Green tea hills at the farmstay of the 19/5 Agricultural Development Service Cooperative.

Farmstay, also known as "farm accommodation" or "farm vacation," is a tourism model that combines agricultural experiences, where visitors can relax and participate in activities such as farming, harvesting, processing agricultural products, and shopping directly on the farm. More than just a new tourism trend, farmstay acts as a bridge connecting tourists with local agricultural products, contributing to the promotion of OCOP (One Commune One Product) products and regional specialties.

With its cool climate year-round and rich soil, Moc Chau is an ideal land for agricultural development, boasting a wide variety of crops and livestock. Furthermore, the region is home to the diverse cultural identities of 12 ethnic groups, making it ideal for experiential tourism, including farmstays. Combining relaxation, experiences, and cultural exploration, farmstays attract a wide range of visitors, from children to adults, especially families and international tourists seeking journeys connected with nature and local life.

The 8-hectare farmstay of the 19/5 Agricultural Development Service Cooperative, located in Chieng Di residential area, Binh Minh ward, is attracting many tourists. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in the fresh air amidst lush green tea hills and the pristine white blossoms of pear and plum trees each spring.

Experience farming at a Farmstay.

Sharing with us, Mr. Mai Duc Trong, representative of the cooperative, said: The farmstay provides a full range of services including food, accommodation, relaxation, bathing, and herbal foot baths. At the same time, it offers visitors the opportunity to directly participate in agricultural activities. Depending on the season, visitors can experience picking strawberries, grapes, caring for chickens and rabbits, or helping locals water vegetables and harvest produce.

The farmstay of the 19/5 Agricultural Development Service Cooperative integrates a processing workshop and OCOP product display area, allowing visitors to directly experience the production process and enjoy local specialties right at the production site. Products such as Moc Chau tea, peppermint honey, cow's milk, dried plums, and apple wine not only serve the needs of tourists but also become unique gifts with the distinctive flavors of the highlands.

Sharing her experience of staying at the Farmstay of the 19/5 Agricultural Development Service Cooperative with her family, Ms. Nguyen Hoang Anh, a tourist from Hanoi, said: "I am very impressed with the natural scenery as well as the processed agricultural products of Moc Chau. Being immersed in the fresh air helped my family have peaceful and relaxing moments, reconnecting with nature, regaining energy, and balancing life after a series of stressful working days."

Visitors experience feeding the animals at Mat Pet Farm.

Moc Chau currently has 8 farmstays. To develop and maintain operations, these farmstays focus on using environmentally friendly materials, minimizing concrete construction, and preserving the natural landscape. At the same time, they control service quality, support the connection of farmstays with OCOP products, and create a value chain linked to agriculture and local culture.

The farmstay model in Moc Chau not only offers a relaxing vacation experience but also opens up opportunities for the sustainable consumption of OCOP products and local specialties. Instead of relying on supermarkets or traditional markets, Moc Chau's specialty products can directly reach tourists, helping to enhance brand recognition and expand the market. The combination of experiential tourism and product commercialization not only increases the value of agricultural products but also creates a unique identity, making Moc Chau's agricultural tourism attractive and distinctive.

Text and photos: Linh Trang (Contributor)