Determining tourism as one of the key economic sectors, Can Tho City has focused many resources over the years to promote local tourism development. Can Tho's smokeless industry has had positive developments, especially efforts to form a local tourism identity and create its own mark. In its long-term tourism development orientation, Can Tho determines to promote its river identity in association with integrating the green and sustainable development trend of national and international tourism.
The problem of creating attraction for tourism products
Cruise tours always attract tourists and create a unique feature for Can Tho tourism.
The story of building Can Tho tourism products is always of interest and discussion in many seminars, conferences and even side stories of tourism businesses. Although there are many opinions that Can Tho tourism is not really outstanding, products lack characteristics so it is difficult to attract and retain tourists; However, from the perspective of someone with a long-term attachment and dedication to Can Tho tourism, Ms. Vo Xuan Thu, Director of Victoria Can Tho Resort, said: "Not really. Although Can Tho and the Mekong Delta are somewhat less prominent than Central region tourism because the Central region has the sea, in return Can Tho has river gardens and agricultural tourism close to nature. The trend of traveling close to nature is very popular and this should be taken advantage of for tourism. It is important to know how to exploit and promote." And Mr. Benoit Perdu, Transmekong Company, said: "International visitors to Vietnam love cross-Vietnam tours, in which the Mekong Delta is an important destination in the journey, because the natural and cultural scenery here is very unique. interesting. However, the unique features of tourism here have not really been promoted much." Thus, the way to build and promote products is an important factor to create attraction for local tourism.
From the perspective of a travel agency, Mr. Nguyen Phu Yen, Director of Yen Travel, said: "Can Tho has a typical destination loved by domestic and foreign tourists, Cai Rang floating market, but over the years the floating market has remained only yes. If we want Can Tho tourism to change, we must invest in building products to give tourists a better experience." Also sharing about the exploitation of tourism products in connecting with tourists, Ms. Le Dinh Minh Thy, Director of Vietravel Can Tho, once shared: "The West always has its own attraction, specifically the West route still is one of the main routes that has attracted visitors to Vietravel in recent years. Particularly in Can Tho, in addition to Cai Rang floating market, we are exploiting product branches from Son dunes and Phuong Nam Truc Lam Zen Monastery. However, in the long term, Can Tho must invest in further product exploitation. Products need to have deeper experiences so that tourists are willing to pay, and at the same time, localities also need to have new product orientations." Meanwhile, Mr. Pham Minh Tuan, Director of two resorts Victoria Chau Doc and Victoria Nui Sam (An Giang), said: "When customers come to any location, the first thing they think about is what there is to see there." . That mentality shows that tourism products play a very important role in tourists' decision to choose a destination. In fact, tourism products in the West are not diverse and need many experiences so tourists can stay longer. Destinations in Can Tho and the Mekong Delta have not really left their mark in the hearts of tourists because of the way we exploit them. Product quality is also something that needs to be mentioned. Therefore, I think that when building a product, we must pay attention to quality, invest in that point, and have many experiences for tourists about that land, so that we can make a mark." .
Thus, it can be seen that the tourism potential of Can Tho and the Mekong Delta is still highly appreciated, especially eco-tourism products close to nature and indigenous cultural tourism. However, due to the fact that the product has not been invested properly, has not yet built a variety of in-depth experiences for tourists, and promotional connections have not been focused, Can Tho tourism still needs solutions and actions. further breakthroughs to create a strong impression in the hearts of visitors.
Ecotourism close to nature is still a strength that Can Tho tourism is promoting. In the photo: Tourists experience at Lung Tram eco-tourism area.
Developing green and sustainable tourism
Ms. Vo Xuan Thu, Director of Victoria Can Tho Resort, said: "Even though we are an accommodation operator, in fact we always try to introduce to tourists typical destinations on their journey." Tourists come to stay at the hotel or use the company's services. In particular, we focus on indigenous cultural elements with green destinations such as: Cai Rang floating market, Son dunes, Tra Su cajuput forest...". In recent times, Victoria Can Tho's construction of tourism products or indigenous cultural experience journeys has always focused on elements of closeness to nature and sustainability. That has created a unique highlight for the products and services that this unit exploits in Can Tho and the Mekong Delta. Specifically, Victoria Mekong Cruises is a distinct product of Can Tho tourism, creating a highlight in the hearts of tourists about river travel, close to nature. Mr. Pham Huu Nghia, Director of Victoria Mekong Cruises, said: "We operate the Can Tho - Chau Doc domestic itineraries on holidays and Tet; Normally, cruise ships go on the Can Tho - Cambodia international route. Our journey is Green ship - Green ship, meaning a journey to experience green destinations close to nature, use solar energy, and say no to plastic bags. By building this product, Victoria Mekong Cruises creates a distinct highlight in how to exploit the product.
Similarly, Ms. Huynh Thi Bich Tuyen, owner of Mekong Silt Ecolodge resort (Phong Dien district), said: "When working in tourism, my goal is green and sustainable tourism, so I always focus on open space." close to nature. I use very familiar objects such as mulberry trees, coconut trees, areca palm trees, firewood... as the main decorative materials at the resort. My way of traveling is towards nature, so the green space of the garden is maintained. In some experiences, I also ask not to use phones so that tourists can truly immerse themselves in nature." With that way of doing tourism, even though it has only been in operation for a few years, Mekong Silt Ecolodge is highly appreciated on online travel sites, attracting many international visitors. Thus, developing green and sustainable tourism will truly create a highlight in the products and experiential services of Can Tho tourism. Accordingly, in Can Tho there are many destinations that build good products and experiences that integrate common trends, such as: Can Tho Ecolodge, Vam Xang Rustic Can Tho, Can Tho Eco Resort, Lung Tram eco-tourism area. …
Ms. Dao Thi Thanh Thuy, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Can Tho City, shared: Developing green and sustainable tourism is one of the goals of Can Tho tourism. Previously, the city's tourism industry also learned from green tourism models in Quang Nam to orientate the development of a set of green tourism criteria for city tourism. The goal is to build environmentally friendly destinations and city tourism products for long-term development. This will also contribute to creating unique eco-tourism products, giving Can Tho its own highlight in green tourism.
