On the hillsides of Van Son, Thao Nguyen, Moc Son wards... the fruit-laden orange gardens are entering the harvest season, attracting thousands of tourists to visit and experience.
Orange Garden - an attractive destination for tourists
The Ornamental Garden of Ranh in Residential Group 68, Van Son Ward is considered the starting point for the model of growing Ranh oranges and agricultural tourism in Moc Chau. The garden owner - Mr. Ha Van Chien, a pioneer in growing the Ranh orange variety, shared: "My family grows 350 Ranh orange trees that meet VietGAP standards on an area of over 4,000m2, and about 400 trees are producing the first crop. Last year, the garden harvested more than 17 tons of fruit, with an average selling price of 60,000 - 80,000 VND/kg. This year, the expected yield is about 15 - 18 tons".
Recognizing the potential of experiential tourism, from 2022, Mr. Chien boldly opened the garden to welcome guests at a price of 40,000 VND/person. Visitors can walk around the garden, pick oranges themselves, take check-in photos and enjoy fresh oranges on the spot. "There are weekends when the garden welcomes more than 1,000 visitors. Tourists are excited to pick ripe orange and feel the fresh flavor in the garden, said Mr. Chien.
Not only fresh oranges, visitors can also enjoy products made from Moc Chau seed orange such as juice, orange jam, orange wine or buy as gifts. The brilliant golden space of the orange hills in the sun, the gentle orange scent spreading makes many people compare Moc Chau this season to "the Altes of the Sun and honey".
Linking clean agriculture with experiential tourism
According to Mr. Truong Hoa Bac - Chairman of Van Son Ward People's Committee, the Rhone orange variety is very suitable for the cool climate and red basalt soil of Moc Chau. "Cam rather than Moc Chau has a sweet taste, a characteristic aroma, thin shell, and rich water. Currently, the ward has more than 30 hectares ofots of orange growing in the area of residential group 68 and Tien Phong, said Mr. Bac.
According to statistics from the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Son La province, the entire Moc Chau area currently has more than 60 hectares of turnover, concentrated in Van Son, Thao Nguyen and Moc Son wards. The orange season starts in mid-October and lasts until the end of January of the following year. The golden hillsides interspersed with green leaves, in the misty forest, have become a typical scene, attracting a large number of tourists to explore the winter plateau.
Moc Chau Rone oranges are grown organically, using hydroponic fertilizer, microorganisms and biological products, so the fruit is safe and environmentally friendly. Thanks to the strict production process, Moc Chau Nail orange products have met the provincial-level 3-star OCOP standard, affirming quality and reputation in the market.
Not only developing according to the household model, local cooperatives are expanding their scale, combining agricultural production with experiential tourism. Tay Bac Specialties Cooperative is one of the pioneers, implementing the project "My Orange Tree" - a creative model connecting tourists and farmers.
Mr. Ngo Thanh Dao - Director of the cooperative shared: "With this model, visitors can own an orange tree right at the farm, monitor the care and harvesting process, and then receive all the products of the tree during the crop. This is a way for consumers to better understand the clean agricultural production process and stick with growers.
Currently, the cooperative cooperates with 3-5 orange gardens in the area, supplying the market with about 10 - 12 tons of Nai orange each year to meet 3-star OCOP standards. In addition, the cooperative also develops an experiential tourism model in Na Ka plum valley (Thao Nguyen ward) - where each season attracts 2,000 - 4,000 visitors to visit, take photos and pick fruit.
Mr. Dao added: "We are aiming to build an OCOP product chain associated with eco-tourism. When visitors come to Moc Chau, they not only visit the orange garden but also participate in harvesting, processing and enjoying local specialties. This is a sustainable direction, both increasing product value and spreading local agricultural product brands".
Towards typical tourism products of the highlands
To develop this model into a stable and long-term direction, local authorities are coordinating with households and cooperatives to complete tourism infrastructure and build the brand "Cametin Moc Chau" to become a typical product of the highlands.
Mr. Truong Hoa Bac said: "The locality encourages households to link agricultural production with tourism activities. Orange rather than green, crispy pink, strawberries... are typical crops, if combined well, it will create an attractive product chain for tourists, while increasing income for people".
Currently, Moc Chau is gradually forming ecological agricultural tourism routes, connecting Na Ka plum valley, strawberry growing area in Ang village and Banh Root orange gardens in Van Son ward, Thao Nguyen. Each destination is not only a place to enjoy the scenery, but also a story about farmers diligently cultivating, creating sweet golden seasons.
Mr. Ha Van Chien's orange garden is also aiming to expand the model, combining the harvesting experience with introducing OCOP products, creating a space for community tourism.
Every orange season, visitors not only pick fruit but also hear stories about the planting process, care and how to create standard oranges. Tourists are very happy because they feel the enthusiasm of the growers, Mr. Chien shared.
Amidst the typical cold weather of the plateau, the brilliant yellow color of the orange gardens blending with the gentle fragrance of the Vinh Chau is becoming a typical image of Moc Chau in winter. With the harmonious combination of clean agriculture and experiential tourism, the Orange of the Capital is gradually becoming the new "agricultural product ambassador" of Moc Chau - a symbol of the creative and dynamic spirit of Son La farmers.
The image of golden oranges and sweet drops of honey from the highlands not only brings economic value, but also lights up hope for a sustainable development of agricultural tourism - where tourists find joy to experience, while Moc Chau people have a warm and prosperous golden season.
