Current Status of Tourism Development in the Southern Provinces of the Red River Delta in a Sustainable Direction

The area is home to Fiji’s oldest kauri pine, which is highly valued on the market and is under constant threat of being cut down. In addition, the area is home to 48 of Fiji’s oldest villages and 8 religious areas. The pressure on this area is not only from logging companies but also from mining (a gold mining license has been granted in the East Koronayitu area). The lives of households in this area are precarious, with low incomes (only 30 Fijian dollars per week).

In 1992, the New Zealand Government funded a pilot program to help Koronayitu develop a part of the area into a National Park with opportunities for small-scale tourism development aimed at protecting the environment and developing the economy of the villages. In addition to developing ecotourism, the people here also established aquaculture areas and small-scale souvenir production. In September 1993, the Cultural and Adventure Park was inaugurated as Phase I of the “Koroyanitu National Park Development Project” and welcomed the first 12 visitors. Walking trails to historical sites and scenic spots were built. The villages also established an Ecotourism Cooperative Association and developed the “Fijian Vanua Tour”. The results of this program have been evaluated by the director of the national park as “This program has given us hope that we can invest in development rather than borrow from the future - we can preserve our heritage and leave an inheritance for future generations”.

Some specific achievements brought about by the Program:

+ Education improved. The number of children attending school doubled and the quality improved.

+ Women participate more in community decisions, women's clubs have stable income from selling souvenirs to tourists.

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+ Building the first medicinal plant garden in Fiji to serve residents and tourists

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+ The forest fire has been extinguished. A subdivision has been built to protect animals.

wild. Nurseries were established, and cleared forests were replanted. The community strongly condemned logging and agreed not to destroy the forests.

+ The national park's income in the first year was equal to the entire income of the entire region before the project. The second school in this area was built in 1994.

Some lessons can be drawn for the southern provinces of the Red River Delta

Based on research on experiences in PTDLBV in localities and regions at home and abroad, some lessons for PTDLBV for the southern provinces of the Red River Delta are as follows:

- Full awareness of sustainable tourism : Party committees, authorities, sectors, communities and travel businesses must properly recognize the important position of sustainable tourism. The importance and contribution of tourism to socio-economic development

each locality, for the country, creating competitive advantages in the economy, creating jobs for workers, improving people's lives, shifting economic structure, protecting the environment are the basis and driving force for PTDLBV. Strong education and propaganda to help tourism participants (students, local people, tourists) be aware of the use and protection of resources, and the protection of the natural environment. There are mechanisms to encourage the participation of local people in managing and using resources reasonably, thereby promoting the effectiveness of tourism.

- Develop a tourism development strategy suitable to the economic conditions of the region and the province : have investment policies with high economic efficiency, especially investment in infrastructure for tourism. In particular, the role of local authorities (especially commune and ward levels) is very important in site clearance; monitoring, supervising, coordinating to remove difficulties for tourism development investment projects.

- Unified and specific management organization : Forest resources at tourist destinations are dual resources, so countries often have a high-level management agency, which has the function of conservation, propaganda and public education in environmental protection. The organization of exploiting tourism potential at tourist destinations can be done by local businesses themselves or by leasing the environment to tourism companies for business, but must be managed according to specific regulations.

- Mobilizing all resources for tourism development investment : Socializing the tourism development process towards sustainability for the conditions of our country in general and the provinces in particular to mobilize all the best resources to serve tourism development investment. In which, the participation of local people, domestic and foreign enterprises, international organizations, non-governmental organizations is one of the important solutions to develop tourism in a sustainable direction.

- The participation of local communities is very important in the strategy of sustainable tourism : The participation of local people in tourism development projects towards sustainability is very important. Local people with their culture, lifestyle, customs and activities are important factors attracting tourists. Sustainable tourism and local communities have a reciprocal relationship, on the one hand bringing positive impacts on the economy, environment and culture, on the other hand, enriching the experience of activities and creating new tourism products.

- Building and developing high-quality human resources including managers, experts, consultants and tourism industry staff to serve the growing demand for tourism development.

