At Con Son, a prominent community-based ecotourism destination in Binh Thuy Ward, steady streams of travelers flocked to local orchards, where service providers worked around the clock to accommodate the seasonal rush.
Ms. Le Thi Be Bay, a representative of the Con Son Agricultural Tourism Cooperative, said the visitor volume spiked by more than 40 percent year-on-year. While monthly arrivals averaged around 6,000 between July and September last year, figures have climbed to between 8,000 and 9,000 per month this summer, marking a blockbuster season for local operators.
She noted that domestic travelers from the Northern and Central regions, as well as Ho Chi Minh City, continue to account for the largest share of visitors. Meanwhile, international arrivals have risen and stabilized year-round, moving away from previous seasonal fluctuations. In anticipation of the surge, local orchard owners proactively upgraded facilities and expanded service offerings.
Visitors were particularly drawn to authentic riverine experiences, including boat tours along the Mekong's waterways, fruit picking, traditional cake-making workshops, local culinary tastings, and unique countryside activities such as buffalo riding, duck massages, fish doctoring, and the iconic "flying snakehead fish."
Mr. Le Van Sang, Director of My Khanh Eco-Tourism Co., Ltd., said that the strong growth in summer tourism in Can Tho and the wider Mekong Delta was due to several important reasons, including better transport options, well-developed tourism services at good prices, and changes in administration that have created more opportunities for development and improved connections for tours in the area.
Data from the Can Tho Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism reveal that the city welcomed an estimated 9 million visitors in the first seven months of the year—a 17 percent increase year-on-year, fulfilling over 73 percent of its annual target. Total tourism revenue during the period surged by 24.3 percent compared to the same period last year, reaching over VND8 trillion (US$305 million).
To prepare for the peak summer travel period, the Can Tho Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism conducted comprehensive inspections and quality upgrades across key ecotourism sites. The department directed operators to optimize service conditions while strictly cracking down on price gouging and tourist solicitation.
