Agricultural and Rural Tourism Development Aligned with OCOP Program

The Hanoi Tourism Department is looking for solutions to boost agricultural and rural tourism to attract tourists.

After the first stage of carrying the National Target Program on New Rural Development, with a focus on making rural communes and districts come up with given new rural development standards, Hanoi soon issued and executed Plan 73/KH-UBND on implementation of agricultural and rural tourism development in association with new rural development in a bid to have more communes to meet new rural development standards.

In 2022, Hanoi had two first OCOP products certified 4-star class in the category of community-based tourism products and services, eco-tourism and tourist attractions: Rural tourism in Hong Van village, Hong Van commune, Thuong Tin district and Phu Dong Green Eco Park in Phu Dong commune, Gia Lam district. In addition, the city recognized five suburban tourist attractions linked with agritourism, rural tourism, cottage industries and ecotourism such as the tourist spot in Duong Xa commune, Gia Lam district; Hoang Long ecotourism site in Thach That district; Thuy Ung horn comb production village in Thuong Tin district; Van Diem carpentry village in Thuong Tin District; and the tourist site in Long Ho village, Kim Son commune, Son Tay town.

By unlocking the potential advantages of cultural heritages, craft villages and agricultural products, many localities have managed to develop agricultural and rural tourism together with new countryside construction. Agricultural and rural tourism brings many benefits to local communities and the natural environment.

However, agricultural and rural tourism in Hanoi is still facing numerous difficulties and limit ations. Many models are copied from others, and many tourist attractions lack cooperation and linkage with others. The land management mechanism for agriculture and rural areas is still inadequate.

To overcome existing difficulties and weaknesses, the Hanoi Tourism Department will continue to advise on key tasks and solutions. This includes effectively and qualitatively implementing solutions and tasks of the Rural Tourism Development Program and Plan in the new rural construction programs in the 2021-2025 period of the central government and Hanoi City. The department will review and supplement contents on rural tourism development into existing master plans such as socioeconomic development plan, new rural construction plan, and national tourism plan. At the same time, the department will select and support the construction and development of community-based tourism destinations linked with traditional craft villages, agricultural and rural occupations. It will encourage the development of community tourism services and tourist attractions. It will foster the construction of locally distinctive agricultural and rural tourism chains joined by farmers, cooperatives, business households, and companies. The agency will promote tourism products together with traditional craft villages, agricultural and rural industries.

Furthermore, the city will enhance the quality of tourism human resources at community-based tourist sites linked with traditional craft villages, agricultural and rural trades. Hanoi will develop and implement investment support policies for agricultural and rural tourism development together with new countryside construction. The locality will reinforce communications to raise awareness about agritourism, rural tourism, and new rural development.