Farmers turn to eco-garden tourism for new livelihoods

No longer confined to traditional farming, many farmers in Dong Nai have begun “awakening” their orchards by opening them to visitors for sightseeing and hands-on experiences.

Eco-garden tourism models are generating stable income for many farmers in Dong Nai. Photo: An Nhon

From melon patches and apple orchards to flower gardens and lush fruit farms growing rambutan, mangosteen, and durian, eco-garden tourism is gradually emerging as a new direction, one that not only improves incomes but also promotes the image of Dong Nai as a land of abundance and tranquility.

Diversifying models, enhancing agricultural value

Over the past few weeks, the garden of Tran Van Loc in Cay Da Quarter, Binh Loc ward, has become noticeably livelier. Together with his children, the 76-year-old farmer has been preparing for the upcoming fruit season, clearing parking areas, tending flowers, and repairing small huts to welcome visitors. Despite his age, he remains actively involved in key aspects of the ecotourism model his family has patiently built.

Few would have imagined that “Chu Loc La,” as he is affectionately known among visitors, was once a traditional farmer whose life revolved solely around cultivation. He recalled that for many years, farming provided just enough to get by, with little chance to improve living standards. The familiar cycle of “bumper crops, low prices; high prices, poor yields” persisted, prompting him to seek a new path. “If you want to move forward, you have to change. Sticking to old methods makes it hard to go far,” he said.

About eight years ago, when eco-garden tourism first began to take shape locally, Loc recognized an opportunity. Despite having no prior experience in tourism, he decided to give it a try. He started by working at a local tourist site to learn the ropes, while also studying through books, television, and the internet, even traveling to the Mekong Delta to observe successful models. “Whatever you do, you have to learn. I took it step by step, learning from experience along the way,” he shared.

Dong Nai boasts extensive fruit-growing areas, with well-known specialties such as rambutan, durian, mangosteen, and pomelo. Against this backdrop, combining clean agriculture with tourism is emerging as a natural next step, enhancing product value, reducing reliance on traders, and opening up more sustainable development opportunities for rural areas.

By 2019, after gaining sufficient knowledge and preparing basic infrastructure, Loc officially opened his garden to visitors. Rather than working alone, he also linked up with neighboring garden owners to develop the model collectively. After more than six years, his garden has become a familiar destination for visitors from near and far. Family income has improved significantly, and the model has created jobs for local workers while enabling more effective product distribution.

While Loc represents the transformation of older farmers, Ha Anh Thuy, 34, from Bao Vinh ward, reflects a younger generation willing to take risks and pursue new ventures. Forced to leave school early due to financial hardship, he worked various jobs to support his family. Yet he always nurtured a dream of developing eco-garden tourism.

A high-tech melon farming model developed by Ha Anh Thuy (right) attracts visitors for tours and hands-on experiences. Photo: An Nhon

In 2019, Thuy decided to remove low-yield crops and convert his 1,500-square-meter garden into a trellis-based watermelon and muskmelon farm, an entirely new approach in the area at the time. “The beginning was tough, but if you don’t try, you’ll never know what you’re capable of,” he recalled.

By persistently applying modern farming techniques, his model quickly proved economically effective. Not content with agricultural production, he expanded into ecotourism in 2021. Notably, visitors are not charged an entrance fee. Instead, they are free to explore, take photos, learn about clean production processes, harvest melons, and enjoy them on-site. Payment is only required if they wish to purchase products to take home.

This approach has quickly attracted large numbers of visitors, particularly families and young groups. To ensure a steady supply for tourists, Thuy uses intercropping methods to maintain year-round harvests. “We can sell products at better prices while earning additional income from tourism services. More importantly, visitors trust what they see firsthand,” he said.

A promising path forward

In Cay Sung Hamlet, Tri An commune, Nguyen Duc Toan has followed a similar path. After struggling with unstable mango output, he decided to shift direction.

In 2022, he boldly removed aging mango trees and invested hundreds of millions of dong in building a 2,500-square-meter greenhouse to grow Thai apples organically. As a new model in the locality, it came with initial challenges. However, through continuous learning and field visits to successful farms, he gradually gained experience.

Once the orchard began producing stable, high-quality fruit, more visitors started to arrive. Recognizing the potential, he expanded into eco-garden tourism, which has been operating steadily for over 2 years. Visitors can not only tour the orchard but also pick apples, enjoy them on-site, and purchase them as gifts. With stable prices and reduced dependence on traders, he has greater control over production. “Tourism helps increase product value. Fresh, clean fruit combined with an open, enjoyable space makes visitors willing to pay higher prices,” he noted.

Stories like those of Loc, Thuy, and Toan highlight how eco-garden tourism is opening up new prospects for agriculture in Dong Nai.

In practice, combining production with tourism clearly increases the value of agricultural products. Farmers are no longer just selling products, but they are also selling experiences and the story of their farming. As a result, incomes are more stable and less dependent on market fluctuations. In addition, many garden owners have invested in services such as fishing, preparing appealing local dishes, and hands-on farming experiences to attract visitors. Some places have already become familiar weekend destinations for family groups and students.

Beyond economic benefits, the model also helps preserve rural landscapes and raise environmental awareness. As farmers engage in tourism, they pay greater attention to maintaining clean, green, and attractive surroundings.

With farmers’ dynamism and the province’s inherent advantages, eco-garden tourism is expected to continue expanding in the coming years. What began as small, family-run gardens is now evolving into a viable pathway for rural growth, bringing farmers closer to consumers while reshaping how agricultural value is created. In doing so, it not only offers a more stable livelihood for farmers but also positions Dong Nai as an increasingly attractive destination for experiential and sustainable tourism.

By Thanh Nhan – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho