Fostering Joint Agricultural and Tourism Development

“Linking agriculture with tourism not only raises the value of agricultural products and brings Vietnamese kitchens to the world, but also grasps ecological advantages to develop distinctive tourism to benefit stakeholders and promote a circular economy,” Dr. Vu Tien Loc, President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), emphasized at the recent launch ceremony of the Vietnam Agricultural Enterprises Council in Hanoi.

He highly appreciated the consensus of agricultural entrepreneurs and enterprises to create meaningful, useful and supportive "playground" for joint development.

“Businesses and farmers are the subjects but the former must be in the center. That is to say, agricultural production must develop by chain and ecosystem, not only for raw production but also for processing, not only high-tech agriculture but also organic agriculture. This is the advantage of Vietnamese agriculture. It is necessary to consider agricultural specialties as national treasures to make Vietnam the “kitchen of the world,'” Dr. Loc said.

Agriculture must be linked to tourism development to raise the value of agricultural products, bring Vietnamese kitchens to the world, grasp ecological advantages and develop distinctive tourism to bring benefits to stakeholders and promote a circular economy.

Before these requirements and challenges, VCCI will be a foundation for the Vietnam Agriculture Enterprises Council to develop Vietnamese agriculture in the coming time, Dr. Loc affirmed.

Therefore, the council was designed to connect Vietnamese and foreign agribusinesses, specially those with agricultural products, high-tech agricultural products, organizations and individuals working for agriculture. Since then, we will share and support each other for effective business performance, contribute to the country’s socioeconomic development in general and Vietnam's agriculture development in particular to make Vietnam a high-tech agricultural producer for domestic and international markets.

In the coming time, the council will encourage its members to take part in and keep continuous expansion. In addition, the council leadership will strengthen trade connectivity and promotion, develop and expand markets, and find a sustainable output for safe and organic agricultural products. At the same time, it will connect and expand domestic and foreign markets for agricultural products, search and select varieties, technologies and processing procedures suitable for farming models; and connect and promote investment in downstream agricultural processing models.

Mr. Hoang Manh Ngoc, Director of Cao Bang Kolia Resort, said, more than 10 years ago, Kolia was just cattle-farming hills for local people. Seeing that the landscape and ecological atmosphere here was very suitable for resort tourism and agricultural tourism, Kolia invested to build accommodations, restaurants and tea houses to serve visitors far and wide. Up to now, Kolia has a quite spacious property in the middle of the Pha Den Forest to welcome tourists to visit and experience tea planting, fruit picking or just relaxation. He said, “the Kolia model can be applied in many places in the country. The launch of the Vietnam Agricultural Enterprises Council is very meaningful as it supports businesses to enhance exchange, develop cooperation and promote agriculture and tourism.”

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien affirmed that the Vietnam Agricultural Enterprises Council meets all that enterprises currently need.

By Giang Tu, Vietnam Business Forum