Hoi An farmers venture into agritourism

07/07/2025

Under the motto ‘Agriculture to boost tourism, tourism to enhance agriculture’, farmers in Hoi An are turning their daily work into meaningful cultural experiences for travellers. By integrating traditional farming with community-based tourism, local residents have created a model where agriculture is not only a means of livelihood but also a powerful vehicle for cultural preservation and sustainable development.

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Tourists experience riding buffaloes at the festival to the field. Photo: MY LE

Beyond the UNESCO-listed ancient town, Hoi An’s rural outskirts are becoming magnets for visitors near and far seeking authentic experiences rooted in the land. Here, the scent of fresh herbs, the rhythm of river life, and the hospitality of farming families offer a new kind of tourism. one that connects deeply with place and people.

In the Thanh Dong hamlet, now part of Hoi An Dong Ward, the launch of the Farmers’ Tourism Occupational Branch in late 2024 marked a significant shift. With 21 members drawn from the Thanh Dong Organic Vegetable and Tourism Cooperative and related organic farming groups, the initiative blends visits to the organic gardens with basket boat tours along the Do River.

Mr. Pham Meo, Vice Head of the Thanh Dong Basket Boat Tourism Farmers’ Association, shared: “Building on the strengths of the Thanh Dong organic vegetable garden, our association has combined garden tours with hands-on basket boat experiences along the Do River. Members are supported in developing their services, gaining access to financial resources, increasing their income, and building sustainable livelihoods.”

The village of Tra Que, long celebrated for its traditional herbs and vegetables, has taken on a new role. In 2024, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) recognized Tra Que as one of the “Best Tourism Villages in the World” over the past three years.

For residents like Trang Thanh Hung, this recognition validated years of hard work combining organic farming with community-based tourism. “We’ve realized the economic potential of opening our farms to visitors. Tourists now join us in planting, harvesting, and cooking, which not only generates income but also deepens appreciation for our culture and lifestyle”, said Hung

In July 2024, the newly-formed An My Vegetable Village Cooperative brought together 21 households in Hoi An Dong Ward, aiming to turn organic agriculture into a tourism asset. Their model combines farming with hands-on experiences for visitors, from rice planting, net fishing, and water scooping, to soil digging, seed sowing, and vegetable harvesting.

After each session, guests cook and enjoy rustic meals made from the day’s harvest—bringing farm-to-table to life in the most literal and delightful way.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu, a resident of An My block said: “An My residents guide tourists to participate in tours to experience farming, experience bailing water, catching fish, planting rice, hoeing, sowing seeds and growing vegetables. After the experience, tourists can prepare rustic dishes from the harvested products. From there, people's lives are increasingly improved, opening up opportunities for sustainable tourism development and bringing long-term benefits to the community.”

Hoi An is once again showing the world that sustainable tourism begins at home with a vegetable patch, a bamboo boat, and the warm welcome of a farming family.

https://en.baodanang.vn/hoi-an-farmers-venture-into-agritourism-3264950.html

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