Local Specialties Follow Tourists Far and Wide

(DTO) In recent years, as experiential tourism has grown, OCOP-certified products, local specialties, and high-quality Vietnamese goods have become an essential part of travelers’ journeys. More than simple souvenirs, these products help promote local culture, people, and identity while creating new development opportunities for businesses and producers. 

LOCAL SPECIALTIES BECOME TRAVEL GIFTS

At many tourist destinations across Dong Thap Province, booths showcasing OCOP-certified products and local specialties consistently attract visitors eager to browse, learn about, and purchase locally made goods. 

Among the businesses whose products are especially popular with tourists, Ba Hai Diem Fermented Fish Co., Ltd. has continuously innovated to meet the market’s growing expectations. According to Ms. Huynh Thi Diem, Director of Ba Hai Diem Fermented Fish Co., Ltd., the company initially produced mainly for local consumers and regular customers. 

However, as visitor numbers increased, the company realized that tourists were interested not only in product quality but also in the cultural stories, origins, and traditional values behind each product. 

In response, the company has focused on improving product quality, ensuring food safety, and investing in attractive, convenient, and gift-friendly packaging while preserving the authentic flavors that have been maintained for generations. 

Ms. Huynh Thi Diem shared: “Visitors don’t just buy a bottle of fermented fish. They want to take home a taste of our land and the story of this region. Our responsibility is to preserve the soul of this traditional craft while making our products more attractive, safer, and better suited to today’s consumers. As a result, the number of customers has increased by around 15-20% annually, while the company’s market has expanded by approximately 10% each year.”

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Nhung, a visitor from Ho Chi Minh City, said: “Whenever I visit Dong Thap, I usually buy local specialties as gifts for my family and friends. This time, I chose Ba Hai Diem fermented fish because it has a distinctive flavor, attractive packaging, and clear product origin. I believe products like these are not only meaningful gifts but also help visitors gain a deeper understanding of the local culture, cuisine, and traditional crafts.”

Mr. Nguyen Van Huan, Head of the Community-Based Tourism Group in Thoi Son Ward, said that besides enjoying orchard tours and experiencing river life, many visitors also purchase local specialties as gifts, with honey being one of the most popular products. 

According to Mr. Huan, what attracts tourists is not only product quality but also the stories connected to the land and its people. 

“When visitors learn about longan orchards, the longan blossom season, and the process of producing honey, they become more confident in the product and more interested in buying it. Products that have earned OCOP certification inspire even greater consumer trust,” he said.

He added that community-based tourism not only provides authentic experiences for visitors but also helps promote and market local specialty products. 

When destinations offer genuine stories along with quality products of clear origin, visitors are more likely to make purchases, generating additional income for local residents. 

ELEVATING LOCAL PRODUCTS THROUGH INDIGENOUS VALUES

Beyond traditional specialties, many products made from locally sourced ingredients are also making a strong impression on visitors. At Thua Thien Duoc Thanh Production, Trading and Service Co., Ltd. in My Phong Ward, its herbal teas have become increasingly popular with tourists. 

According to Mr. Le Vuong Quoc Hung, the company’s Director, growing interest from visitors has encouraged the business to expand production, invest more systematically in raw material areas and processing technologies, and strengthen its brand. 

What is especially encouraging is that visitors purchase the products not only for personal use but also as gifts that reflect the region’s cultural and herbal identity. 

To preserve traditional values while meeting modern market demands, the company remains committed to using natural herbs and making the most of local resources. At the same time, it continues to improve production technology, raise quality standards, invest in packaging and labeling, and enhance product traceability. 

“We hope every product not only benefits consumers’ health but also helps promote the value of Vietnamese medicinal herbs, enabling visitors to better understand the culture, people, and potential of our region,” Hung said. 

The changing approach adopted by local businesses shows that today’s local products are more than consumer goods. They have become ambassadors of Dong Thap, introducing the province’s people and culture to both domestic and international visitors. 

In 2025, Dong Thap welcomed 7,358,880 visitors, up 19.8% year on year and reaching 101.5% of its annual target. International arrivals totaled 766,312, an increase of 23.6%, while tourism revenue reached 4.158 trillion VND, up 21.5% from the previous year and achieving 101% of the annual plan. 

The growing number of visitors has not only boosted tourism revenue but also created broader market opportunities for OCOP-certified products, local specialties, and high-quality Vietnamese goods. 

According to the Dong Thap Department of Industry and Trade, it has implemented various measures to help businesses promote and market OCOP-certified products and local specialties through trade promotion programs, supply-demand matching activities, trade fairs, exhibitions, and product showcases at major provincial events. It has also organized numerous exhibitions for OCOP-certified and specialty products, supported businesses in participating in trade fairs both inside and outside the province, and helped them expand market access. 

In addition, the department has assisted businesses in improving their e-commerce capabilities, upgrading packaging, building brands, and adopting product traceability systems, thereby enhancing the competitiveness and value of local products. 

Once sold mainly within the province, many OCOP-certified products now use tourism as an effective direct marketing channel. When visitors experience the production process, hear the stories behind the products, and meet the people who make them, their confidence in Vietnamese products grows stronger. 

This has proven to be an effective way to increase the value of local products while creating sustainable livelihoods for local communities through tourism development. 

From traditional specialties to modern OCOP-certified products, Vietnamese goods are steadily winning over visitors through their quality, distinctive character, and the cultural stories behind them. 

When every souvenir carries the identity of the local land and its people, it becomes not only an opportunity for business growth but also a natural, effective, and sustainable way to promote the image of Dong Thap. 

By LY OANH - DT
Translated by ANH DUC