A research to assess community ecotourism and suggestions of solutions for sustainable tourism development in Van Don District, Quang Ninh province

A research to assess community eco-tourism
and suggestions of solutions for sustainable
tourism development in Van Don District,
Quang Ninh province

Ngô Hải Ninh

Viện Việt Nam học và Khoa học Phát triển
Luận văn Thạc sĩ Chuyên ngành: Việt Nam học; Mã số: 60 31 60
Người hướng dẫn: GS. TSKH. Trương Quang Học
Năm bảo vệ: 2011

Keywords. Du lịch sinh thái; Du lịch bền vững; Vân Đồn; Quảng Ninh
Content.
INTRODUCTION
1. Aims of the study
*Rationale of the study
Tourism is nowadays becoming a indispensable need in the socio-economy all around the world.
Tourism activities is rapidly developing and becoming an important economic sector of many
countries. Tourism is called a “non-smoke industry” due to the huge income from its activities.
In the eco-friendly orientation, sustainable development and response to global climate change of
the economic sectors, the tourism industry has emerged some tourism forms associated with
environmental protection, such as eco-tourism, country tourism, community tourism
As a result, the study of the development of this tourism type is essential. Located about 40
kilometers from Ha Long city (Quang Ninh province), Van Don is known as one of the attractive
landscape for eco-tourism of Quang Ninh. In the overall plan for tourism development of Quang
Ninh, period 2000-2010, Van Don was identified as one of four key areas to develop tourism.
In particular, the Prime Minister has delivered the Decision No. 786/QD-TTg dated 07.26.2007
on the approval of the project "Development of socio-economic in Van Don Economic Zone in
2020 and a vision to 2030", which focuses on "Building the general economy of the island
district of Van Don to be a high-quality resort island."

With the natural tourism resources and rich human history along with a long history of tradition,
Van Don Island district has great potentials to develop tourism, especially community
ecotourism. In fact, the inner strength of Van Don has not been effectively made advantage;
people of the island have a low living standard.
Though the living standard of many communes is being improved and income from tourism
development is increased, the risk of poverty again hasn’t disappeared due to the unsustainable
tourism investment and development. It can be said that natural conditions, the issue of human
resources and infrastructure are three fundamental elements which have a direct effect on the
economic value from tourism.
The communes who have potentials to develop ecotourism face difficulties due to limited power
system and fresh water for people and for tourists. In addition, the local community doesn’t often
take part in tourism activities, economic benefits is low and unusual, depending largely on the
tourist season.
The form of participation of the local people almost spontaneous, stem from the rule of supply -
demand (That is when the tourists need something, people see the revenues from that service to
improve their life, therefore, they participate actively). For the purpose of investment in tourism
development, the area of agriculture and aquaculture production is becoming narrow.
Consequently, solving jobs for local people is more and more urgent.
From the above fact, the author courageously chosen the study: "A research to assess community
eco-tourism and suggestions of solutions for sustainable tourism development in Van Don
District, Quang Ninh province" as my master's degree graduation study, major Vietnam, in the
hope of contribution to the sustainable tourism development particularly in Van Don district and
generally Quang Ninh province.
*Scientific significance of the study
The results of the study contributes to further clarify the concepts of ecotourism, community
tourism, sustainable tourism development - a development has multiple meanings and prospects
in Vietnam nowadays.
*Practical significance of the study
- Communities eco-tourism model towards sustainable development proposed in the thesis can
be applied to improve the quality and effectiveness of current tourism activities in Van Don and

to do further research and build a model community ecotourism towards sustainable
development in Van Don district, Quang Ninh province.
- The results of the thesis can be used as a reference for other districts in similar situations of this
field.
2. Background
There have been so far many scientific articles, documents and research of the author to write
about Van Don, Quang Ninh, but most of them are historical studies, folklores and coastal people
to praise the natural beauty of this place. Several master theses refer to the object of their studies
as tourism contributing to tourism development in Van Don, but they only focus on the potentials
and policies to develop the planned functional tourism areas. The study on community eco-
tourism associated with objective of sustainable development is a branch new research which has
never done before yet.
3. Object and scope of the study
- Object of the study
+ Ecotourism potentials in Van Don District.
+ Community ecotourism activities being done in Van Don District towards a sustainable
development.
+ Local people who are living in the areas belong to the planned ecotourism in Van Don District.
- Scope of the study
+ Place: Inner town of Cai Rong, areas along coast in Ha Long District, islands of Minh Chau,
Quan Lan, Ba Mun, Ngoc Vung in Van Don District, Quang Ninh Province.
+ Time: The research is done in 3 years, from 2009 to 2011.
4. Study methodology and methods
4.1 Methodology
4.2 . Methods
Thesis has used the following research methods:
- Methods of collection and analysis of documents and data: The author has conducted
collecting published documents, data, work and; studies, magazines, books, internet; documents
delivered by travel agents; reports of People's Committee of Van Don district over the years,
updated data on tourism activities by the Culture and Information Office of Van Don district,

