Mr. Lý Văn Bon, the owner of Bảy Bon raft-based fish farming - a member of the community-based tourism on Sơn islet, said: “For more than 2 months now, I have been stuck in my fishing raft and cannot get ashore because I have to strictly follow Cần Thơ city's social distancing orders. During this time, I'm remodeling the raft to prepare for new tourism products when everything is back to the “new normal” state. Furthermore, I also support the frontline against pandemic and blockade areas with products made from fish during this period. The current problem is how to ensure stability for workers and the production system. Thanks to the support policy from the local authorities, it has solved some difficulties”.

When tourism activities are suspended, the people on Sơn islet return to gardening and selling agricultural products. Ms. Phan Kim Ngân, the owner of Công Minh garden, said: “In the peak season, there is not enough fruit to sell. But now it is too difficult to transport fruit and we have to sell it at a low price. Somehow we still manage to survive. However, the tour guides aren’t so lucky since they have no income”. Mr. Phạm Văn Út who helps tour guides on Sơn islet to complete the dossier on receiving financial support according to Resolution No. 68/NQ-CP, said: “Currently, the Sơn islet Community-based Tourism Club has 31 tour guides, of which 23 people are issued tour guide cards on-site. We are having some problems with the application procedures for financial support and are looking for solutions from the city's tourism sector”.

*   *   *

During this time, members of community-based tourism in Sơn islet wrap Southern folk cakes and give them to the frontline as well as blockade areas. At the same time, they continue to decorate and renovate the islet’s landscape, perfect the tourism product “Cồn Sơn hồi đó” (Sơn islet in these old days), and create some new products at Song Khánh garden, Thành Tâm garden, Bảy Bon raft-based fish farming. Mr. Nguyễn Thành Tâm from Thành Tâm garden, said: “I am raising baby fish to create the new product “fish swimming on land”. I also combine with Mr. Bảy Bon's model of releasing fish to the wild to form an educational tourism product. Mr. Bảy Bon and I are aiming for creating a tourism product that protects freshwater fisheries.” Ms. Phan Kim Phước from Song Khánh garden, said: “I am renewing my garden and planting more Sesbania sesban flowers, Water mimosa … to offer tourists amazing food of each season in the countryside. Together with Ms. Bảy Muôn, we are making products from sticky rice following the old but gold way”.

Speaking of natural fruit trees on Sơn islet, Mr. Bảy Bon is said excitedly: “The source of vegetables and fruits here is very rich. Instead of eating, I think we can freeze or dry them and then make them into a takeaway product. For example, bamboo shoots on Sơn islet are very popular with tourists.” That is also a problem that the members of community-based tourism on Sơn islet are interested in and looking for a solution. First of all, it is the solution to the problem of output for agricultural products. Secondly, it is the problem of how to avoid the declining value of products in the situation that it is not possible for direct consumption of market goods. In the long run, this contributes to diversifying tourism activities as well as creating more products such as fresh fruit, dried fruit, essential oils, and so on. Mr. Trần Hoàng Tuyên, Deputy Director of the Center for Business Study and Assistance (BSA), said that he is currently supporting the locals on Sơn islet in building OCOP products, and helping them find solutions to improve the value of local agricultural products and build the brand name of agricultural products on Sơn islet. According to Mr. Trần Hoàng Tuyên, the people on Sơn islet have done a good job of preserving the indigenous nature. Moreover, they are now gradually changing their thinking to adapt to new changes are focusing on making more valuable products. This is a good sign because they are gradually learning how to improve the value of agricultural products so that they are not too dependent on external factors, thus creating internal resources in the direction of sustainable development.

Therefore, during the social distancing period, households in Sơn islet improve and renew themselves. They get acquainted with new technologies, learn English online, train, and discuss through online seminars on product development orientation, agricultural value chain, widening knowledge, etc. These activities aim to prepare for adapting to the “new normal” situation after the COVID-19 pandemic is under control. In addition, Can Tho city has also created favorable conditions for the tourism-based community on Sơn islet to access vaccines and almost all of the locals have been vaccinated. This is also the “green zone” confirming safety at the moment.

It can be said that the community-based tourism on Sơn islet has adapted to the situation quite well. Having to face several waves of COVID-19 pandemic, the people on Sơn islet are still constantly changing and trying to build new products and services. This is a remarkable effort showing that the locals are willing to adapt to the current situation and turn risks and challenges into opportunities to cultivate and improve the quality of service, products, and prepare for a new start when Vietnam tourism recovers.