Management and Development of Ecotourism in Special-Use Forests

The first product, mainly deals with the origins of ecotourism, ecotourism business and ecotourism management.

In general, the concept, nature of ecotourism, benefits and problems arising in tourism development due to lack of careful management in natural areas are issues that the above authors are much concerned about.

1.2.2. In Vietnam

In recent times, the demand for tourism development has increased, and comprehensive territorial assessment studies for tourism development have also developed strongly. Since the 1980s, there have been a number of scientific topics and projects addressing this issue such as: "Exploiting resources and protecting the tourism environment in Vietnam " (1986); "Vietnam tourism development planning" (1991); "Vietnam tourism territorial organization" ( Vu Tuan Canh, 1991) [9]; "Vietnam tourism development master plan" (General Department of Tourism, 1995) [27]; especially the book "Vietnam tourism resources and environment " (Pham Trung Luong, 2000) [17] mentioned the system of methods for assessing tourism resources, this is the first theoretical overview of tourism resource assessment in our country. Research works on tourism have received more attention since the 90s along with the rise of tourism in our country. Works: Basics of tourism geography , Tourism geography, introduction to tourism science (Tran Duc Thanh, 2000) [25] and many other works.

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Ecotourism has emerged in Vietnam since the mid-1990s and has attracted the attention of scientists and environmentalists such as Pham Trung Luong and Nguyen Ngoc Khanh (Theoretical basis of ecotourism, Vietnam tourism resources, etc.).

By the late 1990s, ecotourism had begun to attract attention at the national level with the participation of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and many international organizations in Vietnam such as UNDP, UN-ESCAP, WWF, IUCN. The organization of seminars revolving around the issues of ecotourism development such as the Seminar on ecotourism with sustainable tourism development (DLBV) in Vietnam (1998); Seminar " Building a national strategy for ecotourism development in Vietnam " (August 1999), Scientific seminar: " Ecotourism development in biosphere reserves: opportunities and challenges " (2004) ... are initial signs showing a wider interest of scholars. With the topic "Scientific basis for ecotourism development in Vietnam" Pham Trung

Luong (1996) [16] established the scientific basis for the development of ecotourism in Vietnam and organized ecotourism space nationwide. In particular, the publication of the book " Tourism and ecotourism" (The Dat, 2003) [14] and " Ecotourism, theoretical and practical issues in Vietnam " (Pham Trung Luong and Nguyen Ngoc Khanh, Nguyen Van Lanh, Hoang Hoa Quan, 2002) [18], the theoretical basis of ecotourism has been somewhat shaped. In general, ecotourism can be considered a perspective on sustainable tourism development, based on nature and indigenous culture, associated with environmental protection, selecting the positive aspects of some types of tourism and having relationships with other types of tourism such as: cultural tourism, community-based tourism, indigenous tourism, ...

In terms of practical basis, in 2004, based on the cooperation of the Forestry Department, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam, the Fundeso Sustainable Development Organization and the Spanish International Cooperation Agency published the book " Management Manual for Ecotourism Development in Vietnam's Protected Areas ". This book is considered the foundation for the management and organization of ecotourism in Vietnam. In addition, many other studies have been and are being formed around the issue of awareness and practical application of ecotourism in Vietnam.

The book “Ecotourism” (2006) by Le Huy Ba [3] is both theoretical and highly applicable for ecotourism planning and tour design. This book demonstrates the laws of interaction between environmental components in the ecosystem, biodiversity, succession and their interdependence according to the laws of movement and development of ecotourism.

In addition, many research programs, doctoral and master's theses also approach tourism issues related to nature and environmental ecology such as: the doctoral thesis of Pham Quang Anh (Analysis of landscape ecological structure applied to orient green tourism organization in Vietnam, 1996), Nguyen Thi Son (Scientific basis for orienting ecotourism development in Cuc Phuong National Park)...

1.3. Management and development of ecotourism in special-use forests

1.3.1. Overview of the organization of ecotourism development in special-use forests

In the past, ecotourism was often considered a type of tourism that came to wild nature to study, admire and enjoy the natural landscape.

beautiful nature, wild flora and fauna and local cultural and historical features. Recently, ecotourism has taken on a more positive meaning. In addition to meeting the needs of recreation and scientific research, ecotourism also plays a role in contributing to the conservation of nature, culture and sustainable development.

