The irresistible appeal of the agricultural tourism trend
In Asia, Japan stands out for its well-established agritourism offerings. Hokkaido is celebrated for its sweeping dairy farms and dreamy flower fields, while Nagano is noted for its apple orchards and golden barley. Other provinces such as Wakayama delight visitors with peach, citrus, and Japanese apricot orchards—not to mention mesmerising sunset vistas.
South Korea, too, is investing in agritourism across many provinces. Jeju Island remains a favourite, offering farm stays, tea plantation visits and fruit-picking experiences. Gangwon-do, with its mountainous terrain and patchwork of potato and corn fields, offers a more rustic retreat. It also serves as a backdrop for beloved Korean dramas, making it a must-visit for those seeking nature and nostalgia in equal measure.
In Vietnam, Moc Chau is among the destinations drawing growing numbers of visitors, owing to its rich natural charm and cultural heritage. In spring, the hills come alive with apricot and plum blossoms in full bloom, while traditional festivals lend a festive air that appeals to travellers. As summer unfolds, the district is awash with the crimson hue of ripening plums and the vivid green of tea-covered slopes. Come autumn, Moc Chau is animated with festivals and cultural celebrations, while in winter, the landscape softens under a blanket of white mustard flowers, dotted with the golden glow of wild sunflowers.
Mang Den, too, has enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years. Once little known among tourists, it has since become a favourite spot for photo opportunities on social media. In early 2025, the blush of cherry blossoms lured nearly 230,000 visitors, generating around VND80 billion in revenue. Looking ahead, Kon Plong district has plans to plant one million cherry blossom trees, with aspirations of transforming Mang Den into a town known for its flowering canopies. Agritourism: An inevitable outcome towards sustainable agricultural and tourism development
For travellers, agritourism offers more than novelty—it fosters physical and emotional wellbeing. As highlighted by VerywellMind, gardening activities are particularly effective in relieving stress, enhancing physical health and encouraging social interaction.
Spending time immersed in natural surroundings has also been linked to a surge in creative thinking and improved problem-solving abilities. The study Creativity in the Wild: Improving Creative Reasoning Through Immersion in Natural Settings noted the positive impact of unplugging from technology and reconnecting with nature, including elevated moods and mental clarity.
You might be interested in: 'Shukubo stay' travel trend: Minimalist living, sleeping in a temple, eating like a monk
Beyond offering visitors a genuine and memorable experience, agritourism supports local communities, small enterprises and the sustainable growth of the tourism sector. Travelling to regions rich in scenic beauty and agricultural traditions contributes directly to livelihoods and economic vitality.
Vietnam, with its varied terrain, abundant ecosystems and layered cultural history, holds immense potential in this area. When nurtured through thoughtful investment and planning, agritourism could emerge as a key draw for both domestic and international visitors. More than just a trend, this form of travel helps preserve the distinctive cultural character of each region, highlighting local identities while offering a unique competitive edge in a crowded tourism market. Many localities are now prioritising service upgrades, with a view to delivering more refined resort experiences and wellness-focused stays.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tatler Asia
02-06-2025
- Tatler Asia
Eating history: Where to experience Asia's most revered culinary traditions
2. Kimjang (Korea) Above Kimchi-making is one of a revered culinary tradition from Korea (Photo: huiyeon kim via Unsplash) Unesco inscription: 2013 Few foods inspire as much national pride as kimchi—and few practices are as cherished as kimjang, the communal ritual of making it. Typically held in late autumn, kimjang sees families and neighbours come together to transform mountains of cabbage, radish, garlic and gochugaru (chilli flakes) into vats of fermented brilliance. Each household adds its own variations, whether in spice blends, ingredients or methods. Beyond preservation, kimjang represents intergenerational learning and social cohesion. Historically a survival strategy for enduring Korea's harsh winters, it remains a vital cultural touchstone today. Unesco recognised kimjang as a powerful expression of Korean solidarity and cultural continuity. Where to experience kimjang In Seoul, Museum Kimchikan offers workshops that demystify the process. Outside the capital, rural communities host kimjang festivals from late October through early December, with some welcoming visitors. Year-round, Korean folk villages offer immersive classes for those eager to learn this living tradition hands-on. Don't miss: The history of banchan, the heart of Korean