The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho is promoting community tourism on Cồn Sơn Islet in Binh Thuy District.

The 67ha islet attracts tourists with its serene setting, fresh air, fruit orchards, floating houses, and delicious traditional southern cakes made by locals. 

“The city aims to turn Con Son into a popular attraction for local and foreign tourists,” Le Van Tam, deputy chairman of the Can Tho People’s Committee, said.

Situated in the Hau River, a tributary of the Mekong River, the 67ha islet attracts tourists with its serene setting, fresh air, fruit orchards, floating houses, and delicious traditional southern cakes made by locals.

It is 600 metres from the river bank and takes only five minutes by boat from Cô Bắc boat station.

According to Phan Thi Nguyet, deputy chairwoman of the Binh Thuy District People’s Committee, 74 households live on the islet, earning their livelihoods from farming and tourism.

Fifteen of them offer community tourism services to tourists such as catching fish in ponds, making cakes together with their hosts, visiting fruit orchards and homestay.

Tâm said the city would provide all required support for the islet, with top priority being its infrastructure.

There is now only one boat to Cồn Sơn from Cô Bắc boat station, and the city plans to build a new boat station.

The city will upgrade roads and deploy electric vehicles for visitors to tour the islet.

It has also instructed the district to establish a management board to support locals with and instruct them in sustainable tourism. The board will be managed by the city Tourism Association.

Tâm added that local households offering tourism services should work together to provide quality services to attract more and more tourists.

Le Thi Be Bay, deputy head of Binh Thuy District’s culture and information office and the person in charge of tourism services on Con Son, said: “The district began community tourism on Con Son in late 2014, and it quickly became a favourite with local and foreign tourists.”

She said the islet received more than 150,000 visitors in 2015, a surprisingly high figure.

Nguyet said: “Community tourism has been booming in the Mekong Delta. I’m worried that if we have no new services, we will gradually decline.”

VNS