Bai Tu Long National Park
- On - Field Survey Methods: This method is used to investigate the synthesis of natural
conditions, economic and social subjects to supplement, modify and update the latest
information. Also, the direct surveys locally helps author the thoroughly evaluate of the current
eco-tourism activities in the local community, which will be a factual basis to help the author
propose some solutions for tourism development in line with local condition. Surveys on the
studied area were divided into three phases: Phase 1 (from late December to early January 2010),
Phase 2 (from June 24 to June 30, 2011); Stage 3 (end of September 2011).
- Methods of Sociological Investigation: The author interviewed experts, got ideas from some
experts in tourism activities in the district of Van Don to serve as basis for the comments,
remarks of the thesis; In addition, interviewing and questionnaire survey conducted with 100
questionnaire papers delivered to the local people involved in tourism activities in Van Don
(Minh Chau commune, Quan Lan commune ) 100 questionnaire papers were given to visitors
to Van Don. Moreover, the author also carried out some live interviews with the waiters,
waitresses, receptionists and other staff at hotels and resorts in Van Don. Summing up the
results of interviews and questionnaires, the author will have a basis for proposals contributed to
the complete the sustainable community eco-tourism development in Van Don.
- Expert Consultation : Get consultation of local and national managers and professors in
tourism.
5. The structure of thesis
Apart from the introduction (7 pages), conclusion (4 pages), list of abbreviations, list of tables,
list of references and appendices, the main contents of the thesis consists of three chapters:
Chapter 1: Theoretical basis of community eco-tourism towards sustainable development (18
pages)
Chapter 2: Status and potentials of community ecotourism activities in Van Don District, Quang
Ninh Province(46 pages)
Chapter 3: Suggested solutions for sustainable community ecotourism development in Van Don
District, Quang Ninh Province (20 pages).
CHAPTER 1. THEORETICAL BASIS OF COMMUNITY ECOTOURISM TOWARDS
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

1.1. Ecotourism
In the developed countries, the type of ecotourism is well developed, typically as European
Community (EU), United States, Canada, Australia Ecotourism has been developed in the
developing countries: Nepal, Kenya, Thailand, Malaysia, some regions in China and Central
America They have successfully built the ecotourism models, such as Ecomost of the EU
(European Community Models of Sustainable Tourism), ecotourism villages of Austria,
Huangshan model in China, community-based ecotourism model in Nepal.
Since late 1990, Ecotourism has caused the attention at the national level with the participation
of large organizations such as the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism; IUCN With
the financial support from international organizations, Vietnam has opened many training
courses, seminars on ecotourism. However, this work mainly focuses on national parks and
natural conservation areas such as: Cuc Phuong, Cat Ba, Ba, Ba Vi, Bach Ma There have been
many agencies and individuals with emphasis on research and application of ecotourism in
Vietnam. Thus, living environment of plants and animals, air quality, water quality and soil
environment had unbeneficial changes with the life of plants and animals and humans because of
tourist activities. Therefore, the development of ecotourism forms requires the strict management
and diminution of the negative impacts of tourism on the ecological environment to ensure
sustainable development objectives.
1.2. Community-based tourism
For tourism, community tourism form contributes to diversify tourism products, attract tourists
and protect tourism resources. For the community, community tourism has equitable distribution
of benefits from tourism activities for the participants, including local community. Community
tourism brings economic benefits to the community members participating directly to provide
services to tourists, and the whole community will benefit from the contribution of tourism
activities on the local environment, society economy and culture. Community tourism is only
developed in a condition that the destination has rich and pristine natural tourism resources and
unique human and distinctive tourism resources. At the same time, community tourism must
possess strong traditional cultural values reflecting the ethnic characteristics, and especially they
must have right responsibility recognition on tourism development and resource conservation.
1.3. Sustainable Tourism Development

