Vietnam, a country known for its lush green landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is also home to a thriving agricultural sector. With its fertile soil, favorable climate, and abundant water resources, Vietnam has emerged as a significant player in global agriculture. For travelers seeking an immersive and unique experience, Vietnam offers a fascinating opportunity to engage with the local farming community through farming tours.
In this article, we’ll delve into the world of farming tours in Vietnam, exploring the benefits, popular destinations, and activities that make this type of travel experience so rewarding.
Overview of farming tours in Vietnam
Agricultural tours are an organized service based on agricultural production activities to serve visitors wishing to discover and experience the profession of farmer. Visitors will be able to participate in activities such as visiting the fields and learning about different species of animals raised, various types of crops, as well as planting and harvesting fruits and vegetables themselves, etc.
Peaceful scene in agricultural area
It is also a model of green tourism in Vietnam that follows current trends, aiming to provide a safe and sustainable form of Vietnamese tourism for the future. Vietnam agricultural tours help maintain and promote rural life, educate tourists about local customs, and preserve the region’s traditional farming methods.
Interesting activities during farming tours in Vietnam
Vietnam has thousands of agricultural, forestry and fishing villages. This constitutes a solid basis for the flourishing development of agricultural tourism circuits in recent years. During a 1-2 day agricultural tourism experience in Vietnam, you will have the opportunity to participate in activities
Visit rice fields and fruit orchards
You will stop in the fields and be guided by a guide to visit the famous sites of the region.
Particularly when walking through the vast golden rice fields in Vietnam, or through the fruit orchards. We are overwhelmed by the natural beauty that looks like a painting.
Visitors can experience rice plating with dedicated guidance
Shaded fruit orchards provide a refreshing atmosphere. You can even pick fresh fruit with your own hands and enjoy it right in the orchard.
Discover the different agricultural cultures in Vietnam
You will have the opportunity to interact directly with local farmers who will share their knowledge about different species of trees and vegetables. Among them, rice will be the focal point of the trip because it is the main food crop in Vietnam, a symbol of Vietnamese culture and rural life.
This is an opportunity for you to get away from the noise and hustle and bustle of the city, immerse yourself in nature and enjoy the fresh air offered by nature.
Become a real farmer
After getting acquainted with the simple and sincere farmer, you put on farmer’s clothes, take farming tools and help with daily chores. Depending on the season, you can try sowing, plowing, planting, harvesting or drying, milling rice, etc. You can also do livestock work like feeding pigs, cows, chickens.
Additionally, there are several other hands-on experience activities for visitors with handicrafts such as candy making, cloth weaving, honey harvesting, etc.
After a day’s work, you change your clothes, rest and happily chat with the locals to understand their way of life. Green tea, sweet potatoes, beans, plantains, depending on the season, are delicious and health-promoting foods that locals invite visitors to taste.
Become a chef and savor delicious local specialties
In some areas, such as Hoi An, after experiencing agriculture, you can directly prepare typical dishes from fresh ingredients that farmers grow.
Experience cooking class in farming tour
In Hoi An, you will learn how to cook Vietnamese pancakes, Quang noodles and savor the fruits of your labor when finished. As a way to celebrate the results after a day of hard work.
Many garden owners also offer services to serve local specialties such as: coconut wine, rambutan salad, etc.
Ideal Destinations for Farming Tours in Vietnam
Hanoi
This is a new form of agricultural tourism that has emerged in the suburbs of Hanoi, offering tourists the experience of a farmer’s life for a day in the ancient Duong Lam village. You can participate in activities such as rice planting, plowing, and traditional cake making.
Tourists interact with livestock raised by Vietnamese farmers.
In January 2024, the ancient Duong Lam village was honored with the 2024 ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Product Award by the World Tourism Organization (WTO). This is considered a driver for Duong Lam to strengthen agricultural and rural tourism products in its strategy of preserving, conserving and developing the heritage of the ancient village.
Hoi An
The old Tra Que village in Hoi An attracts many tourists looking to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life and spend a day as a farmer.
In addition to visiting more than 20 types of vegetables characteristic of Quang Nam province, you will learn to cultivate vegetables, fertilize, sow seeds, and taste Hoi An dishes prepared with the vegetables you have harvested yourself, such as Cao lau, Vietnamese crepes, Quang noodles, etc.
Da Lat
Da Lat is currently a very popular tourist destination. This region has long been famous under the name “city of a thousand flowers” due to its cool climate year-round, which promotes the growth of colorful flowers and various types of vegetables. As a result, agricultural tours have been strongly developed here, contributing to boosting the city’s economy.
You can experience agricultural tourism at Xuan Huong Lake with “A Day as a Farmer” or discover the use of advanced technologies in agriculture at the Mat farm with “A Day in High-Tech Agriculture”. You should also visit the Langbiang farm, the organic garden, the Thai Phien flower village, the Van Thanh flower village to admire the beautiful landscapes of this city.
Ho Chi Minh City
Many tourists often think of the lively places to visit, the entertainment venues, but forget that the ecological tourism along the Saigon River is also very rich.
You can visit the Tan Lap floating village, the Bo Cap Vang ecological tourist area with many relaxation and leisure activities, as well as the Tre Viet ecological tourist village with its vast shaded and cool spaces under the coconut trees.
Mekong Delta
Agricultural tours in this region are highly developed. You can visit orchards, taste fresh fruits, and buy fruits as souvenirs. Additionally, you can also visit Con Son – Can Tho to immerse yourself in the rural atmosphere.
Visitors can tour, pick and taste grapes in the orchard
Furthermore, you shouldn’t miss the agricultural tourism experience in An Giang with traditional craft villages such as the Tan Chau silk village, the Phu Hoa line fishing village, the Chau Phong embroidery weaving village, the Binh Duc incense making village, the An Phu palm sugar making village, etc.
Tips for Tourists on an Agricultural Tour in Vietnam
- Pre-research: Find out about the different types of tours offered to find the one that best suits your interests and schedule.
- Choose a local guide: Opt for an experienced local guide who can not only show you the agricultural wonders, but also provide relevant cultural and historical information.
- Appropriate clothing: Wear lightweight and comfortable clothing, as you may be asked to participate in farming activities.
- Hydration and sun protection: Bring enough water and sunscreen, especially if you plan to spend time outdoors in the sun.
- Better to experience agriculture between October and March: You should have this experience at the end of the year in Vietnam, when the weather is cooler, as the summer is very hot and not suitable for the farming experience.
Farming tours, though still relatively new, are rapidly developing and attracting the attention of both domestic and international tourists. Experiencing this form of tour will allow you to feel the difference, the novelty, and the tranquility during your next trip to Vietnam.
