How rural life in Vietnam's southern cape is attracting global tourists

Aravindhan from India, visited Bi's homestay in July and spent four days participating in rural activities in Tan Thanh Hamlet, Phong Lac Commune. The tourist not only experienced farming and fishing but was also welcomed into the village community, even invited to a wedding.

"Bi guided me around the village, and it was an amazing experience. The food, from breakfast to dinner, was delicious," said Aravindhan.

Having previously worked in the pharmaceutical industry in Can Tho City, he decided in 2022 to return to his hometown in Ca Mau to be closer to his family and pursue a passion for sustainable tourism.

Foreign tourists harvesting aquatic plants in Tan Thanh Hamlet in Ca Mau Province, southern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Tran Van Bi

His inspiration came from a 68-day road trip across Vietnam, where he noticed how communities in other regions developed eco-tourism and community-based tourism models.

"Ca Mau has the elements needed for offering experiential activities to tourists," Bi said.

Bi spent a lot of time researching materials and attending training courses. According to Bi, if the concept of "homestay" is understood correctly, it means guests stay at a local's home, sharing meals, sleeping, and living like the locals, rather than staying at guesthouses or hotels. Each operator will have their own way of developing this concept.

He then began transforming 5,000 square meters of his family's land in Phong Lac Commune into accommodation and designed experiences that maintained the simplicity and charm of the Mekong Delta province. The modest rooms with thatched roofs overlook a fish pond and are surrounded by plenty of greenery.

He also partnered with local households to create community-based tourism tours. Introducing the concept of community tourism was challenging at first, as many locals were unfamiliar with it. Bi had to personally visit homes to explain the benefits, and now almost 10 households have joined his model.

One of Bi's popular experiences is the "One day as a local in Ca Mau" tour, which offers guests the chance to engage in activities such as harvesting aquatic plants, catching crabs, feeding shrimp, and even attending weddings and funerals. These activities are not scheduled in advance, as they depend on the local life.

Tran Van Bi renovates a fish pond to expand his homestay business. Photo by VnExpress/Chuc Ly

"Foreign tourists always appreciate having control over their experience. My responsibility is to inform them about the tour prices, anticipate situations at the destination, and explain the food they will try," Bi said.

When it comes to specialties like rat or snake meat, he makes sure to give guests a heads-up.

Compared to travel agencies, Bi's biggest advantage is his understanding of the land and people. He also avoids organizing tours for large groups and limits combined tours, as he wants each visitor to have a "complete and comfortable" experience when visiting Ca Mau.

After sticking with experiential tourism for a while, Bi's homestay and garden have become well-known, especially among foreign tourists. On average, he hosts two to three groups per month. During peak months, along with offering homestay services, he arranges about 10 experiential tours for visitors. He has also taken the initiative to learn English to communicate with guests and even teaches locals some basic phrases for interaction.

After spending four days at Bi's homestay, Aravindhan remarked that he was impressed by the friendliness and sincerity of the locals. He enjoyed the opportunity to explore the village and its beauty at his own pace.

"You'll enjoy your time here," said Max, a French tourist who spent three days exploring Bi's village in July.

Aravindhan (front, L) poses with local villagers at a wedding party in Ca Mau Province. Photo courtesy of Tran Van Bi

Bi said Ca Mau has not been heavily commercialized for tourism yet.

"The locals don't feel the need to sell something to every tourist," making Ca Mau a destination for local experiences, he added.

According to Lam Van Phu, Head of the Culture and Information Department of Tran Van Thoi District, Bi's tourism model doesn't require much capital but offers unique experiences for tourists, especially international visitors, while providing additional income to the local community.

"It opens a new path for tourism development in the area."

Bi plans to expand his homestay in the near future and collaborate with more tourist spots and households to offer guests more options.

"I want to work in tourism while maintaining my true essence," he said.