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Most tourists visiting Can Tho, in addition to exploring the floating market, ancient houses, and ecological gardens, also participate in recreational fishing activities. Therefore, this service has recently been included in tour packages by travel companies, attracting thousands of visitors.
Nowadays, most domestic and international tourists love natural landscapes, exploring and experiencing local life activities. Therefore, recreational fishing has become one of the most popular services.
Mr. Huynh Huu Loi, from Tan Loc ward, Thot Not district, is well-known for his family's garden-style coffee and fishing cafe model.
After nearly two years of researching and learning about recreational fishing models in several well-known tourist areas, and realizing that the climate, soil conditions, and economic capabilities of his family were suitable for developing a recreational fishing service, he boldly invested in three fish ponds combined with a gazebo cafe where customers could relax, drink coffee, and fish at the same time.
Starting his business on a 3,000m2 garden plot, Mr. Loi spent over 500 million VND digging a pond, buying fish fry, renovating gazebos, and adding a kitchen so customers could enjoy dishes made from the fish he caught.As a result, the number of visitors coming to fish has increased steadily, especially during the summer months of May to August. Each day can see up to 100 visitors, not including group tours. Besides running a recreational fishing and coffee shop, Mr. Loi also earns a significant profit from harvesting fish, averaging about 3 tons of various types per harvest every 4-5 months. After nearly 3 years, his family earns over 300 million VND per year.
Can Tho City also has more than 200 recreational fishing models that have achieved high economic efficiency; many of which are run by youth union members in various districts and communes.
According to Mr. Nguyen Chanh Tin, Secretary of the Youth Union of Binh Thuy Ward, Binh Thuy District, in the past three years, young people in rural areas, specifically in Binh Thuy, have tended to combine livestock farming and crop cultivation with the development of ecotourism and entertainment services, most commonly small-scale fishing. On average, each location receives 250 to 300 visitors per month.
Mr. Tran Viet Phuong, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Can Tho City, said that one of the city's top priorities in 2014 is to create conditions for tourism development, especially in rural, remote and disadvantaged areas, in order to utilize the potential of agricultural economy, geographical advantages and climate to develop ecotourism... Through this, farmers will have the opportunity to develop their economy, improve their living standards and change the face of rural areas in the process of building new rural areas.
