Chala Farm Ecological Garden, Hong Ngu Ward.

Contributing to the economic development of border areas

At Tan Hoa Hamlet, Hong Ngu Ward, Dinh Nhut Hoa invested more than 10 billion VND in a model combining agriculture and eco-tourism (including land, seedlings, landscape, etc.). The garden has 112 date palm trees now fruiting, with an estimated yield of about 800 kg.

In addition, the garden has 10 specialized plots of land to grow clean seasonal vegetables, ensuring the supply of fresh ingredients for on-site kitchens. The pond area is also used to raise a variety of specialty fish such as giant catfish, striped catfish, snakehead fish, catfish, etc. Hoa also invested in building 15 dining-resort tums, renovating the landscape and accompanying service systems.

Dinh Nhut Hoa started implementing the model in 2022, and it officially opens to visitors on August 22. The model is expected to generate two sources of income, including serving tourists with fruit products and food and beverage services.

“In addition to generating revenue for the tourist attraction, I also hope that my tourist attraction will contribute to promoting the local image and creating a highlight in the border area. I hope that in the coming time, in this border area, there will be many people with the same aspirations as me, opening more tourist attractions to link and develop tourism, especially connecting between destinations,” said Dinh Nhut Hoa, owner of the Chala Farm Ecological Garden.

Hoa is one of the pioneers in tourism with large-scale investment, contributing to the development of the border economy. In addition, trade exchange activities at the border gates have recently been prioritised, creating favourable conditions.

On January 17, the People's Committee of Dong Thap province and the Government of Prey Veng province (Kingdom of Cambodia) held a ceremony to announce the opening of the Thuong Phuoc–Kaoh Roka pair of international road and river border gates.

Opening ceremony of the Thuong Phuoc–Kaoh Roka international border gates.

In the 2022-2024 period, the total import and export turnover of goods across the border between Dong Thap and Prey Veng reached more than 1.4 billion USD, each year’s value was higher than the last. In particular, the Thuong Phuoc-Kaoh Roka International Border Gate accounted for a large proportion of import and export thanks to its favourable geographical location for waterways and roads.

This pair of border gates now operates officially, opening up many opportunities for businesses of the two countries, especially small and medium enterprises, strongly increasing import and export activities between the two countries.

In addition, from this border gate, it takes only about 60 minutes by road to Phnom Penh (Kingdom of Cambodia). This is the fastest route, connecting with major cities in Cambodia, creating favourable conditions for Dong Thap Province to welcome international tourists traveling by road through countries in the bloc. ASEAN.

According to Thuong Phuoc International Border Gate, currently, there are about 130 vehicles entering and exiting the delivery area every day; about 7,000 tonnes of agricultural products are imported daily; inland waterway vehicles enter and exit about 200 times a day. The import-export tax revenue from the beginning of the year so far is more than 300 billion VND. The combined forces have divided and arranged personnel into day and night shifts to ensure goods flow and maintain border safety and security.

It is necessary to focus on exploiting the potential well

According to the People’s Committee of Thuong Phuoc Commune, in the 2025-2030 period, the commune strives for annual economic growth of 8.5%; average income per capita by 2030 is targeted at 120 million VND; annual state budget revenue will meet assigned targets.

To achieve the above targets, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Thuong Phuoc Commune Huynh Thanh Phu said: the commune will call for investment in key projects to develop urban areas and borders, promote trade, services, and border economy; develop science and technology; protect the environment; and continue to expand urban and border spaces.

Rearrange markets towards urban civilisation; encourage organizations and business households to diversify types of trade and services. Effectively manage and exploit sand dune beaches associated with ecological areas to serve tourists.

The commune actively supports and creates conditions for production and business households, start-up models to expand and develop industries and products serving tourism. Implement the national target program on new rural construction, striving to have at least five OCOP products by the end of 2030.

The commune continues to implement the Project on restructuring the agricultural sector, encouraging the development of high-tech agriculture, biotechnology, clean agriculture, and organic agriculture; mobilising farmers to convert ineffective rice-growing land to fruit trees and crops with high economic value.

After the reorganisation, Hong Ngu Ward continues to be the economic centre of the border area, one of the economic development poles of the new Dong Thap Province. Regarding economic development, the ward has built seven urban agricultural models, established 1 cooperative, two guilds, and four cooperative groups.

Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of Dong Thap Provincial Party Committee Le Quoc Phong visited and learned about the tourism model in Hong Ngu Ward.

Le Quoc Phong, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Dong Thap Province, assessed: Hong Ngu Ward has many advantages after the merger, inheriting many values and results of the former Hong Ngu urban area and city.

If exploited well, Hong Ngu will quickly become a leading centre for trade-services, tourism, and high-tech agriculture in the border area. He said that Hong Ngu must become the driving force for economic and social development for the cluster of 6 communes and wards in the border area of the province.

The Secretary of the Dong Thap Provincial Party Committee also emphasised that Hong Ngu Ward must mobilise and use resources effectively. The ward should strongly attract investment in its identified spearheads: urban development, industry, trade, and services. Focus on maximizing the advantage of the location connecting with border gates and international trade, building a modern border trade centre. Strongly develop warehousing services, freight forwarding, financial-banking services, e-commerce. The ward should strongly promote the application of science, technology, and comprehensive innovation in all fields, focusing on agriculture, the key industry of pangasius.