VITM 2026 Puts Dong Thap’s Green Tourism in the Spotlight

The Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) 2026 in Hanoi is drawing fresh attention to Dong Thap as a rising green tourism destination, with the Mekong Delta province using the country’s premier travel trade fair to highlight local specialties, sustainable products and new initiatives that support low-impact, community-based travel.

Dong Thap Steps Forward as a Green Tourism Model

Recent coverage of VITM 2026 indicates that Dong Thap’s exhibition space has been positioned around the themes of green growth, biodiversity and wetland conservation, reflecting the province’s shift from traditional agriculture toward nature-based and experiential tourism. The province, long known for rice paddies and lotus fields, is increasingly promoted as a model for how floodplain landscapes can be managed for both livelihoods and leisure.

Information made public by Vietnamese tourism outlets describes Dong Thap’s pavilion as focusing on eco-tours in Tram Chim National Park, community stays in lotus-growing villages and river-based itineraries that emphasize birdwatching, seasonal flooding and the preservation of indigenous flora and fauna. The narrative being presented at VITM 2026 links these products to broader efforts in the Mekong Delta to adapt to climate change while diversifying local income sources.

Reports from the fair also note that Dong Thap is aligning its tourism brand with Vietnam’s national orientation toward green growth, which has become a prominent theme at recent industry events. By foregrounding wetlands protection, responsible farming and low-emission transport options in its promotional materials, the province is positioning itself as a pilot area for sustainable tourism among the Mekong Delta localities.

Local Specialties and OCOP Products Draw Visitor Interest

Alongside destination marketing, Dong Thap is using VITM 2026 to showcase a range of local specialties and certified products under Vietnam’s One Commune One Product (OCOP) program. Exhibits highlighted in domestic media coverage include lotus-based foods and beverages, processed rice products, tropical fruits, and handicrafts that reflect the cultural identity of riverine communities.

According to information shared by participating enterprises, many of these OCOP products have been developed with an emphasis on clean production, resource efficiency and traceable origins. Producers are promoting packaging that reduces plastic use, as well as supply chains that connect directly with community-based tourism services such as homestays, farm visits and craft workshops.

Travel trade observers note that this integration of specialties and tourism is increasingly central to how Vietnamese provinces present themselves at major fairs. For Dong Thap at VITM 2026, the approach links tasting experiences at the pavilion with itineraries that take visitors to orchards, lotus lakes and traditional craft households, thereby extending visitor spending beyond urban centers and helping rural producers tap into the tourism economy.

Sustainable Tourism Products Anchor New Itineraries

Publicly available descriptions of Dong Thap’s offering at VITM 2026 show a strong focus on structured, sustainable tourism products rather than standalone attractions. Travel firms are promoting multi-day tours that combine boat trips through wetlands, cycling routes along rural dykes and guided visits to conservation areas, with an emphasis on small group sizes and locally owned accommodation.

Several itineraries highlighted at the fair connect Dong Thap with neighboring provinces in the Mekong Delta, presenting cross-border birdwatching circuits, river cruise extensions and thematic routes built around seasonal flooding and agricultural cycles. This product design is presented as a way to lengthen visitor stays in the Delta while distributing tourism flows more evenly across the region.

Industry reports further point out that these products are being framed as “low-carbon” options, with organizers highlighting the use of non-motorized transport where possible, simple homestays built from local materials and food sourcing that relies primarily on local farms. Such positioning is in line with national discussions on reducing the environmental footprint of domestic tourism while maintaining affordability for Vietnamese travelers.

Green Growth, Digitalisation and Regional Cooperation at VITM 2026

VITM 2026 has been widely reported as centering on themes of digital transformation and green growth for Vietnam’s tourism sector. Trade media note that pavilions and seminars in Hanoi have focused on sustainable business models, smart destination management and climate resilience, with provincial delegations such as Dong Thap using the platform to signal their commitment to these directions.

Public information from the fair suggests that Dong Thap’s participation is closely linked to regional cooperation in the Mekong Delta, including efforts to build joint marketing campaigns and common standards for environmentally responsible tours. Collaboration on river-based transport, wetland conservation networks and shared cultural routes is being presented as a way for the Delta to compete more effectively with coastal and urban destinations.

Analysts following the event also observe that VITM 2026 is serving as a testing ground for digital tools that can support sustainable tourism, from online booking platforms for community homestays to data systems that monitor visitor flows in sensitive ecosystems. For Dong Thap, the combination of digital promotion and green product development is seen as key to reaching new markets while preventing overuse of fragile sites.

Rising Role for Dong Thap in Vietnam’s Regional Tourism Landscape

As VITM 2026 concludes, early assessments in Vietnamese media portray Dong Thap as one of the Mekong Delta provinces gaining visibility among both tour operators and independent travelers. The province’s clear messaging around wetland conservation, lotus culture and low-impact rural experiences appears to complement broader national trends toward experiential and environmentally conscious travel.

Observers point out that increased attention at a high-profile fair in Hanoi can translate into new partnerships with domestic airlines, travel agencies and international buyers who are searching for fresh products beyond established hotspots. By anchoring its promotion in sustainability, Dong Thap is positioning itself to benefit from demand among younger travelers and niche markets interested in birdwatching, agritourism and community-based stays.

Looking ahead, reports suggest that the real test will lie in how effectively Dong Thap can maintain environmental standards, support local communities and manage growing visitor numbers while keeping its green growth commitments. The spotlight at VITM 2026 signals a stronger regional role for the province, but long-term competitiveness will depend on sustained investment in conservation, infrastructure and human resources that match the promises showcased in Hanoi.