The Role of Rivers in the Development of River Tourism

Natural tourism resources include natural landscapes, geology, geomorphology, riverine ecosystems and other natural elements. Cultural tourism resources include riverine cultural landscapes, historical - cultural relics, revolutionary relics, archeology, architecture, traditional cultural values, festivals, folk arts, cultural values, and human creative works for tourism purposes. These tourism resources are located on rivers, along rivers or in the vicinity of rivers within a radius of less than 5 km and must be able to be exploited directly or indirectly for river tourism activities.

- River tourism products

Based on the concept of tourism products and characteristics of river tourism, according to the author, "river tourism products are a set of services based on exploiting the value of river flows and related resources in the surrounding area to satisfy the needs of tourists" .

There are many studies on the identification of river tourism products. In the River Inventory, assessing changes to suit recreation (Chubb. M & Bauman. E, 1968), river tourism products include: Wilderness boating, general boating, small sailing, motorboats/electric boats, windsurfing, swimming, riverside fishing, boat fishing, nature research, hunting, canoeing, camping along the trails, picnicking. The European Waterways as a Recreational and Recreational Resource Study (Prideaux & Cooper, 2009) identified river tourism products as including: Riverside recreation and recreation, yachting, river boating, a combination of river and shore activities. The work River Tourism in the East of Croatia: Prospects for Development (Bosnic, 2012) states that river tourism products are different activities taking place on rivers such as cruising, boating, fishing and activities taking place on the river banks.

Thus, although there are different divisions of tourism products, they can be divided into 3 groups: tourism activities on rivers, on river banks and combined tourism activities.

+ Riverbank tourism activities: With activities such as riverside resorts, camping, fishing, walking, cycling or other means of transport along the riverbank for sightseeing, relaxation or combined with visiting riverside tourist attractions.

+ River tourism activities: Rowing, cruising, river bathing, recreational activities, adventure sports on the river.

+ Combined tourism activities: Rowing and cruising combined with sightseeing and exploring riverside tourist attractions to experience local scenery and culture.

1.1.2. The role of rivers in the development of river tourism

In the history of human development, the world's great civilizations and cities were formed and developed prosperously along major rivers such as the Nile, Indus, Ganges, Ophrat, Tigris, Yellow River, and Yangtze River. Rivers play an important role in the economic development of each country by providing a sustainable water source. Rivers are the center of human activities, identified as "transport routes, food sources, and at times places for sightseeing and entertainment ". "The river and its movement by humans allow the desert to bloom with agricultural products and suitable recreational opportunities" (Prideaux & Cooper, 2009). Thus, the role of rivers is emphasized here as a route of transportation, a place for community activities, entertainment, providing direct food sources for humans, and a driving factor for the development of agriculture. Therefore, along the river basin there are often densely populated residential areas with many cultural values and recreational activities associated with rivers.

In the present era, “in the economic context, when tourism is becoming more important than the exploitation of other basic resources and production, rivers play an increasingly important role in continuing to support large cities in the contemporary era to become a valuable tourism resource”, as well as “being a major spatial part of the landscape and forming a valuable tourism resource” (Prideaux & Cooper, 2009). Therefore, the role of rivers in tourism development is expressed in many different aspects.

- Each river flows through different landscape areas such as natural landscapes, cultural landscapes with attractive, recreational, cultural - historical values with unique local characteristics. This is an attractive resource for developing river tourism.

- The river is where traffic activities based on river flow take place. Therefore, the river is where activities related to passenger transport or activities related to river flow take place such as: boating, yachting, swimming, surfing on the river... to create river tourism products.

- Rivers also create a unique tourism environment with water-related sports and entertainment activities including water sports, fishing, excursions, resort activities...

- Rivers also provide abundant food sources directly such as fish and other food sources or indirectly through agriculture. Fish and specialties from rivers or agricultural products along rivers are both a source of food and food for humans and also bring a unique flavor to each river, creating a diversity of cuisine and agricultural ecology serving tourism.

- Rivers create a cool, pleasant atmosphere, especially in hot, dry climates, or in the summer, this is an attractive destination for tourists.

Thus, rivers become one of the important resources for tourism development, this development is not only exploited in developed regions and countries but "River tourism can also be used as a solution to develop tourism in remote, undeveloped areas" . River tourism "also brings the possibility of opening up tourism development opportunities for remote areas with the attraction to explore and satisfy the special needs of tourists" (Inskeep, 1991). At the same time, river tourism also provides the opportunity to preserve the natural, cultural and historical values characteristically along the river.

1.1.3. Factors affecting the development of river tourism

River tourism exploits a variety of different resources such as river flows, natural landscapes, cultural landscapes, and unique historical and cultural values of local communities. Therefore, river tourism development must be associated with maximizing the use of riverside tourism resources (Fachrudin & Lubis, 2016). Therefore, from the perspective of geography, the practice of the research area and the characteristics of the river tourism type according to the author of the thesis, river tourism is also influenced by a combination of factors: Geographical location; climate, hydrological characteristics; river tourism resources; infrastructure; economic development and security, social safety; river tourism development strategies and policies; participation of local communities.

(1) Geographical location: The geographical location of the river is a factor that creates favorable or difficult conditions in attracting tourists. The geographical location of the river is easy to access, creating favorable conditions for exploiting tourism. In addition, the location of the river near the tourism center has more advantages in attracting tourists than rivers located far from the center.

(2) Climate: Climate is a factor that directly affects the quantity and regime of river water, therefore, directly affects the exploitation of river tourism activities. In particular, rainfall has the greatest influence, abundant rainfall will increase the amount of river water, on the contrary, areas with poor rainfall will reduce the amount of river water, where rainfall is moderate, the river water regime is also moderate. Other factors such as evaporation reduce the river water regime, air temperature reduces relative humidity and increases the evaporation process of the river, thereby affecting river tourism. In the summer or in hot climate areas, the river is the highlight attracting tourists. Dangerous climatic factors such as storms, tropical depressions, floods, droughts affect the river and river tourism activities.

(3) Hydrological characteristics: DDL is closely linked to river flows, so it is directly affected by the hydrological factors of rivers. Rivers with stable hydrological regimes, year-round regulated water volume, and clean water sources are favorable conditions for DDL development. On the contrary, rivers with complex hydrological regimes, large differences in total annual flow volume will cause difficulties, and even have many negative consequences for DDL development. Therefore, this is a factor affecting DDL development in Da Nang City.

(4) River tourism resources: The exploitation of river tourism is a combination of many different resources from water sources, natural landscapes, cultural landscapes, unique historical and cultural values of local communities in the vicinity of the river. Therefore, river tourism development must be associated with maximizing the use of river tourism resources (Fachrudin & Lubis, 2016). River tourism resources include natural and cultural resources. Natural river tourism resources include natural landscapes, geology, geomorphology, riverine ecosystems and other natural elements. Cultural river tourism resources include riverine cultural landscapes, historical - cultural relics, revolutionary sites, archeology, architecture, traditional cultural values, festivals, folk arts, cultural values, and human creative works for tourism purposes. These tourism resources are located on rivers or in the vicinity of rivers within a radius of less than 5 km and must be capable of being exploited directly or indirectly for river tourism.

(5) Infrastructure: Infrastructure is the premise and lever of all economic activities, including tourism activities (Nguyen Minh Tue et al., 2017). Therefore, infrastructure also plays a role.

important role in the development of tourism, including connecting transport systems, electricity, water systems, telecommunications infrastructure and medical infrastructure.

(6) Economic development and social security and safety: The development of river tourism depends on the economic development situation and trends of the locality. Localities with developed economic conditions have high living standards and incomes, and diverse needs for recreation. In addition, the more developed the economy is, the better investment in river tourism is, and capital for river tourism is easier to mobilize. The security and social safety situation is an important condition that plays a role in promoting or inhibiting the development of river tourism. Localities with stable political security, social order and safety, and civilization will be a favorable environment for river tourism activities to take place. At the same time, ensuring safety on ships and at river tourism sites is an important factor for exploiting river tourism.

(7) River tourism development policy: The strategy and policy for river tourism development are key factors leading to success in development, tourism linkage and ensuring tourism sustainability (United Nations Environment Programme, 2009). For river tourism, policies are strong factors that create driving forces for the development of this type of tourism and are expressed through the general tourism development policy of the whole country, the South Central Coast, the general development policy for the tourism industry and the specific development policy for river tourism of Da Nang City. The more open and practical the tourism development policy is, the more favorable conditions are created for the development of river tourism.

(8) Participation of local communities in river tourism development: Participation of local communities is an important factor for tourism development. According to the Vietnam Tourism Law (2017), “Residential communities are responsible for protecting tourism resources and local cultural identity; maintaining security, order, social safety, and protecting the environment” (Article 6, Chapter 1 of the Vietnam Tourism Law, 2017). Thus, it can be seen that the residential community and their cultural values are resources for river tourism, and they are also the direct labor force for river tourism development. Therefore, river tourism development cannot be separated from the development of riverside communities. Sharing benefits with local communities from tourism activities will contribute to significantly reducing community pressure on tourism resources, protecting tourism resources, preserving local cultural identity, security, order, social safety, environment and contributing to improving the material and spiritual life of local people.

1.1.4. Indicators for evaluating river tourism development applied to research in Da Nang city

1.1.4.1. Criteria for assessing the potential for river tourism development

* Select criteria and classify evaluation indicators

Inheriting from related studies, suitable to the research object and scope, the thesis has built a set of criteria to comprehensively evaluate the potential for tourism development in Da Nang City, including the following 6 groups of criteria:

- Accessibility criteria

River accessibility affects the organization of exploitation and the choice of tourists. The criterion reflects the ability of tourists to access the river conveniently without obstacles. In exploiting river tourism, tourists move from tourist supply points to the river or tourist points along the river by road (Ballen et al, 2014), so the accessibility of the river is determined by a combination of criteria: Distance from tourist supply points to the river, quality of roads and time to access the river.

Table 1.1. Accessibility criteria

Level

Indicators - Interpretation

Very convenient

The distance from the tourist point to the river is less than 10 km,

Road quality is very good with over 95% being paved, access time under 30 minutes.

Favorable

The distance from the tourist access point to the river is from 10 - 30 km,

Good road quality with 80 - 94% asphalt, access time about 30 - 60 minutes.

Medium

The distance from the tourist access point to the river is from 31 - 50 km,

Road quality is average with 71 - 80% asphalt, access time is about 60 - 90 minutes.

Less favorable

The distance from the tourist point to the river is from 51 - 70 km, the quality of the roads is not favorable with 61 - 70% being roads.

plastic, exposure time 90 - 120 minutes.

Unfavorable

The distance from the tourist point to the river is over 70 km, the quality of the roads is not favorable with less than 60% being asphalt roads,

Access time over 120 minutes.

Maybe you are interested!

(Source: Thesis author)

- River size criteria

The size of the river affects the space and suitability for tourism activities. Rivers are the main spatial part of the landscape and form a valuable tourism resource (Prideaux & Cooper, 2009). A river that is too narrow or too shallow will hardly bring the experience of an open, gentle space to visitors. In addition, a river that is too narrow makes it more difficult for boats to travel when the number of boats increases suddenly (Nguyen Thi Hong Dieu and Vu Dieu Ngan, 2014). For large rivers, less limited clearance will create an open landscape space and bring opportunities to exploit a variety of tourism products. The criteria are built based on the regulation No. 46/2016/TT-BGTVT Regulations on technical levels of inland waterways of the Ministry of Transport in 2016.

Table 1.2. River size criteria

Level

Indicators - Interpretation

Very good

It is a grade I river according to the classification of inland waterways in Vietnam with dimensions of depth > 4 m, width > 90 m; Clearance span > 85 m, bridge clearance height > 11 m, power line clearance height > 12+∆H. The river is suitable for over 5

river tourism activities

Good

It is a level II, III river according to the classification of inland waterways in Vietnam with dimensions of depth > 2.8 m, width > 40 m; Clearance span > 40 m, bridge clearance height > 7 m, power line clearance height > 12+∆H. The river is suitable for the above

4 river tourism activities.

Medium

It is a level IV, V river according to the classification of inland waterways in Vietnam with dimensions of depth > 1.8 m, width > 20 m; Clearance span > 20 m, bridge clearance height > 4 m, power line clearance height > 7+∆H. The river is suitable for the above

3 river tourism activities.

Least

It is a level VI river according to the classification of inland waterways in Vietnam with dimensions of depth > 1 m, width > 12 m; Clearance span > 10 m, bridge clearance height > 3 m, power line clearance height > 7+∆H. The river is suitable for over 2

river tourism activities

Very poor

Is a river route that has not been classified as an inland waterway in Vietnam. The river has a low depth < 1 m, width < 12 m; Cavity aperture

Clearance < 10 m, bridge clearance < 3 m, height

power line clearance > 7+∆H. The river is suitable for above

1 river tourism activity.

(Source: Ministry of Transport, 2016; thesis author)

- Landscape attractiveness criteria

The attractiveness of the landscape on both sides of the river plays a very important role in creating attraction and appeal for the exploitation of river tourism. Attractiveness is a very important factor, directly affecting the formation of products, because not all rivers can be exploited for tourism development (Baker et al., 2010). Therefore, the development of river tourism must be associated with maximizing the use of riverside tourism resources (Fachrudin H. T & Lubis M. D, 2016). This criterion is considered according to two landscape groups: cultural landscape and natural landscape due to the difference in the nature of the landscape in each area the river flows through.

Table 1.3. Landscape attractiveness criteria

Level

Indicators - Interpretation

Very attractive

Cultural landscapes with very beautiful scenery, unique features of rivers with international/national significance, or natural landscapes with beautiful scenery

The scenery and terrain are beautiful and completely wild.

Attractive

Cultural landscape with beautiful scenery, unique features of the river

meaningful to the whole country/central region, or natural landscape with beautiful and wild scenery and terrain.

Medium

Cultural landscapes have quite beautiful scenery, unique features of rivers that have significance to the locality, or natural landscapes have quite beautiful scenery and terrain and are semi-wild with signs of

currently affected by socio-economic activities.

Less attractive

Cultural landscapes have monotonous scenery, unique features of the river that are significant to the river, or natural landscapes have monotonous scenery, terrain and are semi-wild, affected

affected by socio-economic activities.

Unattractive

Cultural landscape has very monotonous scenery, not meaningful.

unique, or natural landscape with very monotonous scenery and terrain and heavily influenced by socio-economic activities.

(Source: Thesis author)

- Criteria for ability to connect with tourist attractions along the riverbank

This criterion evaluates the river's ability to connect with tourist attractions along the riverbank to create diversity for tourist products because, unlike sea tourism which only focuses on

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