- Localities must have a plan to promote tourist destinations that is suitable for local characteristics and different types of tourists. In addition, for a successful promotion plan, there must be adequate investment in promotion and marketing activities.

- Reasonable exploitation of resources for environmental protection is the responsibility of state management agencies, tourist destination management boards, local residents, and tourists. To develop sustainable tourism, we must first exploit tourism resources (both natural and human) sustainably.

Chapter 2 Summary

Through the research content in chapter 2, it shows that:

- Tourism is an activity with many characteristics, related to many components such as government, businesses, tourists, means of transport,... and other socio-economic activities to bring economic, political and social benefits to countries.

- PTDLBV is to develop tourism activities with the purpose of bringing economic benefits, creating jobs for society and the community; satisfying the diverse needs of tourists... on the basis of planned exploitation of resources; Paying attention to investing in embellishment, conservation and maintaining the integrity of resources; must attach the responsibility and interests of the community in exploiting and protecting resources and the environment.

- The Sustainable Development Goals agreed upon by UNWTO are, focusing on Goal 8 “ Promote long-term, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all ”, Goal 12 “ Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns” , Goal 14 “ Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development ”.

- The content of sustainable tourism development is the development process that closely, reasonably and harmoniously combines the three aspects of development: " economic sustainability, environmental resources sustainability and socio-cultural sustainability".

- Select and adjust the system of comprehensive criteria for sustainable tourism development, including: First, from an economic perspective, including: location and scale of the industry; economic benefits from tourism. Second, from a cultural and social perspective: people's participation; local livelihoods; preservation of cultural and historical values of tourist destinations. Third, from an environmental perspective: conservation of tourism resources; reduction of environmental pollution; conservation of biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes. Build a model of factors affecting sustainable tourism development (7 factors, including both objective and subjective factors).

CHAPTER 3: CURRENT STATUS OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN THE SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF THE RED RIVER DELTA IN A SUSTAINABLE DIRECTION

3.1 Overview and tourism potential of the southern provinces of the Red River Delta

3.1.1 Overview of the southern provinces of the Red River Delta

3.1.1.1 Natural characteristics

“The southern provinces of the Red River Delta include 3 provinces: Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh with a total area of about 4,600 km2, a population of 4.6 million people and UNESCO recognized the world biosphere reserve for coastal wetlands on October 13, 2008. The Red River Delta biosphere reserve includes a large coastal ecosystem, located in the administrative boundaries of 6 districts including Thai Thuy, Tien Hai (Thai Binh province); Giao Thuy, Hai Hau, Nghia Hung (Nam Dinh province) and Kim Son (Ninh Binh province). There are two core areas: Xuan Thuy National Park and Tien Hai Wetland Nature Reserve. The total area of the biosphere reserve is more than 105 thousand hectares, home to many rare bird species (waterfowl and migratory birds), a typical wetland ecosystem in the coastal estuary of Northern Vietnam. This is also the first DTSQ area in Southeast Asia to apply the co-management model between 3 provinces with an ecosystem approach in managing a large wetland area. Pursuant to Decision No. 2163/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister dated November 11, 2013 "On approving the Master Plan for tourism development in the Red River Delta and Northeast Coast to 2020, with a vision to 2030", the three provinces of Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh, and Thai Binh are divided into the tourism space organization "Southern Red River Sub-region with the direction of exploiting typical tourism products: visiting landscapes, caves, ecological values...; visiting relics, festivals, spirituality".

Ninh Binh: located in the south of the Red River Delta, geographically located at about 19 O 50' - 20 O 26' North latitude and from 105 O 32' - 106 O 20' East longitude. The north of Ninh Binh province borders Ha Nam; the east borders Nam Dinh; the southeast borders the East Sea; the west and southwest borders Thanh Hoa; the west borders Hoa Binh. Ninh Binh is located in the junction between the Red River Delta and the sedimentary rock strip in the west, and is located in the depression of the Red River Delta, adjacent to the East Sea, so it has a diverse terrain: both plains, hills, semi-hilly areas and depressions, coastal areas. Even in one area, there are high and low terrain differences, about 90 km from the capital Hanoi, located on important traffic routes by both road (National Highway 1A, North-South Expressway

- South, National Highway 10...) and the North-South railway, Ninh Binh has become an important bridge in economic - trade - tourism and cultural exchange between the North and South. In addition, Ninh Binh also has a river system (Day River, Hoang Long River, Van River, Vac River, Lang River...) with a relatively developed inland port system, connecting to the East Sea... This is also a favorable condition for transportation and trade with provinces in the country and internationally, creating a unique advantage for socio-economic development, especially in the fields of industry, tourism, services, goods circulation, cultural exchange...