dining 3. Hawker culture (Singapore) Above One of Singapore's many hawker centres (Photo: Ethan Hu via Unsplash) Unesco inscription: 2020 Singapore's hawker centres are more than food courts—they're microcosms of a nation. At these bustling open-air markets, Malay satay sizzles next to Chinese noodle stalls, and Indian curries waft through the air. Hawker culture is a living, delicious reflection of Singapore's multicultural society. Originating from itinerant street vendors, hawker centres were formalised in the 1970s to raise hygiene standards. Today, they are beloved for their affordability, variety and inclusivity. UNESCO's 2020 inscription acknowledged not just the food, but the social fabric: hawker centres as communal spaces where different classes, ethnicities and generations meet in the shared joy of food. Where to experience hawker culture Try Maxwell Food Centre, home to the famed Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice; Lau Pa Sat, with its colonial-era architecture and evening satay stalls; or neighbourhood gems like Tiong Bahru market or the Old Airport Road food centre. Local favourites often have the longest queues—and the most loyal followings. 4. Traditional tea processing (China) Above Chinese tea ceremony (Photo: 五玄土 ORIENTO via Unsplash) Unesco inscription: 2022 In China, tea is more than a drink—it's a philosophical tradition. UNESCO's 2022 listing recognised the cultivation, processing and cultural practices surrounding six main tea types: green, black, white, yellow, oolong and dark (such as Pu-erh). Each has its own terroir, personality and preparation method. Tea-making is a skill-intensive process involving withering, oxidising and roasting, but it also carries deep cultural and spiritual significance. The Gongfu Cha ceremony, for example, is both a meditation and a gesture of respect. Tea is central to family gatherings, religious festivals and even business etiquette. Where to experience tea culture Travel to Fujian's Wuyi Mountains for oolong tea, or Yunnan's ancient pu-erh groves. In Hangzhou, Longjing (dragon well) green tea is harvested near West Lake. For a curated experience, visit traditional teahouses in Beijing or Chengdu. Tea markets like Maliandao in Beijing offer a chance to explore China's vast tea landscape in one place. 5. Breakfast rituals (Malaysia) Above A traditional Malaysian breakfast (Photo: Damia Mustafa via Unsplash) Unesco inscription: 2023 In Malaysia, breakfast is more than a meal—it's a cultural mosaic. From banana leaf-wrapped nasi lemak to roti canai dipped in dhal, the diversity of breakfast fare reflects the country's multiracial harmony. In hawker stalls and kopitiams (traditional coffee shops), Malaysians of all backgrounds come together. The dishes themselves often blur culinary boundaries—Chinese-Malay laksa, Indian-Malay mamak roti, and more. UNESCO's 2023 recognition celebrates breakfast as a daily ritual of coexistence, trust and shared identity. Where to experience breakfast culture In Kuala Lumpur, Brickfields' mamak stalls are famous for roti and teh tarik. Penang's George Town is a haven for breakfast-hopping—start with char kway teow, then move on to kaya toast and assam laksa. In Ipoh, old-school kopitiams serve kai si hor fun and their legendary white coffee in vintage interiors. See more: Rooted in Flavour: A deep dive into Malay food
Tatler Asia
28-05-2025
- Tatler Asia
Sip, read and unwind at these tranquil book cafés found across Asia
Café Comma, Seoul, South Korea In Seoul's Hapjeong neighbourhood, Café Comma spans six storeys and is operated by the South Korean publishing house Munhak Dongne. Widely known as one of the world's most beautiful book caféa, it offers a sensory feast: sun-drenched reading lounges, quiet corners and a dramatic, multi-storey book wall. When one is done losing themselves in a novel, they can head to the rooftop terrace for a serene moment with sweeping views of the cityscape. Don't Miss: 5 must-visit Seoul cafés for coffee culture lovers Jimbocho Book Center, Tokyo, Japan Above Jimbocho Book Center is located in Jimbocho, Tokyo's famed Book Town (Photo: Jimbocho Book Center Official Website) Located in Jimbocho, Tokyo's famed Book Town, Jimbocho Book Center is a caffeine-fuelled haven for readers. Its walls are lined with thousands of books, mostly in Japanese, making it a draw for local readers and international visitors alike. Digital nomads favour the café for its comfortable seating, plentiful power outlets and calm atmosphere. Beyond quality coffee, the menu includes Japanese curry, khao man gai, cheesecake, and a curated selection of beer and whisky. Flobookstore, Bangkok, Thailand Part coffee shop, part design showroom, Flobookstore sits within FLOHOUSE—a creative space that blends FLO's Thai-designed furniture, LIVID Coffee Roasters and a curated collection of art and design books. Visitors can savour single-origin brews while relaxing on minimalist furniture and exploring design tomes. This café is ideal for those seeking creative inspiration or simply a quiet, aesthetically pleasing place to linger. Book Bar, Singapore Above Book Bar is an independent bookstore and café (Photo: Book Bar Official Website) Book Bar is a cosy literary hideout in Singapore that blends bookshop charm with community spirit. This independent café and bookstore champions Singaporean and Asian voices through its thoughtful curation. Guests are encouraged to browse, sip and stay a while. It also hosts author events and discussions, drawing a crowd of readers, writers and creatives. On the menu: coffee, tea, sandwiches, desserts and a welcoming atmosphere. Books & Co, Hong Kong Entering Books & Co is like stepping into a favourite bibliophile uncle's private library while auntie prepares a comforting meal of toast and coffee in the kitchen. It's a quaint little space that offers an escape from the city's high-energy pace, and has so much character that one of its claims to fame is that it has been used as a filming location. Every nook and cranny of Books & Co. is filled with a wide range of secondhand books, ready for another reader to dive into their pages. Bleu&Book, Taipei, Taiwan Set within Taipei's Huashan 1914 Creative Park, Bleu&Book mirrors the park's artistic spirit with its thoughtfully designed interiors and eclectic curation. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light, creating a warm, elegant atmosphere where guests can sit with a book and enjoy a perfectly brewed cup of coffee. The shelves are lined with a well-curated mix of local and international titles spanning literature, art, design, and film. More than just a café and bookstore, it's a gathering place for creative minds and a quiet celebration of Taipei's thriving literary culture.
Tatler Asia
23-05-2025
- Tatler Asia
Why K-dramas always look like dream holidays
Love in translation Above 'Doctor Stranger' (2014) took us around Budapest, Hungary. (Photo: IMDB) But it's not just for show. When characters leave Korea, something shifts. Emotional stakes rise. Time slows. Suddenly, every cobblestone street becomes a confessional. Abroad, our protagonists find themselves, sometimes literally. Whether it's Hyun Bin soul-searching in Switzerland or Kim Tae-ri riding a bike through 1990s Paris in Twenty-Five Twenty-One , international scenes often serve as narrative inflection points apart from pegs for dream holidays. K-dramas often use overseas settings as a narrative escape hatch, allowing characters to break free from the rigid structures of Korean society. In a foreign country, they can reinvent themselves, unburdened by family expectations, workplace hierarchies or nosy neighbours. It's a clean emotional slate, one that's as liberating for the characters as it is enchanting for viewers. Korea's cultural soft power Above 'Queen of Tears' (2024) made people's dream holidays revolve around Germany. (Photo: Netflix) There's also the not-so-secret diplomatic agenda. The Korean Wave—Hallyu—is no longer confined to music charts and Netflix queues. International shoots act as cinematic emissaries, exporting Korean stories through global landscapes. In some cases, it's a win-win: countries like the Philippines, Spain and Thailand benefit from the tourism bump, while K-dramas expand their cachet as sophisticated global entertainment. Filming abroad acts as a quiet flex. It's an assertion that Korean pop culture belongs on the global stage. It's not just K-dramas anymore; it's K-culture going cosmopolitan. See more: Korean drama travel inspiration: 14 popular filming sites to visit Fantasy, but relatable Above 'Memories of the Alhambra' (2018) was technically in some kind of simulated reality, but when it wasn't, it was set in Spain. (Photo: IMDB) There's also the matter of emotional resonance. In a K-drama, Paris isn't just Paris—it's a symbol of first love, loneliness or a kind of aspirational sadness best expressed under grey skies and oversized scarves. These places become emotional proxies, transforming architecture into feeling. Memories of the Alhambra , set largely in Spain, used its setting not just as a backdrop but as a metaphysical extension of its video-game-inspired plot. In The King: Eternal Monarch , the characters literally cross dimensions, which is fitting, considering the show filmed everywhere from Busan to Brandenburg. And for fans watching in São Paulo or Stockholm, these foreign settings make Korean content feel closer to home. The jet-set future Above 'Encounter' (2018) included Havana, Cuba, as one of its filming locations (Photo: IMDB) Of course, not every drama needs a plane ticket. But as K-content continues to dominate global screens, the trend is unlikely to slow. Overseas filming has become an emotional tool, a branding strategy and, occasionally, a plot device that justifies a random flashback in Vienna. So the next time a character is brooding on a bridge in Budapest or sharing a gelato in Florence, remember: it's not just about where they are. It's about who they're becoming, one passport stamp at a time. And if they influence your dream holidays, then that's a bonus. In the world of K-dramas, love doesn't just transcend class, time and logic—it transcends borders.
