Vineyard on saline soil becomes tourist attraction

Agro-tourism models have attracted many more visitors over recent years, combining agricultural production with tourism for farmers to earn higher profits. The model has proven effective in southernmost Ca Mau province, where one local farmer has developed a vineyard into an appealing destination for tourists.

No one thought grapes would grow on the saline soil found in Ca Mau, but with a keen mind and a desire to carve out her own way in ecotourism development, Tran Phuong Thao learned how to plant Ninh Thuan grapes on local fields. After mastering the technique, she bought 40 seedlings to conduct a trial. Six months later, her grapes became green and began to bear fruit.

After more than two years, Thao’s family’s vineyard has more than 300 stable trees producing more than 500 kilos of grapes a year. With her accumulated experience, she renovated the orchard and created landscapes and miniatures to entertain visitors and also sells her grapes. No fertilisers are used, so people are willing to pay a higher price.

Many young people like coming to the vineyard as a way of feeling refreshed amid a tranquil countryside atmosphere. 

Thao has planted new varieties to meet various customer needs. With an orchard of more than 3,000 square meters, she has not only created a new and attractive tourist destination but also expressed the creativity of farmers in this southernmost land./.

VNA