Connecting agriculture, culture, tourism and biodiversity in Northern Vietnam
In Vietnam’s Northern uplands, ethnic farming communities are linking agriculture, biodiversity, and tourism. Could agro-ecotourism become a pathway for sustainable rural development and resilient food systems?
- Climate Action
- food systems
- Vietnam
Connecting agriculture, culture, tourism and biodiversity in Northern Vietnam
In Vietnam’s Northern uplands, ethnic farming communities are linking agriculture, biodiversity, and tourism. Could agro-ecotourism become a pathway for sustainable rural development and resilient food systems?
Vietnam’s agricultural growth, despite significantly reducing poverty and improving food access, has paved the way for the accelerated loss of indigenous crops, simplified farming systems, and weakened links between local production and diversified diets. Along with these changes, the country has witnessed a rapid expansion of its tourism industry which is often disconnected from its local food systems. But, agro-ecotourism offers a way to reconnect these trajectories: farms become destinations, local foods become cultural ambassadors, and biodiversity becomes an economic asset. Northern Vietnam is especially well positioned for this approach, given the close interlinkages between agriculture, biodiversity, and cultural heritage.