Son La Mission Report - mekongtourism.org · SNV’s assistance project in the province which will meet both client demands and SNV objectives. The mission was conducted from 22 November

Mission Report

Tourism Identification Mission Son La Province, Vietnam

SNV Vietnam 22 November – 3 December 2004

By: N.D.H. Cuong, Sustainable Tourism Advisor, SNV Vietnam Tara Gujadhur, Ecotourism Advisor, SNV Lao PDR

Table of Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1

Background of Mission ................................................................................................................ 1 State of Tourism in Son La .......................................................................................................... 1 Major Government Tourism Policies and Initiatives .................................................................... 2 General SWOT Analysis of Son La Tourism ............................................................................... 3 Stakeholders ............................................................................................................................... 3 Overview of DoTT ....................................................................................................................... 3

CBT Site Assessment ..................................................................................................................... 3 Cultural Villages Around Son La Town ........................................................................................ 3 Moc Chau Ecotourism Site, Moc Chau District ........................................................................... 5 Ngoc Chien Commune, Muong La District .................................................................................. 5

Other Opportunities for Poverty Alleviation through Tourism .......................................................... 6 Recommendations for Intervention ................................................................................................. 6

Next Steps ................................................................................................................................... 9 Proposed Inputs for Son La Provincial Tourism Development .................................................. 10

Annex 1. Terms of Reference ............................................................................................... 12 Annex 2. Agenda of Mission ................................................................................................. 15 Annex 3. Notes from Meetings ............................................................................................. 16

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Introduction

Background of Mission In October 2003, the Provincial People’s Committee (PPC) of Son La invited SNV to attend and make a presentation on Tourism and Cultural Conservation in a workshop organized within framework of the 8th Northwest Cultural Festival taken place in Son La Province. On this occasion, the Department of Trade and Tourism (DoTT) Son La approached SNV for a request for assistance in implementation of the provincial Tourism Development Program for the period 2002 – 2010 as well as building capacity for the provincial Steering Committee for Tourism Development and DoTT itself. As proposed during the trip, SNVVN-TPA portfolio in collaboration with Department of Boundary and Foreign Affair and DoTT Son La organized an awareness raising workshop on February 18, 2004 as the first step in its intervention process in the province. During February – September 2004, SNV and PPC Son La had several discussions, resulting in the signing of the MoU in September 2004, marking the long-term intervention strategy of SNV in the province. An identification mission was then conducted in order to formulate the content of SNV’s assistance project in the province which will meet both client demands and SNV objectives. The mission was conducted from 22 November – 3 December, 2004, with advisory input from N.D.H. Cuong, Sustainable Tourism Advisor, SNV Vietnam and Tara Gujadhur, Ecotourism Advisor, SNV Lao PDR. A translator from the Department of International Cooperation was hired to work with Tara. The Terms of Reference for the mission is in Annex 1, and the itinerary of the in Annex 2. This report documents the findings of the mission, and proposes activities and interventions to support the development of sustainable tourism in Son La province. It is hoped that these recommendations will be used as a basis for formulating working agreements with relevant clients in 2005.

State of Tourism in Son La Son La is a mountainous province located in the centre of north-western Vietnam, 300 km from Hanoi (roughly 7 hours by road) and shares a 250 km border with Lao PDR. To the west of the province is the dramatic mountainous scenery the north-west of Vietnam is famous for, whereas Moc Chau district to the east is known for its highland plateau with a year-round cool climate. The Da and Ma rivers are important features of the province, particularly with the decision to build the massive Son La hydro-electric power plant on the Da, which will dramatically change the current ecological, economic, and settlement patterns. The number of visitors to Son La has increased over years. In 1995 the province received 25,000 visitors (1,800 international) and earned a turnover of 4.83 billion VND. In 2001 it received 71,924 visitors (6,822 international) and earned a turnover of 11.41 billion VND. Average annual growth in the number of visitors is 23.94%, in turnover is 23.97%. In the first five months of 2002 Son La was visited by 32,846 tourists of whom 3,033 were international visitors, and the turnover earned in the period was 4,935 million VND (477 million VND of which came from services offered to international visitors). Currently, Son La operates as little more than a stopover on the way from Hanoi to Dien Bien Phu. Tour groups stay overnight in one of the larger hotels, making a visit to the old French Son La prison and cultural museum before moving on. They may also watch a cultural performance in their hotel, or visit one of the caves or hot springs in nearby villages. However, the stays very rarely extend further than 1 night, and tour operators interviewed mention the poor quality of the facilities, services, and attractions as major limitations.

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Though Son La town itself has a lack of significant historical, cultural or scenic attractions, other than the prison, it is still a necessary stopping point on the northwest Vietnam circuit. Thus, there is potential to develop products outside the town that will provide an incentive for tourists to extend their ‘stopover’ to a ‘stay’, and increase the quality of the hotels and facilities within the town to increase visitor satisfaction. The primary tourism resources in Son La are its ethnic culture (there are 12 ethnic groups in the province) and mountainous environment with hot springs and dramatic scenery. Son La, as part of the northwest, must compete with Lao Cai and Lai Chau (Dien Bien Phu), which are already well-known for their trekking, ethnic minority, mountain scenery, and historical attractions. However, Son La, with its rivers, hot springs, caves, and relatively remote Dzao, Hmong, and Thai communities can provide an alternative to more congested tourist destinations in the region. Further, the Son La hydropower plant planned will lead to a sharp increase in demand for tourism and accommodation for local workers and engineers. Timely planning to develop sustainable pro-poor attractions for this market would be prudent.

Major Government Tourism Policies and Initiatives Policies related to tourism in Son La are somewhat varied – there are numerous decrees focusing on regulatory issues (entry and exit visas, criteria for tourism business classification), then the broad Son La Tourism Programme, Period 2002-2005, and 2010, but little policy in-between. The latter document is a good strategy for the overall direction of tourism development in Son La – it identifies cultural-historical tourism, cultural villages, traditional festivals, and ecotourism as some of the main areas in which the local government would like to focus. A Provincial Steering Committee has been formed to implement the plan, chaired by the VC-PPC and co-vice chaired by the Directors of the Department of Trade and Tourism (permanent standing) and the Department of Culture and Information. The Committee also comprises of representatives from 7 other departments, committees and the media. However, although the programme outlines a positive direction for tourism development, no action plans, implementation strategies or roles and responsibilities have been laid out. Thus, it is unclear how the goals stated will be achieved. Other regulations: • Decree for tourist management and criteria for classification of tourist businesses, with

administrative fines for tourism violations • Circular from VNAT about the conditions for organising tourism businesses, and criteria for

classification • Related circular for providing guidelines for line ministries and sectors on:

o Entrance and exit visas o Declaration of residency details o Keeping the social order and security o Conservation and preservation of museum relics and cultural resources o Environment, food security, and health services o Finance and banking

• Decision for executing the programme on tourism development in Son La from 2000-2010 • Law on cultural heritage • Legislation on the management of foreign travellers in Vietnam • Decree on the management of foreign travellers in Vietnam, in border areas • Legislation on entry and exit visas, sealed by the Standing Committee of the National

Assembly on 28/4/2000 • Decree 21/2001/CP, dated 28/5/2001, for stipulating the implementation of the immigration

ordinance

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• Decision sealed by the PPC 143/2004, dated 16/11/2004 for the management of incoming and outgoing groups (including tourists). Clause C, Item 4.

General SWOT Analysis of Son La Tourism Strengths Weaknesses

• Government motivation to develop tourism industry

• Son La Tourism Development Programme 2002-2005, and 2010 approved by Provincial People’s Committee

• Good infrastructure (communication, roads)

• Son La not viewed as a destination by tourists or tour companies – facilities and attractions are poor

Opportunities Threats • Overnight stop between Hanoi – Dien Bien

Phu • Border crossing between Dien Bien Phu

and Luang Prabang is planned to be upgraded to international checkpoint

• Steering Committee for Tourism Development has already been formed, and meets every 3 months

• VNAT has pledged 10% of state budget allocation in 2005 to remote, mountainous provinces, such as Son La

• Hydropower plant will require 300,000 workers and engineers, providing a new local tourist market

• Hydropower plant and influx of workers pose threat to natural environment and scenery

• Resettlement of communities due to hydropower plant could impact cultural integrity of ethnic minority villages

Stakeholders Cuong

Overview of DoTT Cuong

CBT Site Assessment

Three general sites were visited during the mission, to get an overall picture of the tourism potential of CBT tourism: cultural villages in the Son La town vicinity, Moc Chau Ecotourism Site, and Ngoc Chien Commune, Muong La district. Here, they are briefly described and assessed.

