Điện Biên possesses favorable conditions for developing agricultural and rural tourism. To accelerate this trend, the provincial People’s Committee issued Plan No.3745/KH-UBND on August 24, 2023, focusing on developing rural tourism in association with the New-style Rural Development Program, a concrete step toward long-term growth.

The Mường Thanh rice field can become an ideal site for a “one day as a farmer” tour. Coffee gardens in Mường Ảng could attract visitors interested in on-site harvesting and roasting experiences. Organic vegetable farms, cage fish farming on hydropower reservoirs, fruit orchards, and ancient tea plantations also offer potential for tourism integration.

This model helps farmers diversify income, from selling raw produce to offering homestays, local cuisine, and hands-on farming experiences. It encourages them to shift from small-scale production to community-based tourism tied to commodity agriculture, improving management capacity, hospitality skills, and environmental and cultural awareness. For tourists, immersing themselves in rural life, sowing seeds, harvesting crops, cooking traditional dishes, or joining local festivals, provides unique and memorable experiences.

In recent years, several agritourism models have begun to take shape. In Mường Ảng and Búng Lao, local cooperatives and households have welcomed visitors to experience coffee harvesting, processing, and tasting right at the gardens, an effort that has brought encouraging results.

According to Tạ Mạnh Cường, Party Secretary of Búng Lao commune: “Our commune focuses on maximizing tourism potential linked with coffee production. Many coffee gardens already attract visitors. In mid-October 2025, we plan to organize a Coffee Festival associated with eco-tourism, where participants will learn planting techniques, take part in coffee-picking contests, and enjoy roasting and tasting coffee on-site.”

Other models have also appeared across the province, such as strawberry farms in Nà Tấu commune offering pick-your-own experiences and the Thảo Nguyên High-Quality Agricultural Cooperative in Mường Thanh ward with its grape-growing tours. These initiatives are gradually proving their appeal and contributing to Điện Biên’s tourism sector, which expects to welcome over 1.45 million visitors in 2025, generating approximately VND 2.4 trillion in revenue, exceeding the target by 11.5%.

However, compared with its potential, Agritourism in Điện Biên remains limited. The sector is still small-scale and lacks professionalism; products are not yet diverse, and service quality remains uneven. Many households only stop at providing meals or short visits without offering distinctive experiences or building recognizable brands. Infrastructure, including transport, accommodation, and sanitation, in some tourist areas is still inadequate. In addition, many farmers have limited understanding of sustainable tourism, and training activities remain infrequent.

To ensure sustainable development, concerted efforts are required from all stakeholders. Local authorities should develop support policies on land, credit, training, promotion, and market connectivity. Tourism enterprises should partner with farmers and cooperatives to design attractive, professional tour packages. Farmers themselves must be proactive, investing, improving service skills, protecting the environment, and preserving cultural identity. Collaboration among these actors will create a value chain in which agricultural products become not only commodities but also stories to share with visitors.

In April 2025, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Department of Agriculture and Environment signed a cooperation agreement for developing sustainable agricultural and rural tourism during 2025 - 2030. The program focuses on model building, promotion, and marketing of agricultural-tourism destinations and products, while supporting agricultural product consumption through tourism. It also includes developing a database on rural tourism resources, visitor spending, infrastructure, and facilities to serve planning and policy formulation for effective, long-term development.

Agritourism offers vast potential but requires persistence, coordination, and strategic vision. By harnessing its strengths, addressing shortcomings, and fostering community participation, Điện Biên can establish distinctive, appealing destinations that both enrich farmers and strengthen the province’s tourism industry.