Developing smart agriculture linked with eco-tourism

A fruit orchard cultivated organically at the Cham Hill Science Farm in Hang Gon Ward. Photo: Binh Nguyen

With favorable conditions in terms of weather, topography, and numerous specialty fruit trees, the locality is attracting investors to develop orchard tourism model tied with culinary and accommodation services, contributing to local socio-economic development.

Advancing smart agriculture

Hang Gon Ward has nearly 4,000 hectares of agricultural land, most of which is dedicated to perennial crops. Among them, durian has emerged as the area's flagship crop thanks to its expanding cultivation area and high economic value. In addition to developing durian trees, farmers also grow a wide range of specialty fruits, including mangosteen, rambutan, avocado and Burmese grape, helping diversify agricultural products and increase household incomes.

Farmers in Hang Gon Ward are becoming increasingly proactive in applying science and technology to production, boldly investing in machinery, automated systems, and adopting numerous new technical solutions. The production process is strictly controlled from seed selection and care to harvesting, helping to elevate the quality of farm produce, ensure food safety, and meet market standards, including export requirements.

Agricultural production in Hang Gon Ward is undergoing a strong shift from small-scale farming to modern agriculture. In this context, developing organic agriculture linked with eco-tourism represents the locality's strategic orientation to generate added value for agricultural products.

As a provincial-level outstanding farmer for many consecutive years, Ngo Thanh Phong, residing in Hang Gon Ward, is widely known for his mini-durian cultivation model on sloping hilly land. According to Phong, rocky, steep terrain and strong winds make traditionally planted durian trees prone to snapping and uprooting. Therefore, after careful study, he boldly applied a height control technique tailored to local farming conditions.

Accordingly, when the trees are still young, he prunes the tops to maintain a compact canopy. Thanks to this, the trees yield fruit early, resist wind breakage, allow convenient care and pest management, reduce production costs, and increase planting density on a given areaof land. Selecting an appropriate fruit load per tree also enhances quality, raising the percentage of fruit meeting export standards.

In addition to successfully applying this on his own orchard, Phong invested in machinery and established an agricultural service team to help many households within and outside the locality replicate the model, offering orchard care, pest control, and harvesting services.

Spanning an area of approximately seven hectares, Cham Hill Science Farm currently grows various specialty fruit trees, including Shine Muscat grapes, witch finger grapes, Bali grapes, pink apples, mandarins, and rambutan. Nguyen Van Vu, the farm's technical supervisor, stated that the farm applies high technology to successfully cultivate foreign grape varieties. Aiming to become an eco-tourism destination, the farm adopted organic, safe cultivation practices right from its inception, creating a green and fresh environment.

A destination attracting tourists

Leveraging natural advantages and specialty fruit-growing areas, Hang Gon Ward is attracting numerous investors to develop orchard-tourism and eco-tourism models linked with culinary and accommodation services. Cooperatives and collaborative groups are also promoting their role in connecting farmers to apply science and technology in production, enhancing the quality of farm produce while expanding operations into agricultural tourism, contributing to increasing product value and local economic growth.

Bach Hop Farm grows a variety of specialty fruits while producing signature products such as stingless bee honey, migratory bee honey, and handcrafted local coffee. Visitors can enjoy the tranquil hillside landscape while experiencing farming activities, learning about agricultural processing, and tasting local specialties.

Cau Dau Glamping, operated by the Thanh Nien Agricultural Services and Trading Cooperative, is located beside Cau Dau Lake and has become one of the area's most popular destinations thanks to its scenic surroundings and fresh air. Visitors can enjoy traditional countryside cuisine, and experience camping by the lake and among fruit orchards. The site has also become a popular venue for family gatherings, birthday celebrations, and outdoor weddings.

Truong Dinh Khanh, Director of the Thanh Nien Commercial Service Agriculture Cooperative, stated that many cooperative members have invested in developing orchard-tourism and eco-tourism models—such as Cau Dau Glamping and Cham Hill Science Farm—to meet the diverse demands of tourists. Specifically, Cau Dau Glamping attracts guests with lakeside camping and rural cuisine experiences, while Cham Hill Science Farm targets student groups, offering a space for them to learn, practice tilling the soil, plant trees, and observe the growth of crops and livestock.

According to Khanh, Hang Gon Ward possesses almost all types of delicious fruits, and gardeners are shifting toward organic cultivation to produce safe items for visitors. Furthermore, the locality is rich in historical and cultural narratives, highlighted by the Special National Relic site of the Hang Gon Megalithic Tomb. This is a strong advantage for developing orchard-tourism and eco-tourism models. The cooperative plans to expand partnerships with more farmers and members to develop unique and attractivetours and itineraries, further enhancing Hang Gon's appeal as a destination for visitors.