Đánh giá tài nguyên du lịch và điều kiện sinh khí hậu phục vụ phát triển du lịch vùng nam bộ việt nam tt tiếng anh

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
AND TRAINING

VIETNAM ACADEMY
OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

GRADUATE UNIVERSITY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
-----------------

HOANG THI KIEU OANH

Major : Physical Geography
Code :

9 44 02 17

ASSESSMENT TOURISM RESOURCES AND
BIOCLIMATIC CONDITIONS FOR DEVELOPING
TOURISM IN SOUTHERN VIETNAM

SUMMARY OF GEOGRAPHY DOCTORAL DISSERTATION

Hanoi - 2019


The dissertation has been completed at: Graduate University Science
and Technology - Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology

Science advisor 1: Prof. Sc Dr. Nguyen Khanh Van
Science advisor 2: Assoc Prof.Dr. Dang Van Phan

Reviewer 1: ………………………………..
Reviewer 2: ………………………………..
Reviewer 3: ………………………………..

The thesis will be defended in Doctoral Committee, organized at:
- Location: Graduate University Science and Technology Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology
- Time:

The dissertation can be found at:
- Library of Graduate University Science and Technology
- National Library of Vietnam


1
INTRODUCTION
1. The relevance of the topic
The future strategy of Vietnam tourism development predition
for 2020 and upto 2030 defines tourism to become spearhead
economic sector with the higher percentage of GDP and create
dynamics for social – economy. The potential of tourism resources of
Southern Vietnam is very high. Its geographical position is located in
the southern key economic region - the driving force of economic
development of the country, on the important international route. The
Southern Vietnam has 3/10 national tourist cities, including 338
national monuments with 13 special national monuments, and one
world intangible cultural heritage. In particular, the Southern Vietnam
has a lot of ecosystems with high biodiversity; 4 World Biosphere
Reserves, 6/9 Ramsa World Zones, 9 National Parks, 7 Biosphere
Protected Areas; 5 nature reserves, 3 species conservation zones. There
are also long and beautiful beaches, systems of islands on the East and

West sides. The climate regime of the Southern Vietnam is favorable
for tourism all year round. The annual temperature amplitude is not too
different, rainfall does not last long, there are very few natural disasters
and floods. It has a huge network of rivers, streams, canals with raft
houses, floating markets on the river, large lakes, waterfalls (Da Han,
Mo), Binh Chau hot springs, high mountain terrain.
In fact, the effectiveness of Southern Vietnam tourism is not
commensurate with its potential. The tourism between South-East and
South-West Region are not evenly developed. Tourism is mostly
concentrated in a number of tourist centers such as Ho Chi Minh City,
Can Tho and Vung Tau with lack of regional connectivity and uneven
distribution in quantity and quality. Tourism products lack specificity
and originality, especially in South-West Region. The infrastructure is
not synchronous, some projects have not been able to promote the
efficiency or abandoned.
At present, there are no topics to study in detail about the role of
Bioclimatic Condition to development of regional tourism. It is
necessary to have further studies, focusing on orientation, determining
the key types of tourism of the Southern Vietnam with high potential to
bring higher efficiency for tourism development in the coming time, to
meet the actual social needs. Four types of tourism selected for


2
evaluation in the dissertation are outstanding types such as sightseeing
tourism, relaxation tourism, ecotourism and cultural tourism.
For the above reasons, the PhD student has decided to select
the topic "Assessment tourism resources and bioclimate conditions
to developing tourism in the Southern Vietnam" for her doctoral
dissertation. Hopefully, this dissertation can give the future

orientation to develop 4 types of tourism in Southern Vietnam
effectively. Besides it is also a geographical instruction for tourists
to participate in sightseeing, relaxation, Ecotourism and culture
tourism in the Southern Vietnam.
2. Objectives of dissertation
The aim of this dissertation was to clarify the rationales for the
research and evaluation of tourism resources, bioclimatic conditions
for developing tourism in Southern Vietnam, and propose the
orientation of developing tourism types in Southern Vietnam on the
basis of evaluating tourism resources and bioclimatic conditions
3. Research tasks of dissertation
- Collecting, analyzing and systematizing documents and
materials on the characteristics of tourism resources and bioclimatic
conditions of the research territory.
- Overview of research and evaluation issues of tourism
resources and bioclimatic conditions for the purpose of tourism
development in the world, in Vietnam and in the Southern Vietnam.
- Establishing rationales, research and evaluation methods of
tourism resources, bioclimatic conditions for tourism development.
- Zoning physical geographic regions in Southern Vietnam and
establishing zoning map with scale of 1: 250,000; classifying tourism
bioclimate of Southern Vietnam and establishing bioclimate
classification map with scale of 1: 250,000; installing evaluation
criteria and specification for the advantages of tourism resources and
bioclimatic conditions for developing potential tourism types of
Southern Vietnam.
- Evaluating and synthesizing tourism resources and
bioclimatic conditions for tourism development in every regions and
proposing orientation for developing tourism types in the Southern
Vietnam in every regions.