Nam Dinh: is a coastal plain province located in the center of the southern Red River Delta, at coordinates 19º54' to 20º40' North latitude and from 105º55' to 106º45' East longitude, bordering Thai Binh province to the east, Ninh Binh province to the west, the East Sea to the south and southeast, and Ha Nam province to the north. Nam Dinh has a 72 km long coastline starting from the Ba Lat estuary - where the Red River flows into the East Sea to the Day estuary with beaches that have been exploited and built into attractive coastal tourist areas such as Thinh Long (Hai Hau district), Quat Lam (Giao Thuy district). In particular, the Red River estuary wetland area flowing into the East Sea with its mangrove ecosystem, a resting place for migratory birds, is the first international Ramsar site in Vietnam and Southeast Asia (1989). In early 2003, the Prime Minister issued a decision to recognize it as Xuan Thuy National Park.

Thai Binh: Thai Binh province is located in the Southeast of the Red River Delta, from 20º17´ North latitude to 20º49´ North latitude, from 106º06´ East longitude to 106°39´ East longitude. Thai Binh has the following boundaries: to the west and southwest is the Red River, bordering the two provinces of Ha Nam and Nam Dinh; to the north are the Luoc River and the Hoa River, bordering the three provinces of Hung Yen, Hai Duong and Hai Phong City; to the east is the East Sea with over 53 km of coastline in the Gulf of Tonkin. Located in the Red River Delta, Thai Binh has a relatively flat terrain, with a slope of less than 1% (over 1 km), the elevation commonly varies from 1 - 2 m above sea level, gradually decreasing from North to South, the entire natural area is plain. In general, Thai Binh's terrain is simple, the climate is cool and fresh, typical of the rural landscape terrain of the delta plain, suitable for developing agricultural and rural tourism, especially the surrounding river system can develop more river and water tourism.

3.1.1.2 Socio-economic characteristics and tourism space

The three southern provinces of the Red River Delta are planned to belong to the Northern coastal economic region with diverse terrain types: low-lying plains, coastal plains, mountainous and semi-mountainous areas, and a 142 km long coastline. The southern provinces of the Red River Delta have great potential for tourism with long and beautiful beaches, ancient historical relics and many unique natural landscapes. After more than 30 years of renovation, the economy of the southern provinces of the Red River Delta has changed and developed strongly. Especially in recent years, tourism has made significant contributions to the economic development of the provinces, many old tourist destinations have been exploited, new destinations have been built to create unique attractions for the region.

Ninh Binh is a city recognized by the Government as a type II urban area in 2014. The economy grows at an average rate of 12% per year; budget revenue increases, urban infrastructure is increasingly invested; people's lives are improved; the poverty rate decreases, 12/14 communes and wards meet national standards on commune health by 2020; 42/42 schools meet national standards (of which 19/42 schools meet national standards level II), 91.6% of inner-city roads have public lighting, 99.2% of roads are asphalted and concreted, 95.8% of households have access to tap water. Ninh Binh province has established a master plan for tourism development in the province and a detailed plan.

tourist areas and spots, such as: "Trang An Eco-tourism Area", "Bai Dinh Mountain Pagoda Spiritual Tourism Area", special protection area of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital historical and cultural relic site, Dong Chuong Lake Eco-tourism Area, Tam Diep - Bien Son defense line tourist area... and other specialized plans related to the field of tourism development, such as: "Planning for developing occupations and craft villages associated with tourism in Ninh Binh province until 2020, with a vision to 2030"; "Planning for conservation and sustainable development of special-use forests managed by Ninh Binh province until 2020"; "Master plan for economic development of Kim Son coastal area until 2020, with a vision to 2030"; "Planning for aquaculture development; planning for livestock development associated with tourism development; planning of national wildlife park in Ninh Binh”… The whole province has counted 1,499 relics, of which 2 relics are recognized as special national relics, 77 national relics, 267 provincial relics; 01 world cultural and natural heritage. 81 craft villages are recognized as provincial craft villages (craft villages such as: wine products, vermicelli, bamboo and rattan weaving, sedge...). ( Ninh Binh Department of Tourism, 2017 ).

