Tra Tan seeks to unlock its tourism potential

Tran Vinh, a civil engineer and building contractor in Tra Tan Commune, said his family owns a 0.5-hectare Burmese grape orchard.

"Over the past two years, every harvest season the trees have been covered with fruit from trunk to canopy, creating a spectacular sight. At first, only local residents came to visit, but after photos and videos of the orchard were shared on Facebook, TikTok and YouTube, visitor numbers increased rapidly. During each harvest season, we welcome thousands of domestic and international visitors who come to tour the orchard, pick fruit and enjoy the experience," he said.

Vinh added that the orchard currently operates as a spontaneous tourism site without any formal planning. If the commune develops a rural tourism strategy, however, his family would be among the first to register and participate.

Not far from Vinh's Burmese grape orchard is Doan Ngoc Sang's rambutan garden, which also attracts large numbers of visitors during the harvest season, offering them the chance to pick and enjoy fresh fruit straight from the trees.

Both orchards are located close to Tra Tan Freshwater Lake, giving them a natural advantage for developing integrated eco-tourism products. Combining orchard visits with activities such as fishing and pedal boating could help transform the area into a more attractive rural tourism destination.

According to the First Party Congress Resolution of Tra Tan Commune for the 2025 - 2030 term, the commune has identified industry, high-tech agriculture and tourism as its three key pillars of economic development. The resolution also sets two strategic priorities for the term: mobilising resources to complete infrastructure for the province's southern industrial park and attracting investment in rural tourism destinations in the western part of the commune.

The area's emerging outdoor attractions provide a solid foundation for Tra Tan to pursue a sustainable tourism strategy. By capitalising on its natural assets and mobilising investment, the commune is well positioned to unlock its tourism potential and diversify its local economy.

With nearly 10,000 workers, engineers, specialists and business owners living and working in its industrial clusters, Tra Tan has a growing demand for leisure and recreational activities. To meet that demand, the commune has identified two promising eco-tourism sites in its development plan: Tra Tan Freshwater Lake and part of Mai Waterfall.

Located along Provincial Road DT766, Tra Tan Freshwater Lake covers about 240 hectares, including a 180-hectare water surface managed by the provincial Irrigation Works Management Enterprise. Its expansive lake offers strong potential for recreational activities such as fishing and water sports. Surrounded by fruit orchards, the area is also well suited for camping, picnics and farm-based tourism.

Adjacent to the lake are Hamlet 3 Hill and Hill 110, whose elevated locations make them ideal for developing accommodation facilities overlooking the lake and surrounding orchards. Together with the spillway and the stretches of fruit gardens, the area forms a picturesque landscape that could become one of Tra Tan's signature tourism destinations.

Tra Tan is also home to a 12-kilometre stretch of the La Nga River, where fruit orchards along its banks create ideal conditions for farm-based eco-tourism and outdoor recreation. Across the river, Mai Waterfall remains largely untouched, offering potential for sightseeing, camping and forest exploration tours linked with the existing tourist site in neighbouring Gia Canh Commune, Dong Nai City.

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To unlock its eco-tourism potential, the Tra Tan Commune People's Committee is inviting investors to partner in developing the Tra Tan Freshwater Lake and Mai Waterfall tourism sites. The initiative is expected to boost trade and services, create jobs, raise local incomes and drive the commune's socio-economic development.

Do Duc Anh, Vice Chairman of the Tra Tan Commune People's Committee

Tran Thi