VNAT Organizes Famtrip to Develop Tourism Products in the Southwest Region

(TITC) – From October 6 to 11, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) organized a famtrip titled “The Southwest – One Journey, a Thousand Shades of Culture” with the participation of travel businesses and media agencies.

The program aims to implement the task of “Organizing survey programs to build tourism products associated with tourism development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas” under the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Regions.

Participating enterprises conducted surveys and assessments on the current status, potential, and development orientation of destinations and signature tourism products associated with ethnic communities. The activity contributes to diversifying tourism offerings and improving service quality by leveraging the strengths of the Southwest region.

During the journey, the delegation explored several outstanding destinations and experienced distinctive cultural and ecological tourism products in Ca Mau, and An Giang provinces.

In Ca Mau, the team visited the Song Trem Ecotourism Area (U Minh Ha), participated in forest trekking tours, and experienced community tourism at Muoi Ngot Community Village, where they joined unique activities such as wild honey harvesting, fish catching, and tasting local specialties. The delegation also visited the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site and the Hoa Binh 1 Wind Power Plant.

In addition, the famtrip included visits to prominent cultural and religious sites such as Xiem Can Pagoda – one of the largest and most beautiful Khmer temples in southern Vietnam – Monivongsa Bopharam Pagoda, Ba Thien Hau Pagoda, and the over-100-year-old Bac Lieu ancient longan garden. These destinations not only hold deep cultural and spiritual significance but also serve as valuable resources for developing tourism products associated with the lives of local Khmer and Chinese communities.

In An Giang, the delegation surveyed U Minh Thuong National Park, Sirivansasuriya Rach Soi Pagoda, Nguyen Trung Truc Temple, Phat Lon Pagoda (Rach Gia), as well as famous sites such as Hang Pagoda – Hon Phu Tu, Xa Xia Pagoda, and Mui Nai scenic complex.

Particularly, within the framework of the program, VNAT’s Vice Chairman Ha Van Sieu led the famtrip to explore the Nam Du Archipelago in An Giang Province. Comprising more than 20 large and small islands, Nam Du is known for Hon Lon Island – the center of the archipelago – featuring pristine landscapes, white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a fresh, cool climate all year round.

Nam Du is regarded as one of the destinations with great potential for developing resort, eco-tourism, and community-based tourism. Its rich marine ecosystem, unspoiled natural environment, and distinctive island culture provide a strong foundation for creating signature tourism products that attract both domestic and international visitors.

With its strategic location, abundant natural resources, and unique cultural identity of the Kinh, Khmer, Hoa, and Cham ethnic groups, the Southwest region holds enormous potential for diverse tourism development—from garden and community-based tourism to cultural-spiritual, mangrove ecological, and marine-island tourism.

The famtrip offered an opportunity for travel businesses and media organizations to exchange ideas, connect, and propose solutions for developing signature tourism products based on the region’s strengths, thereby promoting sustainable tourism development and improving livelihoods for ethnic minority and mountainous communities.

Tourism Information Technology Center