Rural tourism before new opportunities

Leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Quang Nam province presented souvenirs to the Deputy Secretary General of UN Tourism. Photo: TL

Attending the conference were Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long and more than 300 domestic and international delegates representing national and local management agencies of member countries, international organizations, tourism communities and the private sector of about 50 countries and territories.

Tourism changes the face of the countryside

Rural Vietnam possesses a diverse range of unique cultural and natural heritages with many distinct values. These are valuable resources that provide distinct experiential values, contributing to attracting tourists to rural areas and positively contributing to the socio-economic development of this area.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong said that in recent years, Vietnam has paid attention to developing unique types and products of agricultural and rural tourism that can attract domestic and foreign tourists, bringing diversity in the provision of services for Vietnamese tourism, promoting tour connections, and expanding the space to welcome visitors to the countryside.

“On the contrary, rural tourism is also an important factor in promoting agricultural and rural development through livelihood transformation, promoting the consumption of agricultural products, and increasing people's income. At the same time, it supports the maintenance of traditional occupations, develops valuable local products, creates trust and attachment to the homeland and attracts investment in the agricultural and rural sectors,” said Deputy Minister Ho An Phong.

Conference scene. Photo: TL

Reality in recent years in Vietnam shows that tourism has contributed significantly to the process of changing the face of the country, turning many rural areas with limited development conditions into "livable countryside".

Rural tourism not only promotes socio-economic development, changes the rural economic structure but also preserves the values ​​of landscape, ecology, environment, and good traditional cultural identity. Thereby contributing to narrowing the income and enjoyment gap between rural and urban people.

In Quang Nam, agricultural and rural tourism began to form in the 2000s and has developed strongly since 2013. Tourist spots are distributed in most localities in the province with 126 agricultural and rural tourism resource points that have been counted.

Some prominent destinations include Thanh Ha Pottery Village, Tra Que Vegetable Village, Cam Thanh Bay Mau Coconut Forest, Kim Bong Carpentry Village (Hoi An City), Co Tu Community-Based Tourism Village (Nam Giang)... It is estimated that more than 30% of tourists coming to Quang Nam experience agricultural and rural tourism products.

Some notable highlights are the Bay Mau Coconut Forest - Cam Thanh tourist destination, attracting nearly 1 million visitors each year; Tra Que Vegetable Village attracts nearly 25,000 visitors in 2024. Recently, on November 14, 2024 in Colombia, Quang Nam was honored to receive an award from the United Nations Tourism Organization recognizing Tra Que Vegetable Village in Hoi An City as the Best Tourist Village in 2024.

For inclusive development

Implementing the Vietnam Tourism Development Strategy to 2030, the Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2045, Vietnam has approved the Rural Tourism Development Program in the construction of new rural areas for the period 2021 - 2025. Accordingly, the goal of rural tourism development is to promote the potential and advantages of agriculture, craft villages, culture and ecological environment of rural areas, contributing to the restructuring of the rural economy towards integration, inclusiveness and multi-value.

Tourists experience at Tra Que vegetable village. Photo: TL

On the part of the United Nations Tourism Organization, this agency has also implemented the "Tourism for Rural Development Program", aiming to make tourism a driving force for development and improve welfare in rural areas.

It also promotes the role of tourism in valuing and protecting rural areas, their landscapes, knowledge systems, biodiversity and culture, and local values. It also aims to promote innovative and transformative approaches to tourism development in rural destinations that contribute to the three pillars of economic, social and environmental development – ​​in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“By focusing on rural tourism, we can diversify rural economies; link tourism to agriculture, empower women and young people; and attract vital investments that make societies fairer and more sustainable. Tourism also helps strengthen community cultural values ​​and restore the connection between people and ecosystems,” said Ms. Zoritsa Urosevic, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Tourism Organization.

Representatives of some of the world's best tourist villages share at a discussion session. Photo: TL

According to the alternate member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Quang Nam Provincial Party Committee - Luong Nguyen Minh Triet, since 2019, Quang Nam has issued a consistent message on green tourism development, aiming at sustainability and then became the first locality in the country to issue a set of provincial green tourism criteria.

Over the past 5 years, Quang Nam has been making efforts to develop the local tourism industry in the direction of green tourism. Thanks to that, destinations in Quang Nam have been increasingly attracting tourists, leaving a good impression in the eyes of international friends.

“Through the conference, delegates contributed many initiatives towards the goal of developing sustainable rural tourism; ensuring fair distribution of tourism benefits, creating jobs; protecting natural and cultural resources, integrating into society, empowering local communities, especially vulnerable groups,” said comrade Luong Nguyen Minh Triet.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/du-lich-nong-thon-truoc-van-hoi-moi-3145681.html