3
CHAPTER 1
RATIONALES, METHODS FOR EVALUATING TOURISM
RESOURCES AND BIOCLIMATIC CONDITIONS FOR
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
1.1. Overview of relevant scientific researches
1.1.1. Relevant researches on over the world
In the past 9 decades, many research directions for developing
tourism have been established, in which assessing territorial
resources for tourism development is mentioned with many
approaches such as works of Demoders, I.A Vedenhin and N.N.
Misonharrenco (1969), I.I Piriicic (1985), A.G Ixatsenko. Today,
tourism activities have been standardized, managed closely and
monitored with conservation, especially in developed countries,
which is published by Hu and Rit Chie.J (1993), Daniel Leung and
others (2013) , Jianwei Quian et al (2019), C. Lim and J.C.H. Min
(2008), R.Sharley and Telfer (2002).
The history of bioclimatel research has existed for a long time.
Many climate studies are the basis for the development of bioclimate
researchs such as W. Koppen (Germany), Buduco, Alixop, Yeu Am
Sinh, de Freitas et al. , Asgary et al. Climate is the key to forming
many different tourism resources, thereby assessing the role of
climate for each specific tourism resource (Becken (2013), Scott &
Lemieux (2009) and Gomez Martin (2005), Hamilton and Lau
(2005), C. Goh (2012), D. Maddison (2001), Hadwen et al. (2011)).
Currently, many general climate parameters are established in applied
bioclimate such as DI, ET, EI, and HIS, SET, PET, or CIT, TCI
found by Mieczkowski (1985). The TCI index has been developed

and applied in many studies in different territories such as: Amelung
and Moreno, Ghislain Dubois. Many researchers also combined other
climate indexes with TCI, TCI and THI for assessing HCI. TCI index
has developed into various new concepts such as UTCI, TTCI, CIT,
MCIT. In the last 10 years, more and more specific and detailed
studies on applied bioclimate were published, in which the general
trend is the assessments of human adaption with the increasingly


4
negative changes of the current climate (John Wash , Jacqueline M.
Hamilton, Francesco Musco).
1.1.2. Relevant researches in Vietnam
Most of research and evaluation works are based on the
background of landscape with the works on physical geographic
zoning, studies on landscape assessment and general assessment of
natural conditions and physical resources which is typically reported
by Nguyen Duc Chinh - Vu Tu Lap, Pham Hoang Hai, Nguyen
Thuong Hung, Nguyen Ngoc Khanh, Nguyen Van Nhung, Nguyen
Van Vinh, Pham Trung Luong, Dang Duy Loi, etc.
Few researchers focused studying on tourism bioclimate for
developing tourism, such as Vu Boi Kiem, Tran Viet Lien, Nguyen
Minh Tue, Nguyen Tham and Nguyen Hoang Son, Nguyen Khanh
Van. Many doctoral dissertations were also followed this direction
such as Nguyen Thu Nhung, Nguyen Dang Tien, Nguyen Huu Xuan.
Through these studies, climate resources for tourism development are
analyzed in different directions. In many studies, these authors also
used bioclimatic condition map to help tourists choose the best time
and regions for tourism.
In Southern Vietnam, many planning projects, conferences and

seminars for tourism have been conducted to promote tourism
development in this region. It is an important step of socio-economic
development orientations in order to link tourism development
among Southern provinces (Nguyen Minh Tue; Vu Tuan Canh and
others; Bui Thi Hai Yen, etc.). Besides, there are many researches on
tourism of each locality in the South, each work is the experience of
culture, ethnicity, bringing diverse perspectives on tourism potentials
of specific localities.
There have been a number of researches on bioclimatic
conditions for tourism in Southern Vietnam. However, they are still
limited and coherent, not classified and established a map of the
tourism bioclimate. In this serie, some works can be listed such as
Dang Van Phan, To Hoang Kia, Nguyen Khanh Van and others.
1.2. General rationales of dissertation
1.2.1. The concepts of tourism
According to the Vietnam Tourism Law in 2017: “Tourism is
an activity related to human outside of his regular residence with the


