Creating sustainable livelihoods through rural tourism: MAE

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) has issued Decision No. 1948/QD-BNNMT approving the implementation plan for rural tourism development under the National Target Program on New Rural Development, Sustainable Poverty Reduction, and Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the 2026–2030 period.

Building a data platform for rural tourism development

According to the plan, rural tourism will be developed through community-based, ecological, agricultural-experience, and craft-village models associated with nature conservation, preservation of traditional cultural identities, and the promotion of indigenous resources. This is not only a solution for stimulating rural economic growth but also an important driver for building modern, civilized, and culturally rich new rural areas.

The plan aims to create a unified understanding and coordinated action across the sector regarding the role of rural tourism in socio-economic development. It also clearly defines key tasks and solutions, implementation roadmaps, and the responsibilities of agencies and units to ensure synchronous, effective nationwide implementation. 

One of the key tasks identified by the MAE is developing a national rural tourism database. Accordingly, surveys and evaluations of the current state of rural tourism will be conducted every two years to provide updated and comprehensive information on tourism resources, products, models, and development trends in rural areas. Based on these findings, the Ministry will establish and regularly update a rural tourism database integrated with the agriculture and environment sector's data system.

Strengthening communication and promoting the image of Viet Nam's rural areas

The plan pays special attention to communication activities to raise public awareness of the value and potential of rural tourism. A range of nation-scale activities will be implemented, including the development of experiential programs and promotional campaigns for agricultural and craft village tourism on television networks; the establishment of dedicated rural tourism channels and pages on digital platforms; and strengthened communication through newspapers, magazines, social media, and other online platforms.

Notably, the Ministry will gradually produce promotional films and showcase Viet Nam's rural tourism destinations on international television channels with extensive global reach. In parallel, conferences, forums, workshops, and competitions on agricultural and rural tourism will be organized to provide platforms for knowledge exchange, promote successful models, and foster innovation across the sector.

In addition to strengthening communication and promoting the image of Viet Nam’s rural areas, the plan focuses on supporting the development and completion of agricultural tourism and craft village tourism models with growth potential that meet national and international standards.

Based on a review and selection of Viet Nam’s distinctive tourism models, the Ministry will focus on supporting local authorities and communities in formulating development strategies, refining tourism products, and improving service quality and management capacity, with a view to participating in prestigious domestic and international tourism awards and recognition programs.

Notably, local residents, particularly poor households, recently escaped-poverty households, and ethnic minority and mountainous communities, will receive specialized training in community governance, tourism skills, product development, and environmental protection. Activities to improve rural landscapes, leverage indigenous cultural values, and promote the role of artisans and skilled craftspeople in tourism experiences will also be prioritized.

The plan also encourages the development of souvenirs and OCOP products linked to tourism activities, while supporting the restoration of traditional festivals, craft village festivals, and agricultural cultural events that contribute to rural tourism development.

Advancing promotion, marketing, and international integration

To strengthen the position of Viet Nam’s rural tourism, the MAE will develop a Digital Map of Rural Tourism in Viet Nam, integrating thematic maps on craft village tourism, agricultural tourism, agricultural cultural festivals, and OCOP product experience tourism.

A key highlight of the plan is the annual organization of the national "Viet Nam Rural Tourism Village" Competition, which will recognize outstanding models and help promote the image of Viet Nam’s rural areas to both domestic and international audiences.

The plan also aims to support craft villages in joining global networks of creative craft cities. Viet Nam strives to have at least six cities or craft villages recognized within these networks by 2030, thereby affirming the country's position on the global map of handicrafts and craft village tourism.

In addition, trade promotion activities, fairs, exhibitions, and international forums on rural tourism will be expanded. Efforts will also be intensified to promote rural tourism, craft village tourism, and OCOP products through embassies, foreign representative offices in Vietnam, and Vietnam’s overseas representative missions.

The issuance of the rural tourism development plan for the 2026–2030 period underscores the Government's determination to turn tourism into a key driver of rural development. By promoting the value of indigenous resources, preserving traditional culture, and creating additional livelihoods for local communities, particularly in disadvantaged areas, rural tourism is expected to contribute to economic growth, improve living standards, and support the effective achievement of new rural development and sustainable poverty reduction goals in the coming period.