Long Ho: Unique highlights from local tourism

Mr. Lu Quang Ngoi - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee surveyed the eco-tourism site of Long Ho district.

Unique features of homestay tourism

With the advantages of natural rivers and diverse and unique traditional culture, in recent years, Long Ho district has actively exploited and developed tourism, implementing many unique tourism products imbued with its own characteristics from the traditional indigenous cultural values, in which, community tourism experiences are highly appreciated by domestic and international tourists.

Accordingly, homestay tourism was formed and developed, considered a unique feature of Long Ho district. Homestay establishments always renew their products and improve quality. This is considered the pride of Long Ho tourism in particular and Vinh Long tourism in general.

At these tourist destinations, visitors not only visit and learn about local customs and culture, but also participate in local production and daily activities, enjoy local specialties, and immerse themselves in community cultural activities such as listening to traditional music, watching traditional opera, and experiencing making traditional cakes.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Ba Nhan Provincial Party Committee Member, Secretary of Long Ho District Party Committee

Long Ho identifies rural tourism and garden ecotourism as one of the main types of tourism for the district's tourism development. To develop sustainable and professional tourism, the district continues to plan the development of this type in areas with great potential; at the same time, strengthen state management, promote propaganda to avoid the situation where people operate spontaneously, follow trends, and develop unsustainably. Along with that, Long Ho will focus on mobilizing local and social resources to build rural infrastructure. Continue to mobilize resources to invest in socio-economic development, contributing to completing the targets of the Resolution of the District Party Congress for the term 2020-2025.

According to the relevant authorities, developing tourism associated with homestay tourism services has contributed to creating an open direction for exploiting the potential and strengths of localities for sustainable economic development.

At the same time, help local people raise awareness of protecting ecological environmental resources, preserving and promoting unique local cultural values ​​and regional cultural beauty.

With the desire to preserve the traditional beauty of our ancestors and design tourism programs that convey the beauty of indigenous culture, Ms. Pham Thi Ngoc Trinh - owner of Ut Trinh Homestay Tourist Area (belonging to Mekong Travel Tourism Company) has created a garden tourist area with a strong imprint of the ancient South in the middle of the green An Binh island.

Ms. Trinh shared: “Thanks to the advantages of natural conditions, especially the friendly people of Vinh Long, it has helped keep tourists coming to this land.

What I want to convey to tourists is not only images of Southern culture, but also to leave an impression on tourists about the typical cultural and artistic activities of Southern people in general and Vinh Long in particular."

Tourists can immerse themselves in nature and enjoy delicious local cuisine.

Having chosen to do tourism in her hometown for more than 5 years, Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Phuong Oanh - owner of Mekong Pottery Homestay in Thanh Duc commune (Long Ho district) shared: Homestay is currently a strongly developing type of tourism and is a growing trend that is receiving more and more attention, not only helping to preserve the natural environment, indigenous cultural values, and develop the community, but also bringing economic benefits that contribute positively to the development of local tourism.

According to Ms. Oanh, most tourists coming to Vinh Long enjoy the rustic experiences of the West and enjoy dishes made from natural ingredients, so Ms. Oanh's homestay focuses on local culture.

Guests come to eat and live at home with the family, then participate in activities to experience the daily life of the locals, enjoy the ancient and rustic space next to the hundreds of years old brick and ceramic kilns nestled along the banks of Co Chien.

Besides homestay tourism services, Long Ho district also develops garden tourism associated with fruit tree agriculture development, introducing and promoting products to consumers through tourism.

Accordingly, visitors can experience the feeling of going into fruit gardens and agricultural gardens to visit and enjoy fresh, safe fruits and agricultural products and buy them as gifts.

Tourism establishments also combine with agricultural models for visitors, promoting production and consumption for farmers.

Experiencing a visit to a green rice production site and a vineyard to visit and harvest at a tourist destination in An Binh Islet, Ms. Pham Tuyet Nhung (Ho Chi Minh City) said: “Instead of choosing to travel to crowded places, my family and I chose to travel to the garden to enjoy the fresh air, enjoy delicious local food and sweet fruits.

I see that tourism here has improved a lot more than before, the people are friendly, the tourist attractions are clean, and the cultural characteristics of the past are still preserved. I really like and am satisfied when coming here."

According to Ms. Phan Thi My Hanh - Chairman of Long Ho District People's Committee, the development of eco-tourism and homestay tourism helps the local economy develop, create more jobs and increase income for the people. At the same time, it promotes tourism development, attracts tourists to visit and experience the traditional cultural beauty of the localities.

