Experience Mekong Delta farm life – our house is yours

Monday, January 16, 2012

Agro-tourism as a way to diversify farm income. That is the objective of the Tourism Centre established in the An Giang Farmers Union in Vietnam with support from Agriterra. About 600 farmers are to be involved directly and indirectly. They offer the tourists a farm life experience, the culture of the diverse ethnic minorities, their religions and handicrafts, unusual food, and the beautiful scenery.

Tourism in Vietnam is prospering. Last year the country received approximately six million visitors, which is a 5% growth when compared to 2010. The communities involved in the project received an estimated 10,000 tourists last year; 9,300 domestic and 700 international. An Giang, situated in the Mekong delta, has a very high potential because of its strategic position in the region. International tourists, travelling the Indo China circuit and from Cambodia, can have a welcomed stopover in An Giang. Tour agents report a demand for new products, especially out of Chau Doc where most current tourist stay, which can be provided by An Giang.

The Tourism Centre has developed 22 itineraries for the 15 farm destinations and a clear pricing policy. Although higher than norms in other parts of Vietnam, it appears to be generally accepted by the market. Farmers’ income has substantially increased. Mr Tuan, a farmer who grows cherries for cherry picking by tourists and who owns a restaurant, charges 100,000 VND (≈ €3,75) per person for a meal and receives an average of 30-50 guests a day, which would mean on average €150 a day. Mr Ton That Dinh, owner of  a fruit orchard and fishing pond, saw his annual family income increase by 12.5% because of tourists. 

Last December, Agriterra recruited an international consultant with 35 years of experience in the tourism sector, to support the Centre in developing a marketing plan and monitoring plan. The consultant was impressed by the leader of the Centre, Mr Tung, and the tourism potential of the area. Most community-based tourism activities she has seen are isolated. The uniqueness of this project is that the Tourism Centre is well placed, in the farmers organisation, and can play important roles in marketing & selling, standardisation & quality control, and monitoring. In a workshop a slogan was developed: “Experience Mekong Delta farm life – our house is yours”. Baseline indicators were agreed upon, so that the Centre can monitor the number of tourists and the benefits that farmer get from tourism. Also a very simple routine self-monitoring by farmers was designed. The farmers will record the interests of the tourists, their feedback, and daily routine financial records. An annual competition will be held for farmers’ highest income, most number of visits, best hospitality, best food hygiene, etc. The winner will get a prize, study tour opportunity or further training. Putting in place a community-based monitoring in tourism is unique in Vietnam.

If successful the An Giang farmers’ pro-poor tourism model could be replicated not only in the region but also elsewhere.