After more than 2 years of implementing Da Nang’s policy on piloting the exploitation of tourism services in combination with agricultural, forestry and aquaculture development, Hoa Vang District has formed attractive tourist destinations, thereby increasing the value of agricultural production, creating more jobs for local people, and diversifying tourism products for the city.

Tourists visiting and experiencing at the Nam Yen Valley Vineyard in Hoa Bac Commune, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang. Photo: TRAN TRUC

Initial effectiveness

The Nam Yen Valley Vineyard, a fruit tree growing model associated with experiential tourism, in the district’s Hoa Bac Commune is currently known to many tourists for its appeal and uniqueness.

Owned by Mr. Le Quoc Hien, the 8,800m² vineyard features over 500 grape trees of various types such as fingernail grapes, black seedless grapes, peony grapes and candy grapes.

Since it was operational in May 2023, the Nam Yen Valley Vineyard welcomes a monthly average of 500 visitors. The number of visitors increases sharply to more than 1,600 visitors per month between April and August thanks to the grape harvest.

According to Mr. Le Quoc Hien, the combination of agriculture and tourism is an effective solution to increase the value of agricultural products and is very suitable for the current trend.

The farm is also continuing to renovate the vineyard and develop more combined crops to form a professional agricultural tourism experience model. At the same time, the model gives priority to schools and groups to visit and experience, thereby hoping to become a prominent destination to promote the development of tourism combined with sustainable agriculture in Hoa Vang District.

After Resolution No. 82/NQ-HDND of the municipal People's Council dated December 17, 2021 on the unification of the policy on piloting the exploitation of tourism services in combination with agricultural, forestry and aquaculture development in the district was issued, as of August 2024, the People's Committee of Hoa Vang District had received 61 dossiers of registration for the pilot model; of which 15 models had been appraised and approved by the district; 1 model had had its pilot approval decision revoked due to violations of the committed contents; 45 models had not been approved because land law is not guaranteed.

Mr. Do Thanh Tan, Head of the Culture - Information Office of Hoa Vang District, said that the resolution is a legal basis for the locality to exploit the potential and advantages of natural ecology, agriculture combined with tourism economic development. At the same time, it is a mechanism to help integrate trade and services into agricultural, forestry and fishery production. From this resolution, many households and businesses have strongly developed eco-tourism products, as well as provided services for camping, experiential education and learning about the culture of the community.

After more than 2 years of the pilot implementation, Hoa Vang has become a locality providing experiential agricultural education and entertainment services for senior and junior high school pupils citywide. The number of pupils visiting and studying at agricultural tourism sites is estimated at more than 30,000. Tourism activities also solve part of the output for local agricultural products and OCOP products. The total revenue from the models has so far eached more than VND 10.8 billion, offering stable jobs for nearly 100 workers.

There are still difficulties and problems

According to Dr. Architect Le Thi Ly Na from Faculty of Architecture of the Da Nang University of Architecture, provinces and cities across the country have recently identified tourism development associated with rural production in many diverse and rich forms to exploit the maximum potential of rural areas.

However, the development of agricultural, forestry and fishery production is still only exploited on agricultural land, and not exploited under forest canopy and aquaculture land. In addition, the combination and cooperation in developing models is not high, and the application of science and technology in investment and research in agricultural models is still limited.

On the other hand, some necessary auxiliary works to serve and exploit tourism such as internal traffic roads, parking lots, dining and resting areas, and toilets do not ensure the requirements for tourism services.

Mr. Nguyen Thuc Dung, Standing Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoa Vang District, said that the locality has supported investors to complete documents and approved 15 pilot models in the area. In general, tourism services are deployed in a diverse, effective, practical manner in accordance with the orientation and well meet tourists’ needs for entertainment and experience.

However, there are still difficulties, limitations and obstacles in the pilot implementation. For example, regarding experiential tourism activities, in reality, tourists have a need to stay overnight (from 1 to 2 nights) but the Tourism Law has not clearly regulated this content, leading to investors being confused and not understanding the model of organizing overnight camping experiences in tents for tourists.

Moreover, some locations boast favourable landscapes which are actually attracting tourists to check-in but have not been granted land use right certificates by the state, so they are not eligible to participate in the pilot implementation.

Reporting by TRAN TRUC - Translating by M.DUNG