Ecotourism potential of the southeast coastal area of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – Can Gio mangrove forest

Paper Details

Research Paper 01/06/2018
Views (637) Download (31)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Ecotourism potential of the southeast coastal area of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – Can Gio mangrove forest

Nguyen Van Lap, Ta Thi Kim Oanh, Pham Cong Luyen, Nguyen Thi Mong Lan,Ta Duy Thong, Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, Vo Thi Hong Quyen
J. Bio. Env. Sci.12( 6), 1-10, June 2018.
Certificate: JBES 2018 [Generate Certificate]

Abstract

Can Gio is a coastal district about 90 km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City center, south Vietnam. Can Gio is a unique area in Ho Chi Minh City having mangrove forests with a complex river network, characterizing for tropical river mouth. In December 2000, Can Gio Mangrove Forest was officially recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve with an area of 10,734.95 ha, the first biosphere reserve in Vietnam. It has an important role in terms of national security and the development of marine economy especially, the general planning of socio-economic in Can Gio by 2020, with a vision to 2030, this area has been identified as one of the typical clusters of eco-tourism system in Ho Chi Minh City. However, the situation of eco-tourism exploitation in Can Gio area is quite fragmented and spontaneous. In this paper, we focus in analyzing the natural potential and humanity potential for ecotourism development of Can Gio area based on the comprehensive analysis view, and field survey. This study showed that Can Giohas special ecotourism values: the unique landscape of the estuarine coastal area is still pristine with high biodiversity mangrove ecosystem; special cultural festivals; historical relics and tradition. This study also assesses the current status of ecotourism in Can Gio, where it is being promoted as a strategy for balancing regional economic growth and conservation objectives. Through an evaluation of the existing tourism- national park- community relationships, opportunities and constraints are identified. The resolutions of management and development of eco-tourism in Can Gio such as improvement of infrastructure, strengthening environmental education as well as encouraging the participation of local communities in tourism activities are proposed.

VIEWS 87

Boyd SW. 2000. Tourism, national parks and sustainability.Pages 161–186 in R. Butler, and S. Boyd. Eds, Tourism and national parks: issues and implications. John Wiley & Sons, London.

Campbell LM. 1999. Ecotourism in rural developing countries. Annals of Tourism Research 26, 531–553.

Cater E. 1994. Ecotourism in the Third World: Problems for sustainable tourism development. Pages 469–86 in E. Cater, and G. Lowman. Eds, Ecotourism: A sustainable option? John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, UK.

Ceballos-Lascurain H. 1993. Ecotourism as a worldwide phenomenon.Pages 312–15 in K. Lindberg, and D. E. Hawkins. Eds, Ecotourism: a guide for planners & managers. The Ecotourism Society, North Bennington, Vermont.

Ceballos-Lascurain H. 1996. Tourism, ecotourism and protected areas: the state of nature-based tourism around the world and guidelines for its development. International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Gland, Switzerland.

Cresswell C, MacLaren F. 2000. Tourism and national parks in emerging tourism countries.Pages 283–299 in R. Butler, and S. Boyd. Eds, Tourism and national parks: issues and implications. John Wiley & Sons, London.

Hummel J. 1994. Ecotourism development in protected areas of developing countries. World Leisure and Recreation 36, 17–23.

Hvenegaard GT, Dearden P. 1998. Ecotourism versus tourism in a Thai national park. Annals of Tourism Research 25, 700 –720.

Le D T, Tran TKO, Cat VT, Nguyen DQ.2002. Can Gio mangrove biosphere reserve. Agricultural pub., house HCMC, (bilingue book: Vietnamses- English), 310.

Lindberg K. 1991. Policies for maximizing nature tourism’s ecological and economic benefits. World Resources Institute, Washington, DC.

Nenon J, Durst PB. 1993. Nature tourism in Asia: opportunities and constraints for conservation and economic development. US Department of Agriculture and Office of International Cooperation and Development, Washington, DC.

Nepal SK. 2000.Tourism, national parks and local communities.Pages 73–94 in R. Butler, and S. Boyd.Eds, Tourism and national parks: issues and implications. John Wiley & Sons, London.

Ross S, WallG. 1999. Evaluating ecotourism: the case of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Tourism Management 20, 673–682.

UNESCO.2000. Valuation of the mangrove ecosystem in Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, Vietnam. Final report, Hanoi.

Weaver DB. 2005. Comprehensive and minimalist dimension of ecotourism. Ann Tour Res 32, 432–455.