Since the early 90s, scientists around the world have referred to tourism development for
the pure economic purpose causing threat to ecological environment and local culture. The
consequences of this impact will affect to the long-term development of the tourism industry.
Therefore, the requirement of study on "Sustainable Tourism Development" is appeared to limit
the negative impacts of tourism activities to ensure the long-term development. Some forms of
tourism initially interested in environmental aspects have begun to appear, such as: ecotourism,
community-based tourism, exploration tourism, adventure tourism that has helped raise image
of a direction of tourism development with responsibility, ensuring sustainable development.
Currently, in the process of knowledge unity, the concept of sustainable tourism development
still has much differences, especially the point of view as perspective of sustainable tourism
development should ensure the principles of resource, environmental and cultural conservation
with the view that the leading principle of sustainable tourism development is economic growth
brought by tourism. Economic perspective that the main interest for the development of tourism
profits; "Sustainable tourism is the tourism activities in which there is sustained growth in a
determined time period". However, this concept is subject to much criticism scientists, especially
researchers on environmental resources. Thus, sustainable tourism development is a
subsidiary of sustainable development identified by Brundtlant Commission in 1987. The focus
of sustainable tourism development is to struggle for balance between socio-economic objectives
and conservation of resources, environment and community culture as to increase tourist’s
satisfaction of increasingly high and diversified demand. This balance may change over time,
when there is a change in the social rules, the conditions to ensure the ecological environment
and development of science and technology. Although the approach ensuring sustainable tourism
development must be based on the balance of environmental resources with a unified planning.
Sustainable tourism in Vietnam is still a new concept. But, through the lessons and experience of
tourism development in many countries in the region and the world, awareness of a tourism
development method with responsible for the environment, effective to teach, educate, raise
awareness to the community have appeared in Vietnam in the form of various types of
sightseeing, learning, studying tours with the name "Community Ecotourism" " Ecotourism"
Sub-conclusion of Chapter 1
Chapter 1 of the study has solved three problems: Theoretical basis; factual basis of the

type of community ecotourism and sustainable development in general and sustainable tourism
development in particular.
In the theoretical basis, the author has emphasized the concept of ecotourism, community
tourism and sustainable tourism development as a theoretical foundation for the study. The
author has also pointed out the meaning, principles and conditions for the community-based
tourism development, besides; the author has also referred to the characteristics, purpose and
relationships between local community and tourism work. In practical basis, the author has made
the development model and the lessons learned with two examples in Thailand and Nepal, two
countries well known to operate community-based ecotourism. That is the basis of the premise
for the analysis of potential and actual situation of community ecotourism development in Van
Don district towards sustainable development which will be presented in Chapter 2. Based on a
diagram of the development model of the two countries on which the author can build
community ecotourism development model towards sustainable development for the study
subjects in Chapter 3.
CHAPTER 2. STATUS AND POTENTIALS OF COMMUNITY ECOTOURISM ACTIVITIES
IN VAN DON DISTRICT, QUANG NINH PROVINCE
2.1. General introduction to Van Don district
2.1.1. Geographic site
Located in the northernmost area of Vietnam and Mong Cai international border gate in the
southwest border of China about 120 km, Van Don is a mountainous island district located in the
southeastern of Quang Ninh province, with coordinates from 20o40' to 21o12' north latitude and
from 107o19' to 107o42' east longitude. Geographical location of Van Don district is specified:
Bordering to the north and northeastern with Tien Yen and Dam Ha district, bordering to the
East with Co To district and Bai Tu Long Bay, bordering to the west with Cam Pha township,
bordering to the south of Tonkin Gulf.
2.1.2. Area
Van Don district has a total area of 2,171.33 km2, of which the natural land area of
551.33 km2, 1620 km2 of the open sea. Island District includes 11 communes and one town of
Cai Rong. The district has a total of 600 islands in Bai Tu Long Bay, which has more than 20
resided islands. The largest island is Cai Bau with width of 17,212 ha, including Cai Rong town

