Eco-tourism in Ca Mau proves profitable

Visitors can experience life in stilt houses amid watery scenery and local food including fried mud skippers or len snail fried with coconut juice. They learn to catch fish in the daytime, and listen to traditional music in a hammock at night.

Visitors enjoy water scenery

Eco-tourism has helped improve life for the local farmers.

Nguyen Van Nhuan, a retired soldier turned farmer in the Lower U Minh National Park of Vietnam's southernmost Ca Mau Province, earns an annual profit of VND300 million, which he shares with other farmers who help him.

Stilt houses for holiday stay

In 2013, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency selected five households and offered each VND54 million to develop eco-tourism. Nhuan now hosts 50 to 70 visitors a day.

In the north, Mai Chau Family Homestay, developed by Pham Thanh Binh, now has four stilt houses.

Pham Thanh Binh leads a group of tourist into the mountains

Binh often leads visitors through Pu Mat National Park, crossing rivers or climbing waterfalls, to experience the natural beauty, and learn about ethnic minority life and culture. The cost is US$20 a night, including three meals.

Two visitors admire Ma River

Tran Xuan Truong, an official from Ca Mau Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said there was more than enough capacity - one million tourists visit each year - but high travel costs and limited infrastructure were constraints.

Binh said he relies on referrals from tour agencies in Hanoi.