Nam Dinh is located in the key food production area of the Northern Delta, the economic and social center of the southern Red River Delta. The province's total GRDP in 2017 increased by 7%. Regarding construction, investment, transportation, communications and electricity in the whole province: completed the regional construction planning of 09 districts; zoning planning for the Phu Day area, Vu Ban district. Nam Dinh province has over 4,000 historical and cultural relics, including 1 special national historical relic (Tran Temple - Pho Minh Pagoda relic site), 81 national historical relics and 245 provincial historical relics. The two relic complexes of Tran Temple - Pho Minh Pagoda and Phu Day in the "Master plan for Vietnam tourism development to 2020 with a vision to 2030" are identified as national tourist destinations. There are over 90 traditional craft villages (Tong Xa bronze casting, La Xuyen wood carving, Vi Khe ornamental flower and tree growing, Vinh Hao rattan and bamboo weaving, silk weaving, Co Chat silk reeling, Cu Tru, Vi Khe ornamental plants, coastal salt making villages...) which are potential cultural tourism destinations of the province. Every year, hundreds of festivals are held, of which Phu Day festival is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage along with Tran Temple festival, Vieng fair has become a unique intangible cultural tourism product of the locality, very attractive and attracting a large number of tourists. ( Nam Dinh Department of Tourism, 2017 ).

Thai Binh: Thai Binh's economy has grown in recent years with a major shift in economic structure. Gross domestic product (GRDP) in 2018 increased by 10.5%. The average GRDP growth rate for the 5 years 2011 - 2018 reached 9.3%. The position of industry and the service sector in the economy has been at an average level. The province's budget revenue has grown steadily over the years. The total budget revenue in the area in the period 2011 - 2015 was 2.5 times higher than that in the period 2006 - 2010, increasing by an average of 16.6%/year. With a long-standing rice civilization, Thai Binh has many historical and cultural relics. Currently, the whole province of Thai Binh has 02 special national relics, 113 relics ranked by recognition of national relics and 523 provincial relics. Including

Historical and cultural relics include: historical revolutionary relics, historical architectural and artistic relics... The most prominent are Keo Pagoda; the relics of temples and tombs of the Tran Kings; A Sao communal house, temple, statue wharf; Tien La temple; Dong Bang temple; Dong Xam temple; An Co communal house and a number of other relics that also attract tourists from all over the world. The restored historical architectural relics, natural landscapes, and human landscapes are valuable cultural tourism resources for tourism development.

3.1.2 Tourism potential of the southern provinces of the Red River Delta

3.1.2.1 Potential for nature tourism

Belonging to the Red River Delta region, the southern provinces also have similar geographical locations and natural terrain, creating many beautiful landscapes that attract tourists.

Marine tourism resources : the southern provinces of the Red River Delta have a relatively long coastline and some beautiful beaches that can be exploited for tourism activities such as Dong Chau beach (Thai Binh), Thinh Long, Giao Lam (Nam Dinh)... However, beaches such as Quat Lam, Thinh Long... have murky water so they have little value for beach tourism. Specialties from the sea include high-class foods such as abalone, lobster, squid, etc. in this area are very available and cheap. Besides, other products from the sea such as handicrafts, souvenirs are also very valuable for tourism.

Cave tourism resources: Among the many caves discovered in the southern provinces of the Red River Delta, there are many beautiful, large caves that can be exploited for tourism and research purposes such as Trang An - Tam Coc - Bich Dong, Dich Long (Ninh Binh).