Cultural Villages Around Son La Town There are several cultural villages within a few kilometres of Son La town which and thus an easy stop for overnighting tourists. However, because these villages are close to the town, they also will not satisfy the tourist looking for an ‘authentic’ minority village experience – few of the locals wear traditional dress, and most of the houses are concrete. However, with some marketing and organisation, they have potential to offer cultural performances, short cave tours, and handicrafts to tour groups that will not venture farther into rural Vietnam. Representatives from Bo and Ca villages have been to Lac village in Mai Chau district, Hoa Binh province, a well-formulated and

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marketed cultural village destination, and this activity could be followed up with more long-term training and support. Bo village is well known for Tat Toong cave, which used to be accessible to tourists by boat, but now supplies Son La with water for domestic use and is closed. There is still an open cave adjoining Tat Toong which locals hid in during the war, with a 4-hour route that some local guides take tourists through. The fee for access is VND 2,000 per person, and there is electricity in the cave. 50% of this money goes for ‘village security’ and 50% to the gatekeeper. The village also has a water reservoir among the rice paddies. Bo village has about 70 households, with a population of over 300 Thai minority peoples. Education levels are quite high. The village has a cultural performance group, fees to which are split – 20% for the village fund, 30% for the performance group fund, and 50% for salaries. Two households in the village sometimes take homestay guests, which are primarily domestic tourists. They have no marketing of these facilities – there are just some guides who know that they are available. The village also plans to build a ‘communal house’ made with the traditional house-on-stilts architecture, which could be used for cultural performances. The village is not particularly picturesque, as most of the houses are concrete and the town is nearby. However, the women do wear their hair up in the traditional bun and wear the long black skirts. There is potential to market the village as an alternative for accommodation to Son La town, utilising homestays. The villagers can then offer cultural performances and walks through the cave to visitors. Ca village has 209 households and a population of over 1,000 ethnic Thai people. There is a ‘centre’ on the main road that offers ethnic food and displays local textiles1, but the sign is only in Vietnamese, and only guided tour groups stop. The handicrafts include woven cotton scarves, bags, blankets, and the embroidered Thai head scarves the women wear. The communities need help marketing their products, improving the quality and variety, and need new looms. There is potential to further market and improve the quality of the centre, with tourists able to watch women weaving in their homes. This could then be marketed to tour groups as an organised afternoon activity. Moong village is located 5 km from town and is famous for its hot springs. The hot springs are piped into bathing houses of cement and tile, at a cost of about VND 10,000 per visit. These springs are listed in the Lonely Planet guidebook (as are the Tat Toong caves of Bo village), but the description is not overwhelmingly positive, as western tastes for hot springs lean towards the more natural spa atmosphere. The Trade Union Hotel, which sometimes sends tourists there, has found that foreign tourists are usually disappointed by their visit. However, the springs are very popular with local Son La residents, and are crowded on the weekends. The hot springs have been used since 1993, and drilling and construction of bath houses began in 1998. Seventeen households utilise the hot springs commercially, but only 6 households are members of the hot spring cooperative, paying VND 200,000 per year. There is concern from the Chairman of the cooperative that the hot springs are not managed well, and that the resource could be exhausted. Intervention in Moong could focus on assisting with a community management system for the resource use. It is also possible to train some households on how to upgrade their facilities to meet international standards, and provide funding mechanism to support this. However, as the springs are relatively popular with local residents, it could also simply be marketed further to the domestic market.

