The department’s Deputy Director Lam Huu Phuc said that the ASEAN Tourism Awards is an annual event aimed at honouring localities and organisations that offer high-quality tourism products and services, contributing to the sustainable development of tourist destinations in the region.

The Con Chim community-based tourism site began operations at the end of 2019. However, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, until late 2022, it became a green tourist destination in the Mekong Delta, attracting numerous visitors.

Surrounded by the Co Chien River, mangrove forests and rows of nipa palms, Con Chim has a natural area of 62 ha with 54 households and over 200 residents.

Unlike typical river islets in the Mekong Delta known for their orchards, Con Chim offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in nature, learn about and experience nature-friendly livelihoods, enjoy traditional southern dishes, and participate in folk games.

Nguyen Thi Bich Van, leader of the Con Chim Community-based Tourism Cooperative, said that when it was first established, 11 households joined developing comunity-based tourism. It has now grown to 19 households, generating additional income ranging from VND5 to VND15 million (US$195-US$595) per month per household. Each household is responsible for a destination with various entertainment activities, experiences, and distinctive cuisine. All residents here are committed to environmental protection, particularly through completely clean production, avoiding the use of chemical fertilisers to safeguard the natural environment and public health.

Over the past five years, the site has welcomed more than 85,000 visitors, including 79,800 domestic tourists, 810 international tourists, and 3,407 guest staying overnight. The total revenue over the five years reached approximately VND24 billion, with profits exceeding VND5.2 billion.