As a province, just split from Can Tho Province (South) in January 2004, Hau Giang tourism is still young and reveals limitations such as infrastructure and human resources. However, tourism is considered as a key sector to promote economic development in Hau Giang Province and its role, position and effect are paid more and more attention.
Located in the Mekong Delta where, preserves great potential for tourism development, Hau Giang Province has noticed a number of its own strength. The province has a temperate climate, few storms, fertile soil, interlacing rivers and canals, and charming scenery. Local people are down-to-earth, honest, easygoing and hospitable. Culture, belief, customs and habits in the province are diverse as this is the land where different ethnic groups including Viet (Kinh), Khmer, Hoa (Chinese) and Cham live together. Hau Giang Province is endowed with special fruits and products such as khom cau duc (a kind of pineapple), Nam Roi grapefruit, sweet tangerine, or dishes cooked from thac lac fish. It has been known for special floating markets such as the Nga Bay - Phung Hiep Floating Market and traditional craft villages which showcase the creativity and diligence of fishermen in the province. Hau Giang Province has advantages of developing river-based eco-tours and farm visits which could be combined with traditional history or cultural and festival tours.
The province attains more advantages to develop tourism after the improvement of National Highway 1A, Can Tho Bridge, and Can Tho International Airport completed and national and provincial routes in Hau River West sub-region opened. In addition, the province is selected as one of regional tourism development centers in the Mekong Delta by the Master Plan on Tourism Development until 2020. As a result, Hau Giang Province will attract more investors and benefit from preferential investment for tourism.
The Hau Giang Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has also put much effort to enhance the cooperation with the other departments and organizations in Viet Nam in order to promote the province's tourism, including planning festival programs, organizing workshops on recovering traditional craft villages, implementing the research concerning the renovation of Nga Bay – Phung Hiep Floating Market and organizing night market in Vi Thanh City; sharing experiences in tourism management and promotion, calling infrastructure investment projects on tourism, developing tourism products and training human resource.
In the near future, the province intends to bring into play its potential and advantages to develop tourism integrated with local cultural activities, and associated with environmental protection and traditional cultural preservation. The utilization of tourism potentials has been defined that not only help develop the tourism sector but also make contribution to promoting socio-economic development, reducing poverty and raising Hau Giang tourism's position nationwide.
Compiled by Phuong Anh (TITC)