1 Our mission was unable to visit the centre as the owner was away that day.

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Moc Chau Ecotourism Site, Moc Chau District Moc Chau is the eastern-most district of Son La province, bordering Mai Chau district in Hoa Binh province. Moc Chau is famous for its dairy industry, and its cool highland plateau climate. There are Thai, Dzao, and Hmong communities in the area, and villages affected by the Son La hydropower scheme are being resettled in Moc Chau over the coming years. The Department of Trade and Tourism has identified Moc Chau as having potential for tourism, due to its topography, distance from Hanoi (4 hours by road), and weather, and has thus designated 500 ha to develop the Moc Chau Ecotourism Site. The beginning point of the area is at Chieng Di village, and the ending point at Km 64 of road No. 6. Total investment capital called for the project is VND 2 trillion, with the following developments planned: • Technical infrastructure, including electricity, water; • Entertainment zone with ethnic food; • Eco-buildings and garden; • Cultural and sport zone; • Conference centre; • Eco-tourism zone; • Traditional village; and • Golf course. Specific tourism attractions within the area would include: • Chieng Di village • Doi cave • Dai Yen waterfall • Bo Nha reservoir • Ang village pine forest DoTT is aware of SNV’s focus on community tourism, and has asked for recommendations on the development, especially with regards to village involvement. Chieng Di village, in particular, is an agricultural village that DoTT would like to orient towards tourism. A Thai village with 197 households and a population of 973, the residents currently have almost no awareness or understanding of tourism (a fact the Head of the village recognises). The architecture is 40% concrete, 60% house-on-stilts, there is limited handicrafts development, and the nearby forest was overexploited and is regenerating. However, they do metal tempering, prepare some traditional food and alcohol, and there is a traditional music performance group (made up of older people). A significant amount of work would be needed to develop the area into an attractive cultural village site. SNV support to Moc Chau could include the awareness-raising, participatory planning, and training of villages within and around the site, and assisting DoTT with integrating pro-poor CBT values into a development plan for the venture.

Ngoc Chien Commune, Muong La District The planned Son La hydropower scheme will be located in Muong La, drastically changing this somewhat underdeveloped and remote district. New roads are being cut and paved, housing for the construction workers is being erected, and thousands of households are being relocated. On the outer edges of this development is Ngoc Chien commune, which is only 60 km from Muong La town, but takes over 2 hours to reach due to the condition of the roads. The access is improving, due to the smaller Nam Chien dam being constructed nearby. Ngoc Chien has roughly 1300 households and 8,000 residents, with an ethnic composition of 70% White Thai, 28% Hmong, and 2% Laha. The area has dramatic mountain and valley scenery, by far the most impressive observed during the mission, and the feeling of isolation is, at least for foreign tourists, most likely a positive factor.

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The Minh Trang company has recognised the agricultural and tourism potential of Ngoc Chien, and has been allocated 3 parcels of land for investment and development, as follows: 1. 619 ha of forest highland allocated in 2004. 1,800m elevation. Economic forestry planned,

with conservation of existing forest for watershed protection. Nam Nghiep village, with 46 households of Hmong, is located in the concession. Minh Trang is currently employing locals to grow Hmong Apple (which the company is fermenting into wine), and plant fruit trees.

2. 1.2 ha with 9 mineral hot springs. 1,100m elevation. Located within Luot village, the villagers currently use the hot springs for bathing, and it is still in a natural state, with little infrastructure.

3. 1.8 ha for flower farm, off-season crops, vegetable production. A pilot flower farm has already been started with assistance from the Ministry of Science and Technology, employing 10 local people.

Minh Trang hopes to develop the hot springs area for tourism, and is talking with a Chinese businessman to look at providing spa facilities. The company is looking for financial assistance, design input into planning of the area, as well as help in training local people to staff the tourism facilities. Other potential attractions, besides the hot springs and ethnic culture, include caves, handicrafts, and treks. Four villages are linked to the area – Phay, Luot, Tau, and Muong Chien 1 and 2. The commune is still heavily forested, with community members using the high-quality Pomu wood for local housing. The owner of Minh Trang Company, Mr. Trung, originally was introduced to the area when his company was harvesting the Pomu wood commercially. The government has since banned such exploitation. Community members also regularly gather non-timber forest products, such as tubers, young bamboo, fruits, and mushrooms. With private sector interest, improved road access, and considerable cultural and natural resources, this area has great potential for sustainable tourism development. However, the nearby dam projects and the influx of new residents could pose a threat. Also, although the Minh Trang Company has already reached out to the local communities and would like to involve them in the planned enterprises, they may need some assistance in facilitating true community participation and decision-making. SNV could assist with a Tourism Management and Development Plan of the area, liaising with local government officials, communities, and the company, and community institution-building and training. There is also potential for piloting a joint venture agreement in the area.

