rural tourism destination. Developing a specific rural tourism program must be based on fundamental elements, including the geographical features, characteristic landscapes of the destination, natural resources, people, traditional customs, and especially on innovative thinking and the determination of leaders at all levels.

Thanh Nam