as the economic, political and social center of the district and 6 communes: Dong Xa, Ha Long,
Van Yen, Doan Ket, Binh Dan, and Dai Xuyen. Van Hai Islands have five communes of Quan
Lan, Minh Chau, Ngoc Vung, Thang Loi and Ban Sen.
2.1.3. Population and population distribution
As of 31/12/2009, Van Don district had a population of 41,081 people, 9,130 households,
with nine ethnic groups: Kinh, Tay, Nung, Dao, Muong, San Diu, Cao Lan, Hoa, and Than Sin
coexisting in harmony, in which, the Kinh accounts for 88.6%, other ethnic groups account for
11.4%. The population distribution is not uniform across 20 islands, in 80 communes and
villages, the most densely in Cai Bau island and Quan Lan Island. Population density: 75.4
people per km2. Population is concentrated on a number of communes (most populous as Dong
Xa, over 9,000 people), the rest is scattered over the island communes, Minh Chau commune had
the least population of 900 people (2009 figures).
2.2. The potential for community ecotourism in Van Don, Quang Ninh
2.2.1. The potential of the topography and geology for tourism
Karst limestone topography interspersed with soil islands is the outstanding universal
value of the topography, geology in Van Don - Bai Tu Long zone, conical Karst towers are
common in Bai Tu Long bay, developing limestone island landscape, and it is a region having
international significance on Karst landscape, as the basis of geomorphological science. Marine
erosion of limestone islands is the features, over the period of erosion; many islands have been
forming the narrow spikes. There is the cave formation process lasted from the start with the
existence of an aggressive basis to this day.
The topography of Van Don is very diverse with mountains, sea, stone island, soil islands with
pools, tidal and mangrove coastal flats The types of terrain have created for natural ecological
landscapes of Van Don particularly attractive characteristics.
2.2.2. Climate potential
The climate of Van Don has features of a tropical climate with two seasons: summer and winter,
the average annual temperature is between 22 – 24oC. Van Don is located the monsoon region
from March to August, Southeast winds blowing in from the sea to make it cool, the winter is
directly affected by the cold and dry northeast monsoon (NPc). Van Don has many sub-climate
regions, high radiation, more fog, rain and wind storms Average annual rainfall is 2,000 mm,

the rainy season is from May to October (in rainy season, it reaches 2,225 mm). Annual average
humidity is 84%, 70%in the dry season and lower. The dangerous weather phenomena such as
thunderstorm, high winds do not occur as much as the lowland and midland. This climate
condition is very favorable for development of tourism such as resorts, beach, and ecological
cultural and adventure tourism.
2.2.3. Hydrographical, maritime potential for tourism
Regarding flow: because the river systems are not big, in addition the coastline is sinuous
and separated by mountains, so the influence of water current from rivers to the sea is great. The
flow here is mainly dominated tidal current, middle flow is usually narrow, with greater speed.
The largest river in the district is Voi Lon (19km long), because the river system is not big, so it
normally lacks of water in the dry season, particularly affecting the daily life of people,
especially communes in island. Regarding hydration: the temperature of sea water is changed
according to seasons, the highest is in the summer, and salinity of sea water is also changed
according to seasons. In winter water temperature is about 180C, the lowest temperature is in
January; in summer water temperature is around 280C, the average annual water temperature
fluctuates between 22 – 240C.
2.2.4. Biodiversity potential for tourism
Van Don has the advantage of environment assessed about biological value similar to Ha
Long Bay. Surrounding the islands of the district is a large fishery in the northern Gulf coast with
beaches and coastal and mangrove areas making plentiful fishery and marine resources.
Ecosystem: Ecosystem of green broad-leaved tropical forests on limestone mountain;Ecosystem
of broad-leaved forests on tropical mountain; Ecosystem of mangrove forestd; Ecosystem of
coral reef; Ecosystem of sea plants; Ecosystem of farming valley on limestone mountain. In
short, biodiversity is a necessary factor to develop forms of tourism ecological. Thus,
conservation of biodiversity will help to ecotourism operation conditions for survival and
development.
2.2.5. Some of the typical tourism destinations
- Soi Nhu Cave; Ha Giat cave; Ngoc Vung site; Cai De cave; Minh Chau Forest; Cat Quyt
mangrove forest; Beach clusters of Minh Chau - Son Hao - Quan Lan - Ngoc Vung; Long
Beach…

