Dong Nai’s commune connects agricultural tourism development

Phu Hoa commune was established on the basis of merging the entire area and population of Phu Loi and Phu Hoa communes of former Dinh Quan district and Phu Dien commune of former Tan Phu district, with a natural area of over 61 square km and a population of over 36,700 people.

Tourists visit and learn about the cocoa planting process at The World of Cocoa rest stop in Phu Hoa commune. Photo: Hai Quan

The commune has great potential for tourism development, especially agricultural tourism and community tourism, with quite famous destinations and "check-in" spots known to many tourists, such as: The World of Cocoa rest stop; Phu Dien rice and lotus fields, Chu Thap rock mountain, etc.

Focusing on local specialty tourism products

Agricultural tourism is a type of tourism built and organized based on agricultural production activities, contributing to promoting local culture and specialties, as well as being associated with the new rural development process. The new Phu Hoa commune continues to have many advantages and characteristic agricultural tourism products in the locality.

One of the quite famous destinations in the commune is The World of Cocoa rest stop of Trong Duc Cocoa Co., Ltd. This is a rest stop serving tourists to visit the cocoa garden, introducing the process from fruit harvesting, preliminary processing steps to processing wine, chocolate, and other products from cocoa fruit. Tourists can also enjoy specialties made from cocoa fruit, buy gifts, etc.

Dang Tuong Khanh, Director of Trong Duc Cocoa Co., Ltd., said that at this rest stop, tourists will be introduced to the story of the formation and development of the cocoa growing region and the local cocoa product brand. At the same time, this is also a place to promote OCOP products (One Commune One Product Program), connecting with tourist destinations in the area. During peak season, the company's rest stop attracts about 30,000 visitors per month for sightseeing and shopping.

In the coming time, the company will continue to develop an exhibition area specifically for the company's 5-star OCOP standard cocoa products, as well as open an additional area to promote chocolate products to attract tourists from inside and outside the province.

Tran Thi Kim Loan, residing in La Nga commune, shared: "The World of Cocoa rest stop is a place my family often chooses to visit on holidays and weekends. The cocoa products here are quite diverse, with their own unique flavors. Besides, the rest stop is in a very convenient location, connecting many tourist destinations such as: Da Ba Chong in Dinh Quan commune, Suoi Mo Park in Tan Phu commune, etc."

In addition to the World of Cocoa rest stop, Phu Hoa commune also has Phu Dien rice and lotus fields, Chu Thap rock mountain, etc., which are visited by many tourists, especially young people, on their journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Lam Dong Province.

Than Van Linh, Director of Tri An Adventure Tourism Experience Co., Ltd., said that the company has implemented many tours and tourism products in the Phu Dien rice and lotus fields area in the direction of developing community tourism in the locality, combined with entertainment forms such as: boating, climbing, etc.; combined with introducing traditional water hyacinth weaving, promoting unique local cultural features.

According to Linh, the tours in new Phu Hoa commune  are often chosen by tourists as 2-day, 1-night tours on weekends, combined with beautiful landscapes and prominent destinations in neighboring areas such as: visiting Thac Mai - Gia Canh forest in Dinh Quan commune, Suoi Mo Park inTan Phu commune, Cat Tien National Park in Nam Cat Tien commune, Ta Lai community tourism village, etc.

Attracting investment to develop community tourism

In Phu Dien field, the scenery changes with each season. From the fresh green carpet to the golden glow when the rice ripens, each moment has its own unique beauty. Many tourists and their families come here to enjoy the fresh air, gaze at the laden rice stalks swaying in the wind and feel the peace of the countryside.

Besides the rice fields, the Phu Dien field area is also famous for its lotus ponds, Chu Thap rocky mountains... During the lotus blooming season, the lotus ponds bring a pleasant and peaceful feeling. What makes Phu Dien especially attractive is the harmonious combination of natural beauty and community tourism. Coming here, visitors can not only admire the scenery but also have the opportunity to learn more about the lifestyle and culture of the local people. In addition, visitors can enjoy fresh, delicious rural specialties with a rich traditional flavor.

Nguyen Huyen Nhung, a tourist from Tran Bien ward, said: "My family and I learned about the beautiful rice fields and lotus ponds of Phu Dien through TikTok social media. Last weekend, my family chose to visit this place. The scenery here is not only an ideal 'virtual living' spot but also a space for me to truly relax, 'heal', and regenerate energy."

Nguyen Van Vien, Chairman of Phu Hoa Commune People's Committee, said that developing agricultural tourism is one of the commune's great strengths. In the coming time, the commune will call for investment in community tourism development projects in the locality. In addition, it will promote connecting tourist attractions and accommodations with neighboring localities to develop diverse tourism tours and routes with unique tourism products and services; linking the development of agricultural tourism and community tourism with the development of local OCOP products, as well as the process of building model new rural areas in the area.

Reported by Hai Quan