Ben Tre seeks new measures for tourism development

A resort in Chau Thanh district of Ben Tre province (Photo: VNA)

Authorities of the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre are striving to promote its distinctive characteristics to lure more tourists to the province.

The province focuses on eco-tourism, waterway and agrotourism, community-based tourism, sea tourism and entertainment tourism.

Assoc. Prof., Dr Ngo Phuong Lan from the Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, noted that Ben Tre boasts huge potential in agrotourism, as the province is home to Cai Mon orchard village in Cho Lach district, which is also well-known for its ornamental plants.

Ben Tre also has picturesque rural landscapes featuring paddy fields and coconut gardens. In addition, the province can take advantage of huge water resources from various river branches to develop tourism in rural areas.

Attention should also be paid to environmental protection, experts said.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Huu Phuoc said the province will seek ideas to devise a new tourism development strategy in, which is expect to highlight the province’s outstanding traits.

In recent years, newly-established tourism models in Ben Tre have recorded surging tourist arrivals, including those of C2T and Phu An Khang tourist areas.

In various districts of Ben Tre, people have different lifestyles and cuisine, therefore, about 10-20 tourism products can be created to provide new experiences for visitors, said Vo Van Phong, head of the C2T tourism startup project.

Meanwhile, a farming model in the province encourages visitors to grow their own plants at the farm. They can harvest or bring the plants home after a certain period of time.

The model is highly-valued by visitors from neighbouring localities, especially students, said Director of the Phu An Khang tourist area Nguyen Duy Thuan.

In 2018, Ben Tre welcomed nearly 1.6 million visitors, a three-fold increase compared to 2010 and up 1.5 times against the figure in 2015.

VNA