2.2.6. Humanity tourism resources
Coming to Van Don, combining with visits to natural attractions, tourists have the
opportunity to visit the ancient trading port of Van Don which was prosperous and crowded from
ancient times. As an area with wonder island system in sequence with the region of Ha Long
long ago became the famous scenic spots of the country associated with tradition of Halong, Bai
Tu Long. Van Don has more than 600 large and small islands woven into the walls, the grill area
of the country, a busy commercial port areas of the country since the period Ly - Tran (XI-XII
century). Van Don is an outdoor geological museum, according to historic record of 19th Thien
Hung year in the Tran dynasty,Van Don was established (with Binh Hai border pass). This is
also the cradle of Ha Long culture, Soi Nhu culture. Cai Beo culture, Thoi Gieng relic has
thrived to become Ha Long culture. The hallmarks of Ha Long culture are in numerous parts of
the midland and northern delta.
2.3. Current status of community ecotourism in Van Don
2.3.1. The main destinations
The tourism destinations can be exploited in Van Don are areas with beautiful scenery: Long
Beach, Soi Nhu, Cong Dong, Cong Tay, Minh Chau, Ngoc Vung, Quan Lan. Best known as Ba
Mun National Forest, Hai Van beach, the ancient trading port of Van Don, Phuong Hoang island,
Thuong Mai, Ha Mai In general, Van Don mountainous region creates parallel layers, each
region with different landscape. Van Don archipelago has main tourist routes in the North East -
North West, these routes have ecological scenery attracting tourists.
A number of other destinations associated with the historical development of Van Don over
many dynasties, associated with the formation and development of Ha Long culture (4500 years
ago) are: Ao Tien, Mat Rong dam, Fairy wells, Quan Lan communal house, Lam pagoda, Dat
Nung tower, the citadel of Mac dynasty Although there are abundant resources of tourism, but
the exploitation of these resources to create attractive tourism products for tourists is not an easy
problem. Currently, the exploiting tourism products are monotonous and poorly, not really have
specific mark, not have professional nature. To get a imagery with particular color, unforgettable
impression to visitor during the next period, the tourism industry of Van Don needs to try to
create special tourist products with their own specific characteristics.
2.3.2. The facilities for tourism

Staying service; Restaurant; Transport services; Additional services
2.3.3. International visitors
Table 2.2. Annual number of international visitor to Van Don
(period 2006-2010)
(Unit:person)
TT
Year
Item 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

1 Total number of visitor 241.600 276.000 286.500 350.000
415.000
2 International visitor 1.500 2.119 2.750 3.500 5.500
(Source: Department of Culture and Information - Van Don District, 2011)
Currently, a number of travel companies organize tour guiding visitor to tourism sites on the
islands of Quan Lan, Minh Chau, Ba Mun. Tourists are mainly from the UK, France, Sweden
They are very interested in wild, natural beauty of island resources, but they do not appreciate
the facilities invested for tourism development and limited awareness of local people. To develop
island ecotourism, it requires further consensus on many fronts: local authorities, tourism
businesses and local people.
2.3.4. Domestic visitors
Table 2.3. Domestic visitor to Van Don
(period 2006-2010)
Year Number of visitor
2006 240,100
2007 273,881
2008 283,750
2009 310,500
2010 409,500
(Source: Department of Culture and Information - Van Don District, 2011)
Domestic visitor to Van Don are mainly living in Quang Ninh, Ha Noi, and some northern

provinces (Bac Ninh, Bac Giang Thai Nguyen ). A few come from Ho Chi Minh City and
southern provinces. In addition, there is a number of overseas Vietnamese to Van Don in the
form of family visit, official visitor organized by companies or meeting of the event. Although
this type of service does not meet the travel needs of visitors, tourism seasonality, on holiday
weekends, the number of domestic tourists coming to Van Don to rest, relax, breathe fresh air is
increasingly larger.
2.3.5. Revenue on tourism
Table 2.4. Tourism revenue of Van Don district (2006-2010)
(Unit: Billion VND)

