HCMC – Vietnam has ample opportunities to foster agricultural tourism and make it a catalyst for holistic rural development of the country, said experts at the Tourism and Hospitality Management of the Business School, RMIT University Vietnam.
Dr. Jackie Ong, RMIT senior program manager for Tourism and Hospitality Management, said that Vietnam, characterized by rich cultural values and a tradition of rice cultivation, is well-placed for activities within the framework of agritourism, an emerging global phenomenon.
The activities include entertaining and educational experiences for tourists with a particular emphasis on agriculture, farmers, and rural landscapes.
She noted that agricultural tourism is on the rise in Vietnam, as seen in a broad range of tourist products nationwide. While the northern region has tours highlighting rice cultivation and traditional crafts, tourist experiences in the central and the Central Highlands regions promote the agricultural diversity of local ethnic minorities.
Dr. Pham Huong Trang, RMIT lecturer of Tourism and Hospitality Management, highlighted the need to combine natural and cultural values and encourage local community participation to enhance the appeal of agritourism in Vietnam.
She said local authorities should embrace a two-pronged approach that diversifies tourist offerings while also identifying key products and emphasizing the uniqueness of each locality.
Still, experts noted that challenges remain when it comes to the lack of professional and quality services in agricultural tourism, connectivity issues between travel operators and local destinations, and insufficient and non-specialized promotional and marketing efforts.
