A visitor collects rambutans at an orchard in Bình Lộc Ward in Đồng Nai City. — VNA/VNS Photo Lê Xuân

HCM CITY — Đồng Nai City, one of the largest fruit-growing areas in the country, is promoting orchard tourism to attract visitors during the fruit season.

As several orchards in the city are in peak harvest season, offering mangosteen, durian and rambutan, local gardeners are welcoming visitors to introduce their products and improve incomes.

The model not only helps increase the value of local agricultural products but also paves the way for the development of multi-value integrated agriculture that meets tourists’ growing demand for experiential travel.

Trần Văn Lộc, an orchard owner in Bình Lộc Ward, said that with 50 rambutan trees, he earned VNĐ20 million (US$760) a year by selling fruit to traders. Since implementing orchard tourism during the fruit season, his income has increased to VNĐ50 million ($1,900) from selling fruits and offering experimental services to tourists.

Lộc also linked up with 20 neighbouring fruit gardens to provide more services.

“My family only has a rambutan orchard, so it’s difficult to keep tourists interested and encourage them to return. I’ve partnered with owners of durian, mangosteen and jackfruit orchards to let visitors experience a variety of fruits during only one trip,” Lộc said, adding that his orchard welcomed over 1,000 visitors on peak days.

Trần Văn Lộc (left), an orchard owner in Bình Lộc Ward, explains to a visitor how to plant and care for rambutan trees. — VNA/VNS Photo Lê Xuân

Trần Đăng Khoa, another orchard owner in Bình Lộc, emphasised that his family’s income rose two or three times through tourism activities at his orchard, which helped him and other gardeners feel confident about investing in their orchards.

Bình Lộc has more than 4,800 hectares of fruit and industrial crops, including 1,000 ha of rambutan and 249 ha of durian, making the ward an attractive and potential destination for eco-tourism and orchard tourism.

The ward began developing orchard tourism in 2017, attracting just a few gardeners. Currently, 40 gardeners are participating in the model, offering not only clean fruit but also experiential activities to lure visitors.

Trần Minh Châu, vice chairman of Bình Lộc’s People’s Committee, said the ward has potential for orchard tourism and has established a cooperative to support local gardeners in developing tourism services.

According to Đỗ Phước Dũng, vice chairman of the city’s Farmers Association, the association encourages its members to implement effective economic development models, particularly ecotourism and orchard tourism, provides support for tourism services to gardeners, and helps them connect with travel agencies to attract tourists and expand the market.

Dũng said that in the future the association will continue to support farmers in developing agriculture through the Farmers Supporting Fund and collaborate with businesses to offer training courses on ecotourism and community-based tourism. — VNS