Dual model of agriculture and tourism

In 2024, Cao Phong district welcomed about 457,000 tourists. Of which, international visitors were 5,430, domestic visitors were 451,570, tourism revenue reached more than 240 billion VND. From the beginning of 2025 to now, the district has welcomed more than 100,000 tourists, in the first two months of the year alone, there were 85,000 visitors coming to visit and buy agricultural products, revenue is estimated at 51 billion VND.

The total citrus growing area in Cao Phong district is currently more than 1,135 hectares, of which: Orange growing area is 879.21 hectares, yielding about 302 quintals/ha, output is 20,348 tons; newly planted orange growing area increased by 164 hectares, compared to the area in early 2024; tangerine growing area is 9.62 hectares, yielding 202 quintals/ha, output is 194.32 tons; grapefruit growing area is 218.82 hectares, yielding 169 quintals/ha, output is 3,698 tons. Orange growing is still the main crop that enriches the people here. Each crop year, orange growing families have an average income of 300 million to 400 million VND.

The orange production model associated with sustainable tourism is opening a new direction for some members of the 3T Farm Agricultural Products Cooperative in Cao Phong district.

A typical example is Mr. Do Ngoc Ha's household in Lai hamlet, Tay Phong commune. Mr. Ha said: "My family has joined the 3T Farm Cooperative since 2021. Joining the cooperative will ensure a more stable selling price than in the market and the brand will be known to many provinces and cities. In particular, determining to follow the direction of orange production associated with tourism, we must apply strict care processes such as growing organic oranges to attract tourists to experience."

Mr. Ha is completing a stilt house with an area of ​​over 200m2 ^right next to the orange garden to serve tourists in the upcoming orange seasons. Visitors will experience: taking pictures of the orange garden, cutting oranges, enjoying oranges and dishes here.

In the poetic orange hillside space, at the foot of a clear, babbling stream, farmer Do Ngoc Ha enthusiastically said: “I bought 4 more hectares along with nearly 2 hectares of oranges I already have. In addition to growing oranges as the main crop, I will plan to grow other types of crops such as strawberries, avocados, grapes, etc. to attract tourists to visit.”

Last crop year, Mr. Ha's family had thousands of tourists come to the orange garden to experience and buy oranges in the garden. Each year, the income is more than 300 million VND after deducting expenses. Many groups of tourists, in the morning, travel to Hoa Binh lake, at noon, come back to rest and visit the orange farm. Coming to experience the orange garden, at noon, tourists can enjoy rich local cuisine with typical features such as: grilled chicken, wild boar, grilled fish, sticky rice, wild vegetables... served at the orange garden stilt house.

“Being able to run around in the garden with bunches of ripe, golden oranges hanging above your head is a very interesting and different feeling.” That was the comment of Tran Huyen Trang, a 10D3 student at Phan Huy Chu High School, Hanoi, when her parents took her to experience the Cao Phong orange garden in Hoa Binh province.

Mr. Luong Van Thao, a member of the 3T Farm Cooperative in Ma 1 hamlet, Bac Phong commune, said: “Since applying the orange growing model associated with tourism, my family has sold dozens of tons in the garden every year. Last season, my orange garden welcomed dozens of tourist groups to visit and experience, including famous Vietnamese artists. This is the direction in which I will continue to invest in additional accompanying services, aiming at sustainable development of agriculture associated with tourism to enhance the economic value of the household.”

Towards sustainable development

Currently, Cao Phong has up to 6 varieties: Golden-heart orange, V2 orange, Canh orange, Xa Doai orange, On Chau tangerine, Ha Giang tangerine. Cao Phong orange producers have been very proficient in applying high-tech processes, from selecting varieties, caring for trees and fruits.

Thanks to the rich application of orange varieties, the crop rotation is very long. An orange crop starts to be harvested from August of the previous year to May of the following year, so Cao Phong orange products are almost available all year round to supply the market and serve tourists.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Phuong, Vice Chairman of Cao Phong District People's Committee said: The district is implementing the tourism development project together with the general planning of Hoa Binh Lake National Tourism Area and the planning of functional subdivisions in the communes; resolutely directing the acceleration of investment projects in the construction of transport infrastructure, trade, and tourism development investment projects outside the budget that have been granted investment licenses. Strongly promoting investment promotion activities, attracting tourism development projects to key areas of the district.

Cao Phong district is focusing on mobilizing resources to develop tourism routes with products: Eco-tourism, spiritual tourism combined with activities of visiting and experiencing orange gardens, entertainment; developing resort areas combined with types of ecological housing. Providing services of accommodation, cuisine, learning about community culture, sports, health care and other amenities for tourists.

Mr. Nguyen Van Toan, Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoa Binh province, said: Cao Phong has planned tourism development in accordance with the overall tourism development strategy of the midland and mountainous region of the North and Hoa Binh province and the National Tourism Development Plan of Hoa Binh Lake. By 2040, tourism will truly become the spearhead economic sector of the district, contributing to economic restructuring, hunger eradication, poverty reduction, job creation, increasing budget revenue, and creating momentum to promote local economic development.

The Cao Phong orange production model associated with tourism is an attractive direction contributing to sustainable economic development. However, to attract more tourists, the district needs to focus on synchronous development of traffic infrastructure, planning many beautiful garden house models, connecting with tour routes, and linking orange garden tours with scenic spots in the province.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/khai-thac-hieu-qua-thuong-hieu-cam-cao-phong-post873746.html