Dong Thap (VNA) – Community-based tourism is a type of tourismbringing sustainable economic development benefits to Dong Thap province, whichhas been renowned for spectacular lush tropical orchards, gorgeous fields oflotus blossoms, and amazing dishes.

According to Vice Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports andTourism Ngo Quang Tuyen, community-based tourism model has created a highlightin the local tourism, making the province become the third most attractivelocality in the Mekong Delta region.

Also, it contributed greatly to the local tourism revenue, which stood atestimated 500 billion USD in the first half of 2019, up 25 percent year onyear.

Deemed as the land of lotuses, visitors to Dong Thap province could not missvisiting the Dong Sen Thap Muoi eco tourist site in Thap Muoi district to takea boat trip around immense lotus ponds to enjoy the beauty of lotuses in fullbloom. Besides, they will be certainly excited about going fishing in themiddle of the vast lotus fields, and tasting local staples made from lotus.

Earlier, there were only five families offering tourism services at the site; andthe number now nearly doubles, and their lotus fields greet average more than10,000 visitors a month.

Meanwhile, Cao Lanh city has already developed culinary eco-tourism, educationeco-tourism and resort tourism at Tan Thuan Dong tourism village. Two familiesin Tan Thuan Dong commune have spent more than 800 million VND improvinginfrastructure and landscapes over the past two years, making the villagequalified to serve both domestic and foreign visitors. Since its opening, thevillage has hosted around 25,000 arrivals, including 3,000 foreigners.

Seeing the potential of community-based tourism, farmers in Lai Vung district have opened their citrus orchards for tourism. They have gained some 24 billionVND from greeting over 75,000 visitors so far.

However, Tuyen described Sa Dec city as the most successful developer ofcommunity-based tourism. The city is oriented to become the flower city of thesouthern region with pictresque flower gardens, and a flower museum withhundreds of flower kinds which are famous both inside and outside the country.

Such flower gardens as Hai Cao, Happy Land Hung Thy and Ngoc Lan, Hoa EchHomestay and Bamboo House Homestay are attractive destinations, according toTuyen.

Furthermore, feasting on various kinds of cake made from rice powder is afantastic experience in Tan Phu Dong village.

Tuyen said community-based tours lured a great number of visitors to Sa Dec.Last year, the city welcomed over 1 million arrivals in total.

Furthermore, several destinations have become popular among tourists likeHomestay Tu Ca Linh in Tam Nong district, Tam Viet clean vegetable and organicpaddy field cooperative in Hong Ngu district, and honeydew farm in Thanh Binhdistrict.

The province has developed tourism in tandem with promoting local agricultureand cultural values.-VNA