Globally, significant advances have been made in the tourism industry, especially in ecotourism and conservation, due to growing concerns about environmental issues (Newsome et al., 2013). Ecotourism is no longer just a concept or a topic for reflection, but has become a global reality (Ralf Buckley, 2009) [41]. In many countries around the world, the issue of ecotourism development is of great concern to the Government, often appearing in major news or public commercial advertisements. Ecotourism has brought many specific benefits in the field of conservation and sustainable development. For example, in Costa Rica and Venezuela, some ranchers have protected important areas of tropical forest, thereby turning them into well-functioning ecotourism destinations, helping to protect natural ecosystems while creating new jobs for local people. Ecuador uses the income from ecotourism on some of its islands to help maintain its entire network of National Parks. In South Africa, ecotourism has become an effective means of improving the living standards of rural people, who are increasingly involved in ecotourism activities. The Polish government also actively promotes ecotourism and has recently established a number of national Nature and Tourism Areas to enhance nature protection and national tourism development. In Australia and New Zealand, much of the tourism activity can be classified as ecotourism. This industry ranks highly in the economies of both countries.

In Vietnam, tourism is also gradually becoming an important economic sector and in the near future, tourism activities are considered the most effective way to earn foreign currency and increase income for the country. Vietnam tourism is highly appreciated by the world's leading travel companies, because our country has many potentials in tourism resources, both natural and human. Along with the development of the tourism industry, ecotourism in Vietnam has also developed rapidly in recent years. Besides the potentials and prospects, it is impossible not to mention the great challenges awaiting this young environmental service industry, requiring a comprehensive effort from the government, organizations, businesses and individuals.

Management and development of ecotourism in Vietnam's special-use forests are closely linked to State management of tourism. In the 2005 Law on Tourism [21], these contents are specifically regulated as follows:

1. Develop and organize the implementation of tourism development strategies, plans, policies and strategies.

2. Develop, promulgate and organize the implementation of legal documents, economic and technical standards and norms in tourism activities.

3. Propagating, disseminating, educating about laws and information about tourism.

4. Managing and organizing human resource training and development activities; researching and applying science and technology.

5. Organize investigation and assessment of tourism resources to develop tourism development plans, identify tourist areas, tourist spots, tourist routes, and tourist cities.

6. Organize international cooperation on tourism; promote tourism activities domestically and internationally.

7. Regulations on the organization of the state management apparatus on tourism, the coordination of state agencies in state management on tourism.

8. Granting and revoking licenses and certificates for tourism activities.

9. Inspect, examine, resolve complaints, denunciations and handle violations of tourism laws.

In fact, ecotourism in forests with landscape value in Vietnam was exploited by the French from the beginning of the 20th century in some areas that have now become special-use forests such as Tam Dao, Ba Vi, Bach Ma, Ba Na... At that time, there was no concept of ecotourism, so these areas were often just resorts. After 1954, due to war and economic conditions, tourism in these areas was no longer active. After the country's reunification until the 1990s, the system of special-use forests was gradually formed, but tourism towards nature had not yet developed. During this period, some National Parks often only received sightseeing and environmental education classes for students of universities and were research sites for domestic and foreign organizations. Since 1990, tourism activities towards nature have begun to operate again. In recent years, due to the process of international integration and the development of domestic economic conditions, the demand for tourism in general and ecotourism in particular has grown stronger and stronger.

Realizing that ecotourism activities in special-use forests bring great benefits to local communities and are one of the important activities that bring sustainable income for the cause of forest protection and development. Ecotourism activities, if well organized and oriented in accordance with each outstanding feature of the special-use forest, can generate significant income, contributing to the cause of conserving biodiversity of forest ecosystems and reducing human pressure on nature. Since 1994, ecotourism activities have been mentioned by the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the Law on Forest Protection and Development. The Law on Forest Protection and Development, amended and supplemented in 2004[20], once again affirms the important role of ecotourism activities in the special-use forest system for the cause of nature conservation.

Ecotourism, if well managed, is a form of non-consumable use of natural and cultural resources. The goal of ecotourism is not purely economic benefits but its potential to contribute to the conservation of beautiful natural landscapes, the diversity of ecosystems, rich flora and fauna and unique ethnic cultures. On the one hand, income from ecotourism can be used to support activities that have a direct impact on conservation work such as: Propagating and mobilizing local people to participate in the conservation of National Parks, improving the lives of local people through projects such as planting buffer zones, clean water, rural roads, infrastructure, etc.

Through ecotourism, educate people about forest protection, environmental protection and contribute to beautifying the landscape and environment. Create more jobs and develop more industries for the area, contributing to the socio-economic development of the locality. Increase state budget revenue to invest in the management, protection and development of forest capital of the special-use forest system.