Other Opportunities for Poverty Alleviation through Tourism

Cuong

Recommendations for Intervention

As outlined in the SWOT analysis, there are several strengths and opportunities for tourism development in Son La. Chief among these is the strong motivation of the government departments, as evidenced by their invitation to SNV, cooperation during the mission, and the enactment of the Son La Tourism Development Programme. Further, the interest shown by the private sector and communities when consulted is also encouraging. However, Son La is currently not viewed as a destination for tourists, and will have to develop and market high quality products to compete with the more popular north-western attractions of Sapa and Lai Chau. The most logical point of entry for SNV is supporting the implementation of the Son La Tourism Development Programme. It is recommended that SNV’s capacity-building support and pilot CBT

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experiences be shared within the SLTDP framework. With its agricultural extension and Income and Employment Generation (IEG) programmes in Son La, SNV is also in a good position to provide more broad support to market linkages and tourism supply chains. However, the activities proposed below are not fixed – it is recommended that all Overall Objective: To support the pro-poor implementation of the Son La Tourism Development Programme through capacity-building of government, community, and private sector stakeholders, facilitating market linkages, and piloting sustainable community-based tourism products. Activities: 1. Facilitate the development of 1 to 3 year action plans for implementation of selected portions

of the Son La Tourism Development Programme. a. Work with the Steering Committee for Tourism Development, DoTT and other relevant

stakeholders to prioritise objectives of the Son La Tourism Development Programme, and draw up specific, result-oriented ‘Action Plans’ with concurrence from responsible parties (i.e. regarding training of tourist guides, upgrading of accommodation facilities, CBT development, organising cultural tourism festivals, etc.)

2. Support stakeholder collaboration and capacity-building to implement the action plans.

a. Strengthen coordination mechanisms (communication lines, meetings, joint activities) within the Steering Committee and between other relevant departments

b. Provide training and capacity-building to government staff (Dept. of Boundary and Foreign Relations, DoTT, Dept. of Culture and Information) in planning and implementing sustainable tourism activities

c. Facilitate the provision of training to the PS in improving their services d. Support the possibilities for community-public-private sector partnerships (i.e. in Ngoc

Chien commune with Minh Trang company) 3. Pilot community-based tourism products in tourism development areas identified under the

SLTDP. a. Cultural villages around Son La town

• Development of cultural village regulations, upgrading of standards • Handicraft development, product design, and marketing • Through SNV’s IEG programme, facilitate the supply of local produce to tourist

restaurants and hotels • Support linking with tour operators and promotion to independent travellers • Support community tourism awareness-building and training, and resource

management systems

b. Moc Chau Ecotourism Site • Formulation of Tourism Development and Management Plan • Participatory planning for tourism development • Support sourcing of private sector funds and partnership for specific infrastructure

and developments, within the Tourism Plan

c. Ngoc Chien Commune • Awareness raising and training on tourism • Participatory planning for tourism development • Formulation of Tourism Management and Development Plan • Exploration of Joint Venture Agreement with Minh Trang company • Handicraft development • Promotion to tour companies

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Clients It is envisioned that SNV will work out MoUs with several clients in the province for different activities. However, the main clients will be the Department of Trade and Tourism, Department of Culture and Information, and Department of Boundary and Foreign Relations. Advisory Inputs SNV has a team of flexible tourism advisors based in the northwest of Vietnam, and in early 2005, one advisor will be based in Dien Bien Phu, one in Sapa, and one in Hanoi, who can provide advice throughout the region. The Dien Bien Phu advisor (currently being recruited) will provide primary assistance to the tourism activities in Son La. There are several types of expertise needed to support the development of tourism in Son La. It is anticipated that the Sustainable Tourism Advisor responsible for the project will have the following skills, among others: • Pro-poor tourism planning and development • Formulation of Tourism Development and Management Plans • Stakeholder coordination facilitation • Community institution-building • Tourism awareness training Other expertise needed can be found within the team of SNV Vietnam tourism advisors, within the wider SNV advisory network in Vietnam and the region, or outsourced. There is a team of advisors already based in Son La that work on agricultural extension, market linkages, and income generation, who will be utilised and integrated as much as possible. Other expertise needed, and their possible sources, include:

Expertise Source Year Needed Y1 Y2 Y3

Cultural village regulations SNV advisor, external consultant ! !