5
time under 1 year in order to meet the needs of sightseeing, study,
entertainment, and relaxation in certain time period or other
purpose’’ “Tourism resources are Tourism resources are natural
landscapes, natural elements, cultural and historical relics, human
creative works and other human values can be used to to meet the
demand for tourism, is a basic element to form tourism zones,
tourism spots, tourism routes, tourism towns. Tourism resources
include nature resources and cultural resources”. Tourism territorial
organizations include tourism destinations, tourist area, tourism
route, tourism centre.

1.2.2. Tourism resource – condition for tourism development
According to the Vietnam Tourism Law in 2017: "Natural
tourism resources include elements of geology, topography,
geomorphology, climate, hydrology, ecosystems, natural landscapes
that can be used for tourism purpose”. "Humanities tourism
resources include cultural traditions, folk cultural and artistic
elements, historical, revolutionary, archeological, architectural, and
creative labor works of people and other physical and intangible
cultural heritage can be used for tourism purposes”.
1.2.3. Climatic conditions and bioclimatic resources
According to the Agriculture Encyclopedia “Bioclimate which
is a interdisciplinary science between Climate and Ecology studies
the effects of climate on living organisms”. In a certain environment,
bioclimatic conditions which are one of an ecological condition
affecting all organisms (flora and fauna, microorganisms, humans)
include typical signs of weather such as radiation, temperature,
precipitation, humidity, etc. These conditions are used for the human
purposes called bioclimatic resources.
The research on human health for tourism purposes is the study
of climate and weather conditions impacting on human health,
tourism organization, tourism activities. This research needs to point
out the favorable and unfavorable periods of bio-climate conditions
for human health, for each kind of tourism in certain region.
1.3. Research viewpoints and methods
1.3.1. Research viewpoints
The following research points are used in this dissertation:
System points; General points; Historical – Perspective points.


6

1.3.2. Research mothods
1.3.2.1. System of general research methods: The following
popular methods are used in this dissertation: Methods of data
collection, analysis and processing; Field practical methods; Map and
GIS methods; Professional solution.
1.3.2.2. Rationale of physical geographic zoning
Inheriting the results of local and world researchers about
geographic zoning, studies of the natural characteristics of the
Southern Vietnam, the PhD student has selected 5 principles of
zoning of physical geography in the Southern Vietnam as followed:
objective; incurred; systemized; relative homogeneity and same
territory.
The choice of zoning of physical geography in Southern
Vietnam includes 3 following methods: zoning according to the key
factor; linkage analysis of constituent components; comparative
geography, in addition there are many other methods such as map,
field practie, ancient geography, geophysics, geochemistry,
mathematics.
Based on the differentiation characteristics of the physical
geography in Southern Vietnam, PhD student has selected to inherit
the results of physical geography zoning by research group Pham
Hoang Hai, Nguyen Thuong Hung, Nguyen Ngoc Khanh (1997) with
the 3-level system: Zone  Region  Area for zoning of physical
geography in Southern Vietnam.
1.3.2.3. Methods for assessing resources and bioclimatic
conditions
a. Rationale for evaluating the systhemizing of resources
According to work of Pham Trung Luong: “Assessing natural
conditions and natural resources for tourism are used to determine
the level of convenience(good, medium, poor) of natural conditions

and natural resources for the whole tourism activities in general or
for each tourism types, each specific activities in service of tourism in
particular”.
Step 1. Establishment of Evaluationt Scale: selecting
evaluation criteria, determining grades, targets, scores for each rank
and coefficient of each criterion.
Step 2. Evaluating Process: In the topic, the PhD student uses
the average score to evaluate the results.