1.3.2. Current status of mechanisms and policies related to ecotourism development in special-use forests in Vietnam

a) Legal documents regulating ecotourism activities in the special-use forest system

* Laws passed by Congress

- The Law on Forest Protection and Development was passed by the 11th National Assembly at the 6th session on December 3, 2004;

- Land Law (passed by the 11th National Assembly, 4th session on November 26, 2003); Land Law amended in 2014;

- Law on Tourism (passed by the 11th National Assembly, 7th session on June 14, 2005);

- The 2005 amended Law on Environmental Protection was passed by the 11th National Assembly, 8th session on November 29, 2005; the 2014 Law on Environmental Protection;

- Law on biodiversity conservation (passed by the 12th National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, 4th session, on November 13, 2008).

* Relevant sub-law documents

- Decree 163/ND-CP dated November 16, 1999 of the Government on regulations on land allocation and lease of forestry land to organizations, households and individuals for stable and long-term use for forestry purposes;

- Decree No. 23/2006/ND-CP dated March 3, 2006 of the Government on the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Forest Protection and Development;

- Decree 117/2010/ND-CP dated December 24, 2010 of the Government on organization and management of special-use forest system;

- Decree 92/2006/ND-CP dated September 7, 2006 of the Government on the establishment, approval and management of master plans for socio-economic development;

- Decree 108/2006/ND-CP dated September 22, 2006 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Investment Law;

- Circular 78/2011/TT-BNNPTNT dated November 11, 2011 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development detailing the implementation of Decree 117/2010/ND-CP dated December 24, 2010 of the Government on the organization and management of the special-use forest system;

- Decision 08/2001/QD-TTg dated January 11, 2001 of the Prime Minister on promulgating regulations on management of production forests, special-use forests, and protection forests that are natural forests;

- Decision 186/2006/QD-TTg dated August 14, 2006 of the Prime Minister promulgating the forest management regulations;

- Decision 104/2007/QD-BNN dated December 27, 2007 of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development promulgating regulations on management of ecotourism activities in National Parks and Nature Reserves;

- Decision 18/2007/QD-TTg dated February 5, 2007 of the Prime Minister approving the Forestry Development Strategy for the period 2006-2020;

- Decision 24/2012/QD-TTg dated June 1, 2012 of the Prime Minister on investment policy for special-use forest development in the 2011-2020 period.

b) Some key policies on ecotourism in the special-use forest system

* Policy on developing ecotourism in the special-use forest system

- Special-use forest land is a forestry land area planned for construction and development to preserve nature, standard samples of national forest ecosystems, genetic resources of forest plants and animals; scientific research; protection of historical and cultural relics and scenic spots, serving tourism and recreation, and protection of the ecological environment (Clause 1, Article 3, Decree 163/ND-TTg);

- The State leases special-use areas as landscape protection areas to economic organizations with annual payments for protection and development combined with landscape, resort, and eco-tourism business (Article 25, Law on Forest Protection and Development);

- When conducting activities combining business, resort, and eco-tourism in special-use forests, it is necessary to comply with forest management regulations, forest protection regulations, tourism laws, cultural heritage laws, environmental protection laws, and other relevant legal provisions (Articles 40 and 53 of the Law on Forest Protection and Development);

- The State encourages the development of ecological models for villages, hamlets, residential areas, industrial parks, entertainment areas, tourist areas and other types of natural landscapes to create harmony between humans and nature (Clause 1, Article 31, Law on Environmental Protection);

- National parks are managed and used mainly for the conservation of forests and forest ecosystems, scientific research, environmental education and ecotourism (Clause 1, Article 13, Forest Management Regulations issued with Decision 186/2006/QD-TTg);

- Synchronously develop forestry from management, protection, development, rational use of resources, from afforestation, forest improvement and forest enrichment to exploitation and processing of forest products, environmental services, ecotourism... Increase revenue from forest environmental values through clean development mechanism (CDM), water resource protection, ecotourism... plan, classify and have a plan to develop 3 types of forests (Special-use forests, Forest Protection Forests, Production Forests), combine conservation, protection with development of ecotourism, resorts and other environmental services (Clause 3, Article 1, Decision 18/2007/QD-TTg);

- The State encourages the development of forest environmental service activities and ecotourism business in special-use forests in accordance with the provisions of law, in order to create revenue to offset costs, increase income of cadres, civil servants and public employees and gradually replace investment from the state budget (Clause 3, Article 1, Decision 24/2012/QD-TTg);

- The State encourages economic sectors to invest in developing ecotourism in special-use forests (Clause 1, Article 10, Decision 24/2012/QD-TTg).

* Policy on ecotourism planning

- Regulations on tourism development planning contents, in which planning for National Parks is classified as specific planning and includes contents such as Article 19, Law on Tourism (Article 19, Law on Tourism);

- In Article 9, Decree 117/2010/ND-CP stipulates the planning content of special-use forests, including the need for ecotourism planning in special-use forests;

- Planning for special-use forest development: The special-use forest management board shall prepare a plan for special-use forest development (including eco-tourism development) and submit it to the competent authority.

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