Handicraft marketing and development, product design, and marketing

Advisors from IEG programme, external consultant ! ! !

Developing Private-Public Partnerships in tourism SNV advisor ! !

Tourism promotion and marketing SNV advisor, external consultant ! !

Agricultural extension and market linkages Advisors from IEG programme ! !

Financial Inputs Financial inputs for SNV support to the Son La Tourism Development Programme will primarily be operational costs – trips to the field, office support, etc. – and workshops/training, external consultants, and promotional materials. It is anticipated that some small infrastructure support will be needed in the CBT pilot areas. However, it is hoped that private investment will be able to fund this aspect of the tourism development, and that SNV’s advisory assistance will be used to assist in the sourcing of these funds. In Ngoc Chien, the Minh Trang Company will be investing in development of the site, and in Moc Chau, DoTT is calling for companies interested in developing tourism facilities. In the villages around Son La town, smaller investments will be needed for cultural performance

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venues, upgrading of homestay facilities, and handicraft production equipment (i.e. weaving looms in Ca village).

Next Steps Below is a chart summarising the inputs needed for the next 3 years. It is foreseen that SNV’s intervention in Son La will last longer than 3 years, as long-term support will be needed for sustainable tourism development. However, 3 years is an appropriate timeframe for planning based on the current circumstances and needs. However, the recommendations in this report are only that – recommendations. They are based on information gathered during a relatively short period of time. It is hoped that this document will be used as a basis for Sustainable Tourism Advisor responsible for Son La to start work by gathering additional information to amend and further develop this plan.

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Proposed Inputs for Son La Provincial Tourism Development

Activity Tasks Client Advisory Input Timing Financial

Input Y1 Y2 Y3

1. Facilitate the development of 1 to 3 year action plans for implementation of selected portions of the Son La Tourism Development Programme.

a. Work with the Steering Committee for Tourism Development, DoTT and other relevant stakeholders to prioritise objectives of the Son La Tourism Development Programme, and draw up specific, result-oriented ‘Action Plans’ with concurrence from responsible parties

Steering Committee for Tourism Development (PPC, DoTT, DoCI, DoBFR)

Y1. Tourism Advisor, 10 days

!

2. Support stakeholder collaboration and capacity-building to implement the action plans.

a. Strengthen coordination mechanisms (communication lines, meetings, joint activities) within the Steering Committee and between other relevant departments


Y1. Tourism Advisor, 10 days Y2. Tourism Advisor, 10 days ! !

b. Provide training and capacity-building to government staff (Dept. of Boundary and Foreign Relations, DoTT, Dept. of Culture and Information) in planning and implementing sustainable tourism activities


Y1. Tourism Advisor, 20 days Y2. Tourism Advisor, 20 days Y3. Tourism Advisor, 20 days

! ! !

Training and workshops

c. Facilitate the provision of training to the PS in improving their services

DoTT, Training institutions

Y1. Tourism Advisor, 10 days External assistance, 30 days. Y2. Tourism Advisor, 10 days.

! !

Curriculum development

d. Support the possibilities for community-public-private sector partnerships (i.e. in Ngoc Chien commune with Minh Trang Company)

DoTT, Minh Trang Company, Ngoc Chien Commune

Y2. Tourism Advisor, 5 days. Y3. Tourism Advisor, 5 days.

! !

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3. Pilot community-based tourism products in tourism development areas identified under the SLTDP.

a. Cultural villages around Son La town • Development of cultural village regulations,

upgrading of standards • Handicraft development, product design, and

marketing • Through SNV’s IEG programme, facilitate the

supply of local produce to tourist restaurants and hotels

• Support linking with tour operators and promotion to independent travellers

• Support community tourism awareness-building and training, and resource management systems

Dept. of Culture and Information, relevant Commune People’s Committees


! ! !

