Exploiting the tourism potential of O Lam

Lotus pond next to O Thum lake, O Lam commune. Photo: PHAM HIEU

According to Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of O Lam Neang Sam Bo commune, the locality has many tourist attractions that are being promoted and introduced to exploit tourism. Diverse and famous culinary products such as O Thum grilled chicken, Ka Tum cake... are stepping stones for the development of O Lam tourism. Thanks to that, in the first 6 months of 2025, there were more than 30,000 visitors to O Lam. However, heritages, festivals and typical cultural products such as: Pentatonic music, Sadam drum dance, palm-leaf scriptures, Cha Pay lute, Di Ke stage... have not been properly invested in and preserved; there is a lack of policies to support artisans and teachers... In addition, weak traffic infrastructure, especially the two provincial roads 959 and 955B, which are degraded, affecting the experience of tourists.

To exploit tourism potential, the locality proposed to soon invest in expanding the roads leading to the relic site, connecting conveniently with other localities; invest in renovating and embellishing historical relic items; have policies to support the restoration of cultural values such as pentatonic music, Sadam drum dance, palm-leaf scriptures, Cha Pay lute, Di Ke stage to develop tourism and preserve Khmer cultural identity; link tours and routes with Chau Doc, Cam mountain, Ta Pa lake, Tra Su cajuput forest, Oc Eo relic site... to form new tourist routes.

According to Vice Chairman of the Provincial Tourism Association Mai Tuan Kiet, O Lam has the potential to develop tourism, especially Tuc Dup hill. To exploit it more effectively, the unit can study the tour program "A day as a soldier" to create diversity, exploit the strongest advantages and create highlights for tourists. In addition, it is necessary to link and develop supporting products such as typical cuisine (O Thum grilled chicken) in the direction of presentation, creating on-site processing experience; O Thum lake should invest in more service items and connect tourism products with neighboring points to increase the experience...

According to Tran Van Tam, Deputy Director of Vietravel An Giang, after the merger, tourism in each locality still operates separately, lacking connection and promotion, especially the That Son area has not attracted tourists from the Central, Northern and international regions. The main reason is the degraded transport infrastructure, making it difficult to pick up and drop off tourists. Mr. Tam proposed that the province strengthen surveys, assessments and develop plans to develop key tourism products for each locality, creating a regional linkage chain. Particularly in the That Son area, while waiting for more convenient transport infrastructure, it is necessary to take advantage of Phu Quoc's transit advantage to attract tourists from other regions and international tourists that have not been exploited.

According to the Provincial Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center, after the merger, the unit will organize to welcome famtrip groups, strengthen the promotion and advertising of An Giang tourism to markets and build regional tours based on the transit hubs of Can Tho airport and Phu Quoc airport. In the coming time, the unit will organize many famtrip groups for the press and tourism businesses outside the province to survey, build tours, routes and cooperate in business; deploy a communication program on TikTok with the expected theme "Hello An Giang"; introduce new tourist destinations at domestic and foreign conferences and fairs...

According to the Department of Tourism, O Lam has a diverse natural landscape from streams, lakes, hills, and a unique cave system. Coming here, visitors can not only immerse themselves in the beautiful wild scenery but also listen to many heroic anecdotes and official histories, admire diverse war relics in the southwestern border area and enjoy many exciting games.

To promote the development of O Lam tourism, in the coming time, the tourism industry will coordinate with the locality, the Management Board of Tuc Dup Hill Tourist Area and related units to include these areas and points in the tourism development planning for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050; At the same time, it is integrated into the province's general tourism development project, clearly identifying the main tourism products and supporting products for effective implementation... "Based on the proposals of the locality, suggestions from tourism businesses, travel agencies, especially proposals on transport infrastructure serving tourism, the Department proposes to the Provincial People's Committee to request investment policies. In addition, the Department continues to open training courses and foster tourism skills, including the application of technology according to local needs. We are committed to accompanying and supporting O Lam in particular and localities in general in promoting, calling for investment and promoting tourism, contributing to the sustainable development of the province's tourism industry", said Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism Nguyen Thanh Quoc.

PHAM HIEU

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/khai-thac-tiem-nang-du-lich-o-lam-a462431.html