Southern Vietnam national park draws just 43 foreign visitors in 6 months

The national park saw nearly 14,300 visitors and generated more than VND1.1 billion (US$42,000) in tourism revenue during the first half of the year, equivalent to 41 percent of its annual revenue target, according to information released on Tuesday.

Located in U Minh Thuong Commune, the national park is known for its unique melaleuca forest ecosystem growing on peatlands.

Visitors can go fishing, take boat trips through the forest, visit wildlife enclosures and participate in other ecotourism activities.

Beautiful scenery, limited tourism products

Le Ngoc Thien, a representative of Viet Cam Thai Tourism Co. Ltd., said U Minh Thuong National Park is known to domestic and international visitors, but its tourism potential has not been fully tapped.

He attributed the limited appeal partly to underdeveloped tourism products and incomplete transport infrastructure.

The area needs greater investment in roads and other infrastructure, as well as improvements to its landscape and environment, Thien said.

Authorities should also encourage investment in tourism services, including rest stops, sightseeing and dining facilities, and outlets selling locally made products under Vietnam's one commune one product (OCOP) program.

Ly Thua Loi, deputy director of Lien Ket Vang Tourism Trading JSC, said the park boasts a stunning forest ecosystem that is ideal for experiential tourism.

Beyond fishing and boat trips through the melaleuca forest, the park could offer activities such as stand-up paddleboarding and cycling, he said.

Such experiences could attract younger visitors and encourage them to share images of the destination on social media.

Nguyen Thanh Sang, a representative of U Minh Thuong National Park, said the park hopes authorities will provide resources to upgrade and improve its infrastructure.

Improved docks, parking areas and transport facilities would allow the park to serve visitors more safely and effectively, he said.

Linking tours to bring in more visitors

Duong Thuy Hang, vice-chairwoman of the U Minh Thuong Commune People's Committee, said the local administration is working with relevant agencies to review available land and other conditions needed to attract investment in ecotourism, community-based tourism and supporting services.

The commune is also developing a tourism development plan that will prioritize local specialties and stronger links with nearby destinations, including Can Tho, Ca Mau and Phu Quoc, she said.

Nguyen Thanh Quoc, deputy director of the An Giang Department of Tourism, acknowledged that U Minh Thuong has strong ecotourism potential but continues to attract relatively few visitors.

The department will work with the local administration and relevant businesses to address existing obstacles and promote U Minh Thuong's image as a welcoming and visitor-friendly destination, Quoc said.

The commune should review and zone areas with tourism potential while paying greater attention to environmental sanitation, access roads and food safety, he added.

The department recently conducted a survey of tourism products and development potential in U Minh Thuong, Chau Doc and Ha Tien.

Quoc called on tourism businesses and travel agencies to develop tours linking Chau Doc, Ha Tien, Rach Gia and Phu Quoc with U Minh Thuong.

Such tours could help bring more visitors to U Minh Thuong National Park and better tap its tourism potential.