Cajuput forest in Vi Thuy district

Previously, the area was seriously affected by acidity, so no plants except for cajuput could develop.

The Vietnam – Australia Company took numerous measures to upgrade land and started building the eco-tourism site in 2009.

It plans to grow a variety of southern special fruits such as mangosteen, durian, longan, guava, jackfruit, dragon fruit, and coconut on 13 hectares and then expanded to 35 hectares.

A highlight of the ecotourism site will be a 10-ha bird park housing various kinds of birds and storks and a wildlife area.

The site is only 50km from Can Tho city – the centre of the Mekong Delta, which is favourable to attract scores of domestic and foreign tourists. Visitors could stay at hi-end resorts, wooden houses on stilts or boats as well as engage in fishing activities.

Deputy Director of the company Phan Phuoc Tho said fruit trees will be grown according to VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards and visitors could harvest fruits at the orchard.

The ecotourism site is also expected to generate jobs for around 300 locals once operational in 2018.

VNA