Year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Revenue 2,416 2,760 3,460 95,000
116,000
(Source: Department of Culture and Information - Van Don District, 2011)
Social revenue from tourism of Van Don district has increased continuously since 2006, but in
general, the total revenue does not commensurate with the potential for tourism. According to
annual economic situation report of Van Don district People's Committee, in tourism activity,
many indicators have not achieved contribution progress to the local budget: guesthouse and
hotel taxes, port charges, the other public service fees The main reason is that the tourism
products in the district are poor, technical facilities are limited, several investment projects in
tourism development are not implemented as scheduled. The investment in infrastructure
construction is incomplete and many island commune roads are unfinished. In particular, the
shortage of fresh water for daily life, no national power grid, no diverse communication
systems are causes that must be addressed.
2.3.6. The participation of the people, participants and forms of participation in tourism activities
The tourism industry in Van Don district has attracted local people to participate in activities for
tourists. They work in the ecotourism areas, hotels, guesthouses with professional service works:
reception, table, cooking, preparing beverages, transportation contributing to reducing
unemployment and creating jobs for people. Most tourists visiting the island are preferred social

service type of staying with people households (homestay), this has implications for both tourists
and the local people. Tourists have conditions to contact, learn about the lifestyle, activities and
culture of fishermen; people having rooms for tenants can increase revenue, create more jobs
(Tourists may request additional services: transportation, cuisine and participating in daily work
activities with local people).
2.3.7. The impact of tourism on local communities
Sub-conclusion of Chapter 2
Chapter 2 has focused on the second and third research duties of the research is to analyze the
potential and current activities of this type of tourism as a sustainable community in Van Don. In
prospective study, the author has mentioned factors playing an important role in ecotourism
development: topography, climate, marine cultural, biodiversity and introduced a number of
typical attractive destinations. For the study of the current status of ecotourism operations in Van
Don, the author has also outlined the development of tourism (tourists and tourism revenue,
facilities, infrastructure, resources human resources ), with emphasis on the role and
participation of local community in tourism in the area where they live, since then drawed the
review on limitations of community ecotourism development in Van Don as well as the benefit
sharing between tourism development and local community. From the above analysis, it has
provided the basis for the authors to offer a solution for sustainable development and building
social model in a typical island ecotourism development community presented in detail in
Chapter 3.
CHAPTER 3. SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY
ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN VAN DON DISTRICT, QUANG NINH PROVINCE
3.1. The premises for tourism development orientation in Van Don
On August, 13th 2004, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 145/QD-TTg on major
orientations for socio-economic development in Northern key economic regions in 2010 with a
vision to 2020.
On May, 31st 2006, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 786/QD-TTg on approval of the
project on socio-economic development of Van Don Economic Zone to 2020 with a vision to
2030.
Decision No. 120/2007/QD-TTg issued on July, 26th 2007 by the Prime Minister: "on

establishment of working regulations of Van Don economic zone, Quang Ninh province"
On December, 18th 2008, the Government issued the National Target Program to respond to
climate change. Currently, all the ministries and local governments are planning to implement
the program.
The Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has Decision on approving the National
Target Program to respond to climate change, No. 158/2008/QD-TTg, on 02/12/2008 by the
Prime Minister.
In June 2009, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment passed "climate change scenarios
for Vietnam."
Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm, 2009. Planning on implementation of national
strategies to prevent and mitigate natural disasters by 2020.
Decision No.1296/QD-TTg on August, 19th 2009, by the Prime Minister on approving the
planning on construction of Van Don economic zone, Quang Ninh province to 2020 and vision
to 2030.
Resolution of Vietnam Communist Party’s Congress IX, Resolution of Quang Ninh provincial
Party’s Congress XI, Resolution of Van Don district Party’s Congress XXI. Resolution No.
08/NQ-TW on 30.11.2001 by Provincial Standing Committee on; "Renewal and Development of
Quang Ninh tourism period 2001-2010 and implementation of the Prime Minister’s guidance in
Decision No.97/QD-TTg on tourism development and the solutions of Van Don economic
development ".
3.2. Recommendations
3.2.1. Orientation of tourism development in Van Don
With massive potential of ecotourism, Van Don needs to develop tourism associated with
environmental protection. Recommending the tourism businesses in the district must have
commitment to environmental protection, limiting fish cages to minimize pollution of the marine
environment. But to exploit ecotourism potential efficiently in Van Don district, the district
should have policies to encourage investors to develop resorts, tourism products here that
tourism is associated landscape environment and community ecotourism. There exists here Bai
Tu Long National Park, with large area of primary forest distributed in both terrestrial and
aquatic diversity, rich in biological resources should be conserved strictly and rigorously.

