Mekong Delta tourism: What to do to maintain and promote its unique features after the pandemic?

MANY TOURISM POTENTIALS STILL UNTIL UNTIL

Being a rich region with diverse natural resources and identified as one of the 7 tourism sub-regions of the country, the Mekong Delta (MD) has full potential and unique cultural characteristics to develop into an important resort destination in the Southern region. The forms of garden and river tourism that attracted tourists and made an impression many years ago have recently become "faded" compared to many other resort destinations. Is it possible that these products are no longer attractive or that tourism exploitation is still not synchronized and taking advantage of the potential of the region?

The Mekong Delta has rich tourism resources, with a canal system of more than 28,000 km, a diverse ecosystem from freshwater to saltwater; especially a treasure trove of rich folk culture. Mekong Delta tourism can develop many types, including: ecological, resort, sea and island, cultural - historical, spiritual, community, agricultural, MICE (a type of tourism combining conferences, seminars, exhibitions, and event organization) ... In particular, community tourism is receiving attention because it not only helps people protect the ecological environment, preserve and promote indigenous culture, but also helps tourists participate in many sustainable experiences with nature.

However, in reality, community tourism in this land is only in its infancy. The Muoi Ngọt community tourism model in Ca Mau is an example. It took 6 years of research to develop this model, which is characterized by taking tourists to "hunt for bees" in the U Minh Ha forest. However, this model still has many items and ideas that need to be implemented and still faces difficulties in transportation, electricity and clean water. Similarly, the community tourism model linking the construction of a tour route through the forest in Mui Ca Mau National Park (taking a speedboat, eating oysters, seafood, etc.) also comes from the actual needs of people who raise oysters and run speedboats, with the desire to find a way to both preserve the profession and exploit the potential of the forest and the life of the fishing village. However, after 8 years of formation, the model has experienced difficulties in terms of capital and the customer market.

It can be said that the common characteristic of people doing ecotourism and community tourism in many provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta is to "find their own way", explore, upgrade, and overcome difficulties by themselves... Community tourism in Con Son of Can Tho province is the same. 6 years ago, people were looking for a suitable model to do tourism associated with environmental protection, promoting indigenous culture and increasing the value of agricultural products. According to local people, when they started doing it, they mainly researched and learned from tourists' comments to know how to build products, and at the same time connected with travel agencies to promote. People encountered many difficulties, including a time when they had to break the community connection due to limitations in resources and awareness of the value of the model.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO MAINTAIN AND DEVELOP AFTER THE PANDEMIC?

1. Investing in infrastructure systems

According to statistics from Savills Hotels, a member of Savills Group, the supply of hotels and resorts in the Mekong Delta is still quite limited, with 28 accommodation establishments in the "midscale" segment or higher currently in operation. With a favorable geographical location adjacent to Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta has many advantages in accessing a diverse source of guests as the region concentrates many major traffic gateways of the country. However, compared to destinations that can be conveniently accessed by road from Ho Chi Minh City such as Ho Tram, Vung Tau, Da Lat, the hotel business in the Mekong Delta is somewhat less vibrant. This has the role of infrastructure in tourism development.

The development of expressways to help tourists travel more conveniently is considered an important catalyst to promote regional tourism activities. Mr. Vuko Kralj, General Manager of Azerai Can Tho Resort, commented: "Before the pandemic, in addition to 10 domestic routes, Can Tho International Airport also served 4 international routes, connecting directly with the region's traffic gateways including Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul and Taipei. Regarding roads, expressways are being deployed such as the Trung Luong - My Thuan section, and in the next phase will connect the Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho route to help shorten travel time. The implementation of projects to improve traffic infrastructure will help the region expand its access to international and domestic tourist markets, thereby enhancing the region's competitiveness on the Vietnam tourism map."

2. Developing unique tourism products

Currently, the trend of green tourism and responsible tourism is strongly influencing the tastes of tourists and more and more people are looking for cultural, community, friendly and environmentally responsible experiences. However, in the Mekong Delta, most of the eco-tourism and community tourism models are converted by people themselves from gardening, farming... to tourism activities. Therefore, small-scale products, mainly agricultural products and services, are still not professional. At the same time, people also face many difficulties in terms of policies, capital and human resources.

Therefore, to develop community tourism, there must be attention and participation from all sectors and levels, along with appropriate policies and mechanisms. Each province and city needs to rely on scientific research on culture and the lives of local residents to develop tourism development orientations that are consistent with the core values ​​of the community. From there, guide people to build products that correspond to local advantages, meet service standards and tourist tastes.

3. Diversify new experiences

In recent years, international tourists tend to seek authentic and rustic experiences through activities of interacting with local people, exploring the characteristics of the destination. This is also the advantage of the Mekong Delta region to create unique and different tourism products. In addition to river, garden and community tours, many tourism investors also believe that the provinces of the Southwest region in the future will need high-end products that exploit the strengths of the river region, such as eco-resorts combined with health care, farms and nature-oriented activities.

For example, the Mekong Lodge eco-resort model in Tien Giang province with 30 separate bungalows, surrounded by green gardens, so the air is fresh and cool, along with many community tourism activities such as: visiting traditional craft villages, cycling around the ancient village, fishing... Or TMG Group has put into operation Victoria Mekong Cruise with 35 cabins and full amenities for a 3-5 night journey on the Mekong River. These models are contributing to diversifying the region's tourism products.

4. Links with neighboring areas

Tourism experts also recommend and promote the development of regional linkages and coordination between the provinces/cities of the Southwest region with Ho Chi Minh City and other neighboring provinces to support the expansion of tourism demand, bringing longer and more diverse experiences to tourists.

By building and enhancing the ability to cooperate and connect between travel companies, service providers of restaurants, hotels, river entertainment activities such as yachts, cruise ships, thereby building the image and enhancing communication to help connect attractions in the region; aiming at the Mekong Delta not only as a single destination but also as part of the journey to explore the Southern region. To achieve this requires a long-term strategy in maintaining and promoting the strengths of local culture; at the same time, being more creative in renewing tourism products.

In addition to the current anti-epidemic spirit, the Vietnamese tourism industry in general and the Mekong Delta tourism industry in particular can take advantage of this time to review and build plans for the future. The Covid-19 pandemic is like a major cleansing. After the pandemic, which tourist destinations or resort products will rise and develop strongly? The answer may start with planning and seizing opportunities right in this challenging period.

More information

Savills Hotels is a specialized division of Savills Group with in-depth experience in the field of Resort Real Estate Development and Investment Consulting. Not only understanding the market, Savills Hotels team also has many years of practical experience in the real estate market in the host countries.

Website: savills.com.vn

Huyen Chau - Photo: Internet