Awareness-building workshops, promotional materials,

b. Moc Chau Ecotourism Site • Formulation of Tourism Development and

Management Plan • Participatory planning for tourism development • Support sourcing of private sector funds and

partnership for specific infrastructure and developments, within the Tourism Plan

DoTT, DoCI Y2. Tourism Advisor, 20 days Y3. Tourism Advisor, 30 days ! !


c. Ngoc Chien Commune • Awareness raising and training on tourism • Participatory planning for tourism development • Formulation of Tourism Management and

Development Plan • Exploration of Joint Venture Agreement with

Minh Trang Company • Handicraft development • Promotion to tour companies

DoTT, Ngoc Chien Commune People’s Committee


! ! !


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Annex 1. Terms of Reference TOR

Identification Mission to Son La Province By Tara Gujadhur - SNV Laos and Cuong NDH - SNV Vietnam

Background

Son La is a mountainous province, located in the center of North-Western Vietnam, 300 km from Hanoi capital. Tourism resources in Son La is varied with more than 100 places of historical and cultural interest and archaeological relics, many places of scenic beauty with interesting caves and plentiful ecological environment, unique culture of the ethnic groups. Also, the Son La hydropower plant planned to be constructed in coming years would lead to a sharp increase in demand for tourism, accommodation and amusement.

In the past years Son La made a lot of efforts in management and exploitation of tourism resources that resulted in: a master plan for tourism development and detailed planning for a num of tourist spots; a number of investment projects, strengthening of facilities of tourism industry; renovation and effectiveness in operation of businesses. The number of visitors to Son La has increased over years. In 1995 the province received 25,000 visitors (1,800 of which are international) and earned a turnover of 4.83 billion VND. In 2001 it received 71,924 visitors (6,822 of which are international) and earned a turnover of 11.41 billion VND. Average annual growth in the number of visitors is 23.94%, in turnover is 23.97%. In the first five months of 2002 Son La was visited by 32,846 tourists of whom 3.033 are international visitors, and the turnover earned in the period was 4,935 million VND (477 million VND of which came from services offered to international visitors).

With regard to State management in tourism, a Provincial Steering Committee has been formed to implement the provincial Tourism Development Program for the periods 2002-2005 and up to 2010. Cultural-Historical (Cultural Villages) and Ecotourism are identified as priorities in this plan. This Committee is chaired by the VC-PPC and co-vice chaired by the Directors of the Department of Trade and Tourism (permanent standing) and the Department of Culture and Information. The Committee also comprises of representatives from 7 other departments, media and District People’s Committees. In spite of certain positive results from its tourism activities, there remain a number of shortcomings such as monotonous and unattractive tourist products; low quality services; weak financial investment capacity; unskilled and inexperienced labor force and management; low awareness of local community; deterioration of environment and natural resources, etc. In October 2003, PPC Son La invited SNV to attend and make a presentation on Tourism and Cultural Conservation in a workshop organized within framework of the 8th Northwest Cultural Festival taken place in Son La Province. On this occasion, DoTT Son La approached SNV for a request for assistance in implementation of the provincial Tourism Development Program for the period 2002 – 2010 as well as building capacity for the provincial Steering Committee for Tourism Development and DoTT itself. As proposed during the trip, SNVVN-TPA portfolio in collaboration with Department of Boundary and Foreign Affair and DoTT Son La organized an awareness raising workshop on February 18, 2004 as the first step in its intervention process in the province. During February – September 2004, SNV and PPC Son La had several discussions and preparation, and finally came up with signing of the MoU in September 2004, marking long-term intervention strategy of SNV in the province. An identification mission then will be conducted in order to formulate whole the content of SNV’s assistance project in the province

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which will meet both client demands and SNV objectives. Outcomes from this mission will be used to formulate working agreements with relevant partners/ clients in the province, proposed to start implementing in the beginning of 2005.