Sustainable tourism development, creating momentum for economic development

The value of agricultural and aquatic production in 2024 of Long Ho district is estimated to reach nearly 7,860 billion VND, an increase of nearly 12.52% over the same period. Total retail sales of goods and social consumer service revenue is estimated to reach over 7,860 billion VND, an increase of 12.52% over the same period.

The highlight of the district is the implementation of many effective biotechnology production models, contributing to green growth.

In particular, the district always pays attention to developing local tourism; promptly supporting businesses and enhancing tourism promotion.

Ecotourism experiencing the river and garden is the strength of Long Ho district.

In the district, there are 2 travel companies, 19 tourist accommodation establishments (homestays) and 20 fruit and seedling garden sightseeing spots; of which 9 establishments meet ASEAN Homestay standards.

During the year, the District Social Policy Bank disbursed 1.5 billion VND under the loan project to support employment, maintain and expand employment in the tourism development linkage of 4 island communes.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has developed a plan to support the construction of infrastructure for Hai Nuong Honey Business Household (Hoa Ninh Commune) and a plan to support consulting on the development of eco-tourism for Vinh Long Coconut House Tourism Trading Company Limited, with a total support capital of 400 million VND.

At the same time, the district also promotes tourism promotion such as creating columns and video clips about tourism broadcast on television and social networks; organizing a festival displaying "folk cakes and country dishes" at eco-tourism sites; and participating in the Red Brick and Ceramic Festival - Green Economy.

As a result, the number of tourists visiting increased sharply, reaching nearly 235,000 people (including more than 26,500 international visitors), up 5.2% over the same period. Total tourism service revenue is estimated at over 108 billion VND, up 17.63% over the same period.

It can be seen that homestay development is one of the potential directions in tourism development to bring income to people and create motivation to preserve culture; contributing to local economic development.

Therefore, along with the guidance of the authorities, families and individuals doing homestays also continue to innovate their thinking, proactively learn to "renew themselves" to attract more and more tourists.

Ms. Trinh - owner of Ut Trinh Homestay Tourist Area said: "In the coming time, besides researching and designing more new tours, promoting more local specialties and OCOP products to tourists, I will also strengthen connections with individuals and agricultural units to bring more authentic experiences to tourists".

To effectively exploit typical tourism resources, in recent times, Long Ho district has implemented action programs and plans to increase investment in local tourism.

At the same time, coordinate with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to assess the minimum conditions for facilities and services of tourist accommodation establishments in the district, compliance with the law in business activities and promptly rectify and remind establishments to fully comply with business conditions to ensure safe and quality service for visitors and entertainment.

Ms. Phan Thi My Hanh - Chairwoman of Long Ho District People's Committee

The district will continue to implement many policies to encourage and provide incentives for investment in tourism development through many dynamic and reasonable mechanisms to attract resources from businesses and farmers. At the same time, the district will increase investment in tourism infrastructure, strengthen measures on security, order, and environmental sanitation, creating favorable conditions for businesses and farmers to invest resources in tourism activities. At the same time, coordinate to organize training and foster tourism human resources, organize professional training courses for managers and tourism businesses; regularly organize training and fostering for farmers on tourism knowledge and skills, raise awareness for local communities in preserving and promoting the values ​​of tourism resources; build and popularize typical agricultural tourism models, suitable to local advantages.

Vice Chairman of Long Ho District People's Committee Vo Trung Son said: In the coming time, the district will continue to encourage and create favorable conditions for the development of industry and handicrafts to serve tourism.

Promoting the advantages of traditional red ceramic industry, craft villages, and handicraft cooperatives to preserve and develop typical traditional products for tourism and export.

Encourage economic sectors to promote the development of services such as accommodation services, combining the sale of souvenirs with local specialties to serve tourism in the 4 island communes and the district. At the same time, enhance the exploitation of the strengths of eco-tourism associated with aquaculture.

According to Mr. Lu Quang Ngoi - Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, in recent times, Long Ho district has always paid attention to developing local specific tourism, providing timely support to business households and enhancing tourism promotion.

In the coming time, Long Ho district needs to continue to promote the development of industry, trade and services, especially continuing to develop the strengths of homestay tourism, promoting craft villages such as the district's typical yellow apricot village; promptly remove difficulties and obstacles and support tourism establishments, cooperatives and business households to develop production and increase revenue.

At the same time, it is necessary to build new tourism programs, improve products, build product packages with good service quality to increase tourist experience, diversify products and improve service quality to serve tourists from near and far.

Article and photos: HAI YEN - TRA MY

Source: https://baovinhlong.com.vn/xa-hoi/du-lich/202501/long-ho-diem-nhan-rieng-tu-du-lich-dac-thudia-phuong-b7038f9/