7
∑
Step 3: Result Evaluation
(CT1)
In which: X: average score/ ki: coefficient of i criterion/ Xi:
criteria: evaluation score of i criterion / i: evaluation criteria, i =
1,2,3...n.
Based on the average score to classify the rating levels from
RTL to ITL. Levels are determined by the formula (CT2)
CT2:
(CT2)
m: ratting number (m=4)
In which: Level 1: Xmin ≤ X1 Level 3: X2 ≤ X3 < X2 + ∆X Level 4: X3 ≤ X4 b. Evaluation of bioclimate resource using tourism climate
index TCI
Tourism climate index – TCI was established by Mieczkowski
(1985).
CT3: TCI = (8*CID) + (2*CIA) + (4*R) + (4*S) + (2*W)
In which: CID: Daytime comfort index (Daytime thermal

comfort index is based on average maximum temperature and
average minimum relative humidity) / CIA: Daily comfort index
(Daily comfort index is based on average air temperature and average
humidity) R: Average daily rainfall in a month / S: Average number
of sunny hours in a month / W: Average wind speed.


8

CHAPTER 2
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESOURCES AND
BIOCLIMATIC CONDITIONS IN SOUTHERN
VIETNAM
2.1. Nature Characteristics of Southern Vietnam
2.1.1. Geographic location of Southern Vietnam
The Southern Vietnam is located in the South of Indochina
peninsula, from latitude 8o to latitude 12o N. East-Southern Vietnam
has an area of 23,590.7 km2, accounting for 7.1% of the whole
country area. West-Southern Vietnam has an area of about 40,576
km2. The position of Southern Vietnam is the premise to create
motivation to attract domestic and abroad tourists.
2.1.2. Geological and topographic characteristics of the
Southern Viernam
In the exploitation of tourism, the terrain of East-Southern
Vietnam is very diverse: mountain topography is mainly distributed
in the North, Northeast, midland terrain, selling plains of basalt soil
with a height of 50-200 m. West-Southern Vietnam is a relatively flat
delta, divided by interlaced system of rivers and streams, middle
islands, riverside, island system and sea encroachment area with
many pristine islands, some low mountains with the form of

limestone mountain topography along the border with Cambodia.
2.1.3. Hydro-marine characteristics of Southern Vietnam
The Southern Vietnam has two large river systems, including
Dong Nai - Vam Co River with 586 km in length and Mekong River
with 225 km in length. If East-Southern Vietnam is a region with
great marine potential with beautiful beaches, West-Southern
Vietnam has the potential conditions to form attractive tourism routes
on the rivers.
2.1.4. Biological characteristics and territorial biodiversity
Forest is the most prominent natural resource in Southern
Vietnam. East-Southern Vietnam has 6 special forests, including 4
national parks, 01 nature reserve and 2 cultural-historical forests, Can
Gio mangrove forest and Cat Tien National Park are the world
biosphere reserves. West-Southern Vietnam has 2 world biosphere
reserves, 5 national parks, 4 nature conservation zones, 3 species


9
conservation zones, 7 habitat protection zones and 1 forest area for
scientific experimental research, Minh Hai mangrove forest research
and application center (Ca Mau).
2.1.5. Characteristics of bioclimate resources of Southern Vietnam
Southern Vietnam climate is characterized by the equatorial
tropical climate with humid monsoon, high solar radiation, large
number of sunshine hours, high annual average temperature, low
annual temperature amplitude and abundant rainfall. However, there
are still differences among regions as well as among localities in the
region. That difference has affected production and business
activities as well as tourism seasonality, the ability to develop
tourism types.

2.2. Characteristics of humanitarian tourism resources of
Southern
2.2.1. Cultural and historical relics
Shouthern Vietnam is the most abundant land of religious
belief in Vietnam, with many particularly important relics and high
values for tourism. East-Shouthern Vietnam has 156 cultural and
historical relics of cultural heritage ranked nationally, including 1
intangible cultural heritage of the world, 7 special national
monuments. West-Shouthern Vietnam has 182 cultural and historical
relics ranked nationally, including 6 special national monuments.
Artistic architectural monuments include many types such as
pagodas, temples, shrines, cathedrals and ancient houses associated
with the spiritual life and indigenous people's culture.
2.2.2. Folk culture festival
In Southern Vietnam, the folk festivals of Vietnamese people
are still unified from the North to the South, with central festivals
attracting a large number of pilgrims to attend. The total number of
festivals in West-Southern Veitnam is 1,237 festivals.
2.2.3. Traditional handicraft villages
Handicrafts in the East-Southern Vietnam are not many but
quite unique. East-Southern Vietnam has about 90 traditional
handicraft villages with many exploiting values for tourists. Besides,
West-Southern Vietnam currently has 211 handicraft villages.
2.2.4. Other humanitarian resources
Culinary culture: folk cuisine is unique regarded as high
cultural value for tourism development. Traditional art: Southern