Tourism resources of rivers, lakes, hot springs, mineral water: Rivers, lakes, hot springs, mineral water are one of the very rich tourism resources in the southern provinces of the Red River Delta. These resources are exploited for the purposes of sightseeing, relaxation, entertainment, sports and medical treatment. Typical hot springs are Kenh Ga (Ninh Binh), Tien Hai (Thai Binh) ...

Tourism resources in special-use forests: in the territory of the 3 provinces, there are a number of wetland reserves with high tourism value such as Xuan Thuy (Nam Dinh) and Van Long (Ninh Binh), of which Xuan Thuy is one of the 4 Ramsar sites in the country. National parks such as Cuc Phuong (Ninh Binh) and Xuan Thuy (Nam Dinh) preserve large areas of primeval forest with many typical tropical plants and animals. This is the best place to preserve the genetic resources of flora and fauna, conserve ecology and biodiversity, so it has great significance in terms of science, economy, education and tourism.

Some areas have special tourist landscapes: Tam Coc - Bich Dong - Van Long - Trang An area: Tam Coc - Bich Dong is known as "dry Ha Long" with mountains, rivers, lakes, and unique caves associated with Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of the two Dinh dynasties.

– Le, a special national relic. Cuc Phuong is the first national park established in our country, where a unique collection of real world, typical animals of tropical humid nature, Van Long wetland reserve, Kenh Ga hot mineral water, etc. is preserved and maintained. However, the most prominent scenic spot is Trang An.

Recognized by UNESCO as a world natural and cultural heritage, Tam Coc and Bich Dong are recognized as special national monuments.

3.1.2.2 Cultural tourism potential

The southern provinces of the Red River Delta have similar natural and cultural landscapes, all with mountains, some with central delta landscapes, some with coastal landscapes. The prosperous villages interspersed with fertile flat fields have entered Vietnamese poetry and literature - characteristics of the northern delta region. The provinces all focus on developing cultural tourism in addition to exploiting the natural landscape. Beliefs and culture are the attractions for tourists when mentioning these provinces. The southern provinces of the Red River Delta have 1,320 ranked relics, of which 05 are special national relics with 1 world natural and cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO.

Historical - cultural, architectural and archaeological relics such as Hoa Lu ancient capital, Phat Diem stone church (Ninh Binh), Tran temple, Pho Minh tower (Nam Dinh), temples of Tran kings, Keo pagoda (Thai Binh), etc. deeply demonstrate the Eastern philosophical thought and the talented hands of the Vietnamese working people from ancient times. The above relic system together with other intangible cultural values, famous relics, cuisine, etc. of the region are characteristics of the Red River rice civilization, Vietnamese culture that cannot be found anywhere else.

Folklore festivals : The southern provinces of the Red River Delta are the land of festivals. Festivals in the region are closely associated with the Red River Delta wet rice civilization, so they are highly generalized, vividly reflecting the spiritual life, philosophical thoughts and cultural identity of Vietnam. The Red River Delta is the homeland of village festivals, regional festivals, and national festivals; the cradle of agricultural festivals and festivals with historical and cultural content at the national level. Therefore, despite certain differences, the types of festivals in the North are more or less representative of the whole country. This is one of the main points that attract tourists to the Red River Delta and the Northeast Coast (RD & DHDB) in general and the RRD in particular.

Music and dance : developing tourism in the southern Red River Delta, traditional music and dance are also valuable tourism resources. Most types of folk songs in the Northern region such as poetry, lullabies, folk songs, drum songs, wedding songs, quan ho... are very popular. However, the most attractive value for tourists in the southern provinces of the Red River Delta is Cheo singing. Cheo is a type of Vietnamese folk theater art originating from the capital Hoa Lu and strongly developed in the Northern Delta - the most typical representative of traditional Vietnamese theater. The southern provinces of the Red River Delta are also famous for folk dances and water puppetry. Many dance troupes were formed and became famous during the Ly Dynasty, such as the traditional puppet troupe in Nguyen village, Nguyen Xa, Dong Hung (Thai Binh), and Nam Chan puppet troupe (Nam Ha). In general, traditional music and dance are often associated with traditional festivals and historical and cultural relics. All have been closely linked together to create the cultural nuances of the region and Vietnamese culture.

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