3.2.2. Improvement of tourism legislation and policy system
Community ecotourism is defined as a form of tourism towards sustainability, the form of
tourism contributing to community development, hanger reduction and poverty alleviation, thus,
creation of all favorable conditions to develop community-based ecotourism is done and must be
done by tourism managers and local government. Development policy is not only expressed in
clear legal framework in tourism law or policy focusing on development in the administrative
documents that must be practical in the particular policy.
3.2.3. Training of local tourism human resources
The fundamental mission of the direct community-based tourism activists is to introduce
to tourists the local traditions and cultural identity; promote and exploit the natural conditions,
facilities and resources of people, consume product, goods produced by local people for tourists,
thereby increasing revenue, improving the material and spiritual life of people.
Human resources hold key positions in the development process, quality of services for tourists.
To ensure sustainable and efficient growth and development, it requires specific measures:
Strengthening capacity of tourism managers; Implementing training on tourism profession and
tourism management for staff performing management of tourism, culture and information;
Implementing professional occupation training courses (table - room - bar - kitchen) on the areas
of tourism services for employees working in the businesses in the tourism services; Planning
long-term training with appropriate policies to build a team of professional staff for tourism
development in the locality.
3.2.4. Attraction of local community participation
Initiatively building investment plans, encouraging local people to participate in the protection of
natural resources and the stages in the service of community ecotourism; On the other hand, the
training and raising awareness of the park management staff and community must have special
attention.
Raising awareness to the community in areas of wild natural resources such as forests on islands,
Bai Tu Long National Park so that people are not involved in forestry activities, logging, hunting
of rare animals, exploiting valuable plants affecting natural resources.
3.2.5. Improvement of environmental quality for tourism
Presently, the issue of concern for the development of community-based ecotourism in Van Don

district is environmental pollution, especially pollution from coal industrial exploitation and
thermal power production of Cam Pha Town. Besides, the development of many aquaculture
models, cage services, and sea environment pollution. Decline of aquatic resources, forest
resources and ecological environment caused by unplanned mining is a major obstacle to
community-based tourism development in Van Don.
The leaders at all levels should have a reasonable plan on the location and development goals,
particularly when receiving the investment application for exploitation of fishery resources,
investment in the basic construction in the district and surrounding areas. In the implementation
of the planning process, it should consider ways of using and exploiting resources towards
sustainable development and for development of future generations.
3.2.6. Enhancement of promotion, advertising of tourism product forms
Promotion and advertising activity has become an indispensable part of a strategy to develop
tourism products. In order to promote tourism products effectively, provide information about
tourism products community to tourists home and abroad extensively.

3.2.7. Mainstreaming environmental and climate change issues into local tourism developmental
strategies, plannings, plans and programs
According to action plan to implement the objective program of the province and the tourism
industry, in environmental protection and sustainable development, particularly related to climate
change and biodiversity conservation, integrated, interdisciplinary approaches basing
community, ecosystem needs to be thorough in all stages from policy planning to formulation
and the implementation of plan on both content and organization.
3.2.8. Proposal of sustainable community ecotourism development model in Minh Chau
commune, Van Don and Quang Ninh.
Community-based ecotourism activity on the in Van Don district is developing but also
fragmented, not in a methodical system, or in replication. Most people join because they see a
profit, can guarantee the life, but are not aware of their role in the tourism development of the
province. Based on the actual exploitation of tourism resources and draft regulations on
community ecotourism activities in Minh Chau commune, Van Don district, the author would
like to propose a cooperative model in this island, the model can be applied in other communes

of Van Don district with similar natural conditions, to develop ecotourism forms in Van Don
aimed at sustainable development in economic and social-cultural and ethical aspects, and help
local community be more actively involved to improve their material and spiritual lives, increase
income, access to social services, contributing significantly to achieve the objective of poverty
alleviation in Van Don district.
Sub-conclusion of Chapter 3
Chapter 3 has solved focused research tasks of the essay is that it proposes some solutions for
community ecotourism development in Van Don towards sustainable development direction. In
particular, the write has bravely proposed a sample model for community ecotourism
development in a typical island district of Van Don, this model can be applied to develop tourism
for other communes with the same potential conditions.
The recommendations mentioned to all subjects involved in ecotourism activities in Van Don is
state management agency on tourism, local government, local community and tourist referred to
orientate and ensure the sustainable development of future community ecotourism form before
the changes of global climate, especially in coastal areas such as Van Don.
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