Objective of the consultancy

1. To conduct an assessment (quick scan) of village CBT and non-CBT development opportunities in the province.

2. To conduct an inventory of existing stakeholders in tourism in the province: govt, private sector, international and NGOs;

3. To assess available capacities and resources in DOTT and other stakeholders, including their horizontal and vertical linkages (multiplication of impacts);

4. To identify needs for capacity building and other supports of DOTT and other key stakeholders in CBT and pro poor tourism (knowledge, skills and attitudes; relationships, resources, systems);

5. To recommend resource mobilization for costs to implement CBT, indicate possible funding sources (government , devt. cooperation agencies);

6. To recommend necessary resources (i.e. expertise, advisory days, committed funding) to undertake this SNV support project.

Specific tasks

1. To conduct an inventory of existing stakeholders in tourism in the province: govt, private sector, NGOs;

- Meet SNV Vietnam MT - Meet VNAT - Meet Boundary and Foreign Relation Department - Meet Immigration Office - Meet Police Office - Meet Cultural Department - Meet Agricultural and Rural Development Department - Meet Planning and Investment Department (WB funded Poverty Alleviation Program) - Meet some tourism related businesses in Son La and in Hanoi to investigate potentials

for mainstreaming poverty in their businesses.

Discussion topics: - Tourism management regulations/ guidelines/ procedures/ policies/ incentives; - International cooperation in tourism and poverty alleviation; - Poverty alleviation programs/ projects/ initiatives; - Ethnic minority cultures and cultural village program; - PS’s interest in CBT/ET products and their current activities in Son La/ Northwest. 2. To assess available capacities and resources in DOTT, including their horizontal and

vertical linkages (multiplication of impacts); - Gather and analyze relevant documents on yearly and periodic tourism activity and

performance reporting, capacities and resources of DoTT. - Interview Director, Vice Director of DOTT; - Interview Head of Tourism Management Section and Planning Section; - Interview a tourism staff of the SNV/PPC Son La multi-department working group; 3. To conduct an assessment (quick scan) of village CBT and non-CBT development

opportunities in the province. - Gather and analyze relevant information and documents on pro-poor tourism potentials in

the province;

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- Gather and analyze relevant information and documents on socio-economic conditions of selected areas with high potentials for pro-poor tourism development in the province;

- Visit selected villages, explore communities’ understandings and expectations from tourism development and make an inventory in CBT/ET tourism assets;

4. To identify needs for capacity building and other supports of DOTT and other key

stakeholders in CBT and pro poor tourism. - Awareness raising and training; - Coordination/ networking/ partnership building supports; - Organizational and institutional development supports; - Financial and material supports. 5. To recommend possible funding sources to implement CBT/ET development initiatives - Investments/ Contributions from local people; - Investments/ Contributions from local tourism related businesses; - DoTT Department’s annual State budget; - Other departments’ annual State budget; - Other development programs’ funds.

Expected outputs

1. Information fact sheets, documents and other materials collected during visiting and meeting agencies and individuals;

2. Visiting and meeting notes; 3. Photos taken during the trip; 4. Mission Reports;

Reporting The Mission Report is expected to be completed and delivered in English before December 31 2004. Main contents of the report will include:

1. Review of general situation and future priority directions in tourism development in Son La, including those relating to local community participation and benefit;

2. Review of role of other stakeholders in tourism development and community development in Son La province;

3. Review of organizational issues of DoTT and its working context; 4. CBT project site assessment; 5. Other poverty alleviation opportunities in tourism development in Son La; 6. Recommendations for technical and financial support needs;

15

Annex 2. Agenda of Mission 21 Nov. Sunday • Tara’s Arrival in Hanoi 22 Nov. Monday. Hanoi • At SNV Vietnam, met with Haasje and Nico from Income and Employment Generation

Programme • Meeting with Mr. Nguyen Van Gia, Deputy Manager, Promotion Department, Vietnam

Tourism • Meeting with Mr. Aidan Reynolds, Marketing Manager, Buffalo Tours • Meeting with Dr. Vu Tuan Canh, Vice Chairman, VNAT 23 Nov. Tuesday. Hanoi to Son La • Travel to Son La by road. Stopped in Lak Village, Mai Chau District, Hoa Binh Province, to

see how their cultural village was set up 24 Nov. Wednesday. Son La • Joint meeting with Son La government officials from Dept. of Trade and Tourism, Provincial

Youth Union, Dept. of Culture and Information, