Organic rice-shrimp farming, digital connections, and ecotourism in Long Hòa
The project links an organic rice–shrimp model adapted to seasonal changes between saline and freshwater conditions with the “Tôm - Lúa Nhà Mình” app and a “Day as a Farmer” experience. It aims to widen market access and draw more value from local produce, culture, and ecology.
- Timeline
- 2025
- Location
- Long Hòa islet · Vĩnh Long
- Status
- Active
Partners
The context
Creating more value for rice–shrimp farming through markets and local experiences.
The rice–shrimp model in Long Hòa follows the seasonal rhythm of fresh and saline water: rice is grown in the wet season, and shrimp and other aquatic species are raised in the dry season. It is a way of farming with local conditions, but farmers still need better market access and ways to show buyers the value of their products to build more stable livelihoods.
The project is developing three strands together: strengthening organic rice–shrimp farming; building the “Tôm - Lúa Nhà Mình” app to connect farmers and buyers; and organising a “Day as a Farmer” experience that brings visitors closer to the landscape, farming methods, and local life.
Connecting products, information, and experiences creates value beyond farm output. Farmers gain another way to share where and how their products are grown, while the community can develop services rooted in the landscape, culture, and local knowledge.
Three pillars
Climate-adaptive rice–shrimp farming, market connections, and community tourism.
Seasonal rice–shrimp farming — Follow natural shifts between saline and freshwater conditions, develop organic rice–shrimp farming, and help households adapt to a changing climate.
- 01
Seasonal rice–shrimp farming
Follow natural shifts between saline and freshwater conditions, develop organic rice–shrimp farming, and help households adapt to a changing climate.
- 02
“Tôm - Lúa Nhà Mình”
An app designed to connect farmers with buyers, share market information, and tell the story behind each product.
- 03
“Day as a Farmer”
A community tourism experience that takes visitors to fields and ponds to plant rice, catch shrimp, crabs, and fish, and prepare local food.
Milestones
From trials in Long Hòa to an international final.
- 1
Selected in a change-maker competition
One of two winning teams in Vietnam, the project team received €1,000 in seed support from the Dutch Embassy to test its idea.
- 2
05–09/2025 · Developing and testing the app
“Tôm - Lúa Nhà Mình” was refined for ease of use, more direct farmer–buyer connections, and clearer product-origin information.
- 3
11/09/2025 · Hosting “Day as a Farmer”
The project team worked with Agriterra, Châu Hưng Cooperative, and Long Hòa farmers to offer a hands-on experience of rice–shrimp farming and local life.
- 4
30/09/2025 · Presenting in Wageningen
The team represented Vietnam in the final of a food-systems innovation competition at Wageningen University and shared lessons from the Long Hòa trial.
- 5
Continuing development
STARS Water Center continued the project, focusing on market access and ecotourism for organic rice–shrimp farming.
Digital connections
Bringing producers and buyers closer together.
“Tôm - Lúa Nhà Mình” is being developed for local farmers, with an emphasis on simple use and more direct market connections. The app helps present products, share information, and communicate their origins to buyers.
The digital tool is one part of the wider model, working alongside the cooperative, training, rice–shrimp products, and community tourism. This connection keeps information in the app grounded in producers, products, and activities taking place locally.