TRÀ QUẾ VEGETABLE VILLAGE, HỘI AN BE HONORED AS THE BEST TOURISM VILLAGE 2024

Trà Quế Vegetable Village in Hội An city, Quảng Nam province was named Best Tourism Village 2024 by the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) during the Award Ceremony in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, on the morning of November 15, 2024 (local time). This is the result and recognition of efforts in preserving indigenous cultural values, traditional crafts, long-standing lifestyles and practices, creativity and a focus on developing sustainable, community-based tourism and services; as well as demonstrating local kindness and hospitality.    

The UN Tourism “Best Tourism Village” award was launched to highlight the importance of tourism in safeguarding rural villages, including landscapes, knowledge systems, biodiversity and culture, as well as local activities such as agriculture, forestry, livestock, fisheries and gastronomy. Villages selected for the award must have outstanding natural and cultural resources, as well as innovative actions and a commitment to tourism development in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

After evaluating more than 260 applications from 60 countries, UN Tourism recognized Trà Quế Vegetable Village (Quảng Nam province) for its exceptional cultural and natural resources, as well as its commitments and actions to sustainable tourism development through three main pillars. UN Tourism officially recognized Trà Quế Vegetable Village as one of the Best Tourism Villages, based on the Award Jury's recommendation.

Trà Quế village, formed in the 16th century and located 3 kilometers northeast of Hội An Ancient Town, has the unique characteristics of a river island near the sea, surrounded by Cổ Cò river and Trà Quế lagoon. The mild climate and fertile soil create favorable conditions for locals to design and develop the traditional organic vegetable growing profession.

Currently, 202 households and 326 laborers are engaged in Trà Quế vegetable cultivation throughout 18 hectares of arable land that generates a steady income. In April 2022, Trà Quế vegetable cultivation was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and included in the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage under the category of folk knowledge and traditional crafts. 

The long-standing development process of Trà Quế village is demonstrated by the effective preservation and promotion of historical relics like the Chăm stone well, Temple of the Earth God, Temple of the Five Elements, Mr. Nguyễn Văn Điển's tomb, etc., as well as Good crop-praying Ceremony, customs, practices, beliefs, and culinary culture.

Along with the rapid development of tourism-service activities in Hội An, especially the orientation of developing green and sustainable tourism of the city; Trà Quế village has implemented the model of a community-based tourism village, which links local labor and production process with tourism-service activities to create unique and attractive tourism products that satisfy the needs and tastes of customers. 

The city is currently implementing the Tour Guide Activities at Trà Quế Vegetable Village, which have produced significant benefits. In addition, many locals' creative ideas; such as homestay accommodations, the programs “Be a Trà Quế farmer for a day”, “Cooking class and enjoying vegetable village cuisine”, and “Tourism for relaxation and health recovery”; have gained popularity among tourists. Trà Quế Village offers 23 accommodations, 16 restaurants, and many additional services, providing job opportunities and direct benefits to locals and neighbors.

Hội An city has issued many policies to support economic, social and tourism development in Trà Quế Vegetable Village. The policies focus on supporting the development of craft villages, new production models, capital support, vegetable varieties to create conditions for farmers to reproduce; the development of community tourism, promoting the image of craft village tourism and Trà Quế vegetable products to contribute to local economic development; and the development of technology, digital transformation, expanding sales channels and online payment methods, etc. Furthermore, the city prioritizes investment in many essential infrastructure items such as parking lots, roads, reception houses, and rest stops, as well as the establishment of training courses, the development of tourism skills, foreign languages, and soft skills for locals in order to improve the quality of service provided to tourists.   

Quảng Nam province will receive the award from the UN Tourism Network during the Second Annual Meeting of the Best Tourism Villages by the UN Tourism Network within the framework of the “International Conference on Rural Tourism” in Quảng Nam from December 7 to 12, 2024. The event will be attended by Vietnamese government leaders; the Deputy Secretary General of UN Tourism; leaders from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; as well as representatives of UN Tourism member countries; representatives of Villages belonging to the UN Tourism Best Villages Network and representatives of leaders of People's Committees of provinces and cities; etc.

In a joyful and proud atmosphere, Hội An city will be chosen as a tourist destination to welcome delegates attending the Conference on December 11, 2024. On this occasion, over 200 important international delegates, Central delegates, businesses, and international media agencies are expected to visit Hội An. This is a great opportunity to promote Trà Quế Vegetable Village and Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam to Conference attendees, especially since the village recently got the Best Tourism Village 2024 award.

Recently, Hội An has been recognized as a Heritage City and a UNESCO Creative City for Crafts and Folk Art. Now, the Best Tourism Village Award 2024 by the UN Tourism for Trà Quế Vegetable Village will motivate the city to constantly innovate, create and make more efforts in preserving and promoting the region's historical, cultural, natural values ​​and strengths; create opportunities for learning and sharing experiences to promote the development of community tourism and sustainable tourism in the locality; demonstrate the role and common contributions to the development of the tourism-service industry in the world to bring the best experiences to visitors.

The Center for Culture, Sports, Radio and Television, Hội An city