Implementing many solutions to attract international tourists

Korean tourists with experiences making pancakes and sandwiches in Can Tho . Photo: Kieu Mai

Improving the quality of the culinary value chain

After experiencing making grilled rice paper and traditional cuisine at Ngan Long Home & Camp - Con Son, Norwegian tourist Magnus shared: “This is an interesting experience. The coconut rice paper that we tried to make has a rather unique and delicious flavor. The cake is soft but when grilled, it becomes crispy and very fragrant.”

Grilling sweet rice paper or making traditional cakes is an experience often organized at tourist attractions in Can Tho, because this is one of the ways to introduce indigenous culture to visitors from near and far. Ms. Nguyen The Ngoc, Director of Ngan Long Home & Camp - Con Son, said: "Not only grilled rice paper but also many other traditional cake experiences such as: wrapping banh tet, making banh la, banh sponge... We organize making cakes associated with the traditional lifestyle of our ancestors from ancient times, as a way to create a new experience for tourists. On the one hand, to preserve tradition, increase the value of cakes and traditional cuisine, on the other hand, to increase the experience to attract tourists, especially international visitors". Accordingly, at Ngan Long Home & Camp - Con Son, we have gradually positioned culinary experience tours with unique flavors such as "Death anniversary on the islet", "Banana tree keeps the soul of Vietnamese village"...

With culinary experiences in Can Tho, visitors do not just stop at enjoying but also learn about the cultural story behind. Like the way Korean tourist Ji Hoon experienced and loved Vietnamese cuisine. Ji-Hoon said: “I heard a lot about banh xeo but when I made it myself and heard the story about how the cake was named, I found it very interesting. The sound “xèo xèo” is a way to associate with the cake, or banh kep is the way to sandwich the cake when grilling. I find this very interesting and will tell my friends later”.

French tourist Harvey said: “Vietnamese cuisine is very diverse and impressive because of its freshness. I feel that the dishes here have the flavor of herbs, many types of ingredients are picked by people in the garden and processed into colorful and attractive dishes. Besides the destinations, cuisine is something to explore in each land.”

Ms. Huynh Thi Bich Tuyen, owner of Mekong Silt Ecologe, said: “In the process of receiving many international delegations, I realized that tourists really want to have local culinary experiences. However, if the dishes are too traditional, it will be difficult to approach international guests and we are looking for many ways for them to approach local dishes in the most complete way through cooking classes, workshops and soon Dua Dining restaurant”. This is one of the ways to increase the value of Vietnamese dishes. The dishes still retain traditional ingredients and preparation methods, but have been adjusted and given a new look to approach international guests more effectively.

Specifically, Ms. Huynh Thi Bich Tuyen gave an example of duck cooked with fermented bean curd, which international guests will find difficult to approach because of the habit of only using the lean meat and eating in separate portions. Therefore, the way to prepare duck cooked with fermented bean curd for foreign guests has a little change: only using the duck breast fillet combined with fermented bean curd sauce. Ms. Huynh Thi Bich Tuyen added: "Although the dishes have been slightly adjusted, they still retain the Vietnamese cultural roots and we also build each theme with stories and customs behind them for visitors to enjoy and explore. The value of the dishes will be enhanced. For example, dishes such as banh phu the or grilled bananas on the street will have stories shared with visitors." Cuisine has become a highlight at Mekong Silt Ecologe, especially during the international visitor season. According to the unit, Mekong Silt Ecologe is currently full of guests from now until April 2026, mainly international guests from Germany, the Netherlands, France, etc.

Mr. Vu The Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, said: “One of the important orientations to achieve the goal of attracting 25 million international visitors in 2025 is that in addition to building and developing green tourism, cuisine is also a strength that needs to be promoted. Therefore, localities need to promote their potential to quickly promote and spread images and brands that attract international visitors. In the context of Can Tho's unification, there has been an increase in local tourism resources and capacity. However, how to harmoniously combine resources to promote internal strength and form a value chain of tourism products to attract visitors requires careful investment and research. If the locality is strong in cuisine, at this time it is necessary to consider putting resources in the right place, redefining plans and strengths to promote”.

Applying technology in tourism promotion and development

Along with building tourism products with their own identity, the process of introduction and promotion is also an important factor in connecting Can Tho tourism image to the international market. Therefore, digital platforms are an effective approach that many units apply to approach tourists.

Ms. Le Dinh Minh Thy, Director of Vietravel Can Tho, said that with digital technology, tourists can access destinations and search for information more effectively: “Since 2006, Vietravel has deployed many digital platforms in tourism activities, such as online websites, social platforms, utility apps... providing information on destinations, itineraries, services as well as applications for booking tours and making online payments”.

Mr. Vo Nguyen Minh Thai, Director of Business Communications of Cantho Eco Resort, said: “Through digital transformation applications and multi-platforms, we both promote and introduce the image and products of the destination visually to customers; and reach many markets. Ms. Pham Thi Cam Nhung, Deputy Head of Solution Department - Information Technology Center, VNPT Can Tho, said that digital transformation is very important in local tourism activities. Smart tourism platforms, when applied, will bring many utilities in management and promotion to improve tourist experience and promote tourism links between localities.

Can Tho City currently has 3 smart tourism systems: Can Tho Tourism, Hau Giang Tourism, Soc Trang Tourism Information Portal, helping tourists look up destinations, book services and experience 3D, 360-degree digital maps. Can Tho City's smart tourism system currently has nearly 6.4 million visits, an average of 4,000 visits per day, contributing to connecting and promoting the city's tourism image to tourists. In the coming direction, Can Tho will integrate smart tourism systems from localities, forming a multi-platform system with many features to support modern digital applications in promoting and connecting tourists.

AI LAM

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/trien-khai-nhieu-giai-phap-thu-hut-du-khach-quoc-te-a191575.html