10
Vietnam culture has two main characteristics: the characteristics of

the river delta and the continuation of cultural elements of the Cham,
Khmer and Chinese into Vietnamese culture in the region.
2.3. Classification of bioclimate and establishment of a
bioclimatic map for Southern Vietnam
2.3.1. Determinination of the criteria for classification of
bioclimate in Southern Vietnam
From the results of analysis and systemization of climate
statistic data for the purpose of developing tourism types, the PhD
student mainly uses two basic elements: heat and humidity to classify
bioclimate of Southern Vietnam with 03 criteria. presented in the
form of combinational matrix: annual average air temperature, total
annual rainfall, and number of rainy days
2.3.2. Results of classification of tourism bioclimate for
Southern Veitnam
As a result, there are 12 types of bioclimate in the Southern
Vietnam. They are expressed through a set of symbols such as: IAa,
IBb, ICc, IDb, etc. The characterization of bioclimatic units is carried
out in sequence from the types of bioclimate: III – relative hot, II hot, to: I - very hot; From the bioclimatic type of heavy rainfall (A),
moderate rain (B), little rain (C) to very little rain (D); based on the
number of rainy days: high (a), moderate (b), low (c), very low (d).
2.3.3. Establishment of a map of bioclimate classification for
Southern Vietnam
The establishment of bioclimatic maps must adhere to the
following principles: reflecting the climate characteristics of the
researched territory, their differentiation in space, reflecting favorable
aspects and limitations of bioclimatic conditions for organizing
tourism types and the implementation of tourism activities in the
study area, reflecting the nature of the impacts of climate factors on
human health and implementation of tourism activities.
The methods used to establish bioclimate maps include

statistical methods and data processing, field practical methods and
methods of using GIS geographic information systems. The mapping
method to show the main contents of the map is the point sign
method (meteorological stations), method of combining brush strokes
with quality base (bioclimate types). The 1: 250,000 map scale is
determined by contents and research territories.


11


12
2.3.4. Evaluation of the characteristics of tourism bioclimate
in Southern Vietnam using TCI index
According to results of the assessment and calculation of
climate data series at meteorological stations in Southern Vietnam in
the period from 1980 to 2015, it is showed that TCI of Southern
Vietnam mainly is in the range of 40- 54 (from the acceptable
threshold to relatively good), which means that it is possible to
develop tourism activities. In 12 months, TCI <40 (unfavorable for
tourism activities) only appears on average from 1 to 3 months. There
is only 1 month with TCI unfavorable for tourism development in
some places such as Vung Tau, Can Tho, Cao Lanh, Chau Doc, even
Con Dao did not have any unfavorable months for tourism activities.
From May to November, TCI is at an acceptable threshold for
implementing tourism activities. TCI up to 60 - 80 points (good to
very good) is popular in 4 months from December, January, February
and March, which is the dry season in Southẻn Vietnam. By April,
TCI begins to decrease lower at limited level for tourism activities.
2.4. Zoning and zone mapping of physical geography of

Southern Vietnam
2.4.1. Establishing a zone map of physical geography of Southern
Vietnam
The principles are implemented in map establishment are:
ensurement of accuracy, science and updating; specific purpose;
Objects and phenomena are categorized and fully expressed,
scientifically from the content to the glossaries; ensure accurate
geographical location.
The methods are used to show the map content including:
Road sign method; Quality background methods and brush strokes,
based on territorial characteristics and the content shown to
determine the map scale at 1: 250,000.


13
Inheriting the results of the study of physiall geographic
zoning in Vietnam and the differentiation of natural conditions of
Pham Hoang Hai - Nguyen Thuong Hung - Nguyen Ngoc Khanh
(1997) Southern Vietnam is divided by 3 levels of physical
geographyic zoning: Zone  region  area.
Zone: is determined by the heat-moist criteria. Located in the
tropical monsoon landscape, Southern Vietnam belongs to the South
zone, which has the dry South-West monsoon with prolonged dry
season and no cold winter.
Region: is a set of similar areas in terms of arising, with the
same geomorphological structure, the same development history with
similar characteristics of climatic conditions under the impact of
circulation and terrain, similar characteristics about organisms, the
same characteristics about ethnic communities, creating a similar
level of technical impact on nature.

Area: according to the actual differentiation of natural
conditions, the level of regional division is determined based on the
tectonic - geomorphological criteria, with the typical points of
hydrological characteristics, differentiation criteria between the sea
and land.
2.4.2. Results of zoning of physical geography in Southern
Vietnam
Southern Vietnam has 3 zoning levels, in which the highest
level is Southern zone, consisting of two different physical
geographic regions: Region of the East-Southern highland delta (I)
characterized by the terrain region with low hills and high deltas,
relatively ancient, gradually rising with ancient steps + 20m, + 40m
and + 100m, large basalt eruptions filled the valleys between ancient
stone blocks; Region of the West-Southern Delta (II) The main
characterized by the relatively flat and low delta area below 10 m,


14
young, wide, fast-growing, built up by the alluvium of the Mekong
River and the Saigon - Dong Nai river system during the period of
sea level rise slowly from 7 thousand years ago. This region tends to
sink in general.
The lowest zoning level is area. the Southẻn Vietnam has 11
areas. East-Southern Vietnam region is divided into 3 areas based on
tectonic - geomorphological criteria. Meanwhile, the West-Southern
Vietnam region consists of 8 areas based on tectonic criteria geomorphology and the norm differentiation between sea and land,
which consists of 6 inland areas and 2 areas of coastal islands.
Table 2.4. Zoning system of physical geography in Southern
Vietnam
Southern Vietnam

(South zone) – dry
South-West
monsoon, no cold
winter
I.
East-Southern
region

II.
West-Southern
region

Region

S
ymbol

1. High hills in Binh Duong – Binh
Phuoc – Dong Nai

I.1

2. Ancient alluvial shelf area in Tay
Ninh – Ho Chi Minh City – Dong Nai
3. East-Southern coastal area
4. Dong Thap Muoi area
5. Delta area of Tien river and Hau river
6. Coastal area of Tien and Hau rivers
7. Long Xuyen quadrangle area
8. Lowland area of western Hau river

9. Ca Mau peninsula
10. Island area of Gulf of Thailand
11. Island area of eastern West-Southern
region

I.2
I.3
II.1
II.2
II.3
II.4
II.5
II.6
II.7
II.8


15


16
CHAPTER 3
GENERAL EVALUATION OF TOURISM RESOURCES AND
BIOCLIMATIC CONDITIONS FOR TOURISM TYPES OF
SOUTHERN VIETNAM
3.1. Basis for selection and evaluation of tourism types in
Southern Vietnam
In the scope of this dissertation, PhD student only assesses
several typical tourism types, depending on the resources and
sustainability factors. The selected tourism types for evaluation

include: 1) Natural sightseeing tourism; 2) Relaxation tourism: 3)
Ecotourism; 4) Cultural tourism. These are sustainable, less harmful
to the environment, with long-term and unique potential.
3.2. Evaluation of tourism resources for tousirm types in
Southern Vietnam
3.2.1. Evaluation of tourism resources for Natural
Sightseeing Tourism development
Sightseeing tourism is mainly taken place in areas with
beautiful landscapes, diverse and unique topography, diverse
organisms, favorable bioclimatic conditions. The PhD student
decided to assess on 4 criteria: landscape, topography, biology,
bioclimatic conditions.
Based on the average score of each area, the PhD student
divides the level of advantage of each area for sightseeing tourism in
4 evaluation levels. Among the selected criteria, their influence on
Sightseeing Tourism varies. Based on the characteristics and
requirements of the Sightseeing Tourism and the expert opinions, the
most important influence factor is the landscape, the second is the
terrain, the third is the organism and bioclimate conditions. This is
the basis for determining the coeficients of the criteria.
As a result of assessing the advantages of Sightseeing
Tourism, we found that the two areas I.3 and II.4 are very
convenient. 4 areas I.1, I.2, II.7, II.8 have a convenient level for
tourism development. Areas II.3 and II.6 are quite convenient for
Sightseeing Tourism. Areas II.1, II.2, II.5 are less convenient for
Sightseeing Tourism.
3.2.2. Evaluation of tourism resources for Relaxation
Tourism development

17
Relaxation Tourism is a tourism type combining with health
recovery and healing. The areas with the most convenient bioclimate
for human health and beautiful natural landscapes are the conditions
for developing Relaxation Tourism. The PhD student selected 4
criteria: climate, beach, terrain and landscape.
Bioclimatic condition is the most important factor for
Relaxation Tourism development. It is determined as highest
coefficient, the beach is the second important factor, followed by the
terrain factor, finally the landscape has lowest coefficient in the
rating scale. In addition, criteria such as biological resources
(biodiversity, forest vegetation, subtropical fruits and vegetables ...)
are also considered and evaluated but not decentralized.
Based on the average score of each area, the results of
convineint level of each area are as follows: I.3 areas achieve very
convenient level for Relaxation Tourism development. Areas II.4, II.7
and II.8 are convenient. Areas I.1, I.2, II.2, II.3 are at the quiet
convenient level. Less convenient for Relaxation Tourism development
is belong to I.1, II.5, II.6
3.2.3. Evaluation of tourism resources for Ecotourism
development
Ecotourism is a tourism type based on indigenous nature and
culture, associated with environmental education, contributing to
conservation and sustainable development efforts with active
participation of local communities. Thereby, the PhD student
determined the requirements for ecotourism development as the
following 3 criteria: natural ecosystem with high ecological diversity,
bioclimatic conditions affecting tourist’s health when traveling,
terrain creating favorable conditions for travel. According to expert
opinions, criteria, evaluation level and score of biological criteria,

bioclimatic condition criteria and topographical criteria for
Ecotourism development can be used to evaluate these resources for
Sightseeing Tourism development (Section 3.2.1). The impact level
of these criteria decreases as followed chain: biology, terrain and
bioclimatic condition.


18
Based on the average scores of the criteria, the results of the
advantages of the areas for Ecotourism development are evaluated as
follows: The level of very convenient assessment for Ecotourism is
achieved by two regions I.3 and II.4. There are 6 areas with
convenient assessment for ecotourism development, including: II.7,
II.8, I.1, I.2, II.1, II.6. Areas II.3 and II.5 are assessed at relatively
convenient levels, area II.2 is at the low convenient lvel for
Ecotourism development due to the concentration of major
agricultural and monotonous ecosystems.
3.2.4. Evaluation of tourism resources for Cultural Tourism
development
"Cultural Tourism is a type of tourism based on national
cultural identity with the participation of the community to preserve
and promote traditional cultural values". Thereby, the PhD student
defined 3 important criteria for developing Cultural Tourism: cultural
heritage including physical and intangible. Bioclimate is just a
condition for organizing Cultural Tourism. The most important
physical cultural heritage with a coefficient of 0.5, coefficient of
intangible cultural heritage is 0.33, Bioclimate has the lowest
coefficient at 0.17.
Areas I.2, I.3, II.2, II.4, II.8 are evaluated as very convenient
level for Cultural Tourism development. Areas I.1, II.3 and II.8 have

convenient level for Cultural Tourism development. The areas II.1
are assessed quiet convenient. Low convenient level for Cultural
Tourism development is belong to areas II.6 and II.7.
3.3. General synthesis of convenience levels of 4
tourism types in each area
Based on the evaluation criteria and the convenience level of
tourism types according to areas, the results of general assessment of
convenience levels of 4 tourism types are as follows: Areas I.3, II.4,
II.8 achieve very convenient level for general development of all
tourism types. Convenient level for tourism development is belong to
4 areas, including I.1, I.2, II.3, II.7. Besides areas II.1, II.2, II.5, II.6
achieve the assessment of quiet convenient level for tourism


19
development. These areas often have no landscape, or monotonous
landscapes, not concentrated distribution of natural resources, limited
bioclimatic conditions for tourism.
3.4. Space orientation for developing tourism types in Southern
Vietnam
3.4.1. Current statement of tourism development in Southern
Vietnam
The number of tourists of Southern Vietnam increased rapidly.
In terms of statistics, domestic tourists dominate in Southern
Vietnam, international tourists also increase in quantity. EastSouthern Vietnam region has the highest revenue in the whole
country (2015), accounting for 46% of the total tourism revenue of
the country. The Southern Vietnam has about 6,652 accommodation
establishments. The labor force in the tourism sector has differences
in professional qualifications as well as scale and distribution
between East-Southern and West-Southern regions. The

transportation system of Southern Vietnam develops quickly and
synchronously, making an important contribution to socio-economic
development, including tourism. If the East-Southern region has a
modern transport system with many important, high-quality seaports
and airports, West-Southern region has a transportation system
divided by many interlacing canals and many huge rivers.
3.4.2. The direction of territorial space development for
tourism types of Southern Veitnam
a. Orientation of priority areas for tourism development
Firstly, two coastal areas of East-Southern and West-Southern
regions are focused in priority orientation, including: Ho Chi Minh City
- Vung Tau coastal areas of East-Southern region and Long Xuyen
Quadrangle area. The next priority is 5 areas: island area of Gulf of
Thailand; island area of eastern West-Southern region, high hills in Binh
Duong – Binh Phuoc – Dong Nai [I.1] and Ancient alluvial shelf area in
Tay Ninh – Ho Chi Minh City – Dong Nai, Coastal area of Tien river


20
and Hau river [II.3]. In the strategy of developing tourism in Southern
Vietnam, the priority is for above 7 areas, focusing on favorable tourism
resources and bioclimatic conditions to exploit in a reasonable and
optimal way.
b. Orientation for tourism product development by area
Area [I.1]: Sightseeing tourism, combining ecotourism,
gardening or homestay tourism, mountain climbing. Area [I.2 ]:
Adventure tourism, visiting and climbing tourism, spiritual tourism.
Area [I.3]: Sightseeing and entertainment tourism in Ho Chi Minh
City, sea tourism, resorts, sports, scuba-diving, marine ecological
study, in addition to mountainc limbing at Ho May. Area [II.1: river

tourism, ecology and sightseeing tourism, research tourism. Area
[II.2]: Developing types of river tourism, exploiting specialties in the
flood season, picnics or field trips. Area [II.3]: exploiting tourism in
the dry season, combined with spiritual and cultural tourism. Area
[II.4]: spiritual and cultural tourism, combined with sightseeing,
ecotourism, discovery mountain climbing tourism. Area [II.5]: river
tourism, wetland sightseeing tourism, visiting orchards, floating
markets on the river. Area [II.6]: homestay tourism, countryside
tourism, experience tourism, community-based ecotourism. Area
[II.7] sightseeing tourism, beach tourism, Relaxation Tourism,
tourism to explore the islands. Area [II.8]: sightseeing tourism,
relaxation, swimming and exploring the forest landscape.


21


22
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The overview of research and evaluation of territorial
synthesis as a basis for tourism development, especially in the
Southern Vietnam, is the basis for determining the approach, research
methodology, an important data source for the PhD student to
redundant and promote research direction to achieve optimal results.
In bioclimate classification of human health for tourism
development, 12 types of bioclimate are classified. TCI index
achieving 60 - 80 scores (good to very good) are popular in the last 4
months from December to March -. Two regions are established in
the results of physical geographic zoning in Shouthern Vietnam,
including East Southern region and West Southern region, 11 areas

of physical geography. Four areas are evaluated as convenient level
for tourism development, including [I.1], [I.2], [II.3], [II.7]. Two
areas, including [I.3] and [II.4], [II.8]] reached the very convenient
level for integrated development of all tourism types. Four areas,
including [II.1], [II.2], [II.5], [II.6], reached quiet convenient level.
The researcher has modeled the orientation of space development for
all tourism types in the map with scale of 1 : 250,000.
2. Southern Vietnam is still a great potential region for
developing all tourism types, which will be an open directions for
further development of the thesis topic. Currently, the bioclimate
research indexes are very popular. This is the potential region for
new climate indexes, helping to effectively evaluate the human
adaptation to the change of climate conditions.
- The code of this dissertation is 9.44.02.17 – Physical
Geography, so it is need to concentrate into natural resources and
bioclimatic resources. Therefore, some results are not the same


23
as with Planning for tourism (Proposed by tourism Department).
Beside considering natural resources and cultural resources, the
Planning of the Goverment also relate to some important such as
socio – economic orientation, the geopolitical position of region.
The results of dissertation recommend that tourism need to
control the limitations for example Phu Quoc island with its
bioclimate (the biggest rainfall, the hottest temperature) by
organizing the infrastructure, transportation, service to overcome
the climatic restrictions .