Birds in Tram Chim National Park (Photo: VNA) Dong Thap (VNA) – The Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap is working to promote local tourism through three kinds of tourism, namely eco tourism, historical site tourism and community-based tourism.
The province has worked to turn each attraction into unique tourism products to draw tourists. For example, the Dong Sen-Go Thap art architecture and archeological complex in Thap Muoi district has the theme of lotus kingdom and spiritual culture.
Meanwhile, Tram Chim National Park, home to about 200 different bird species, has focused on Dong Thap Muoi’s natural bird park. It has held experience tours that allow tourists to become farmers or visit birds in their breeding season. Flower field tours are also on offer, according to Le Hoang Long, Director of the Tram Chim National Park.
Aiming to become a flower city of the southern region, Sa Dec city has launched a green tourism model at Sa Dec flower village, housing more than 2,000 flora species across 470 hectares. The city has also invested in infrastructure development to improve the environment in the village.
The tourism sector of Dong Thap province has also promoted local specialities, especially lotus-based products. Other local delicacies, such as Sa Giang shrimp chips and Lai Vung fermented pork rolls, have been honoured by domestic and international organisations.
Local farmers have been encouraged to invest in eco-farms to diversify local tourism and attract tourists to eco-holidays. For instance, Le Van Ngot, owner of a 4-hectare lotus plantation, offers various services for tourists to visit lotus field and make lotus-based dishes themselves.
Due to all these efforts, Dong Thap province welcomed 1.6 million visitors, including more than 40,000 foreigners in the first six months of the year. Its total revenue from tourism exceeded 300 billion VND, increasing by 39.14 percent against last year and making up 52.17 percent of the yearly plan.
The local tourism sector aims to lure 3.5 million tourists with earnings of 900 billion VND to 1 trillion VND by 2020 and become one of the most attractive destinations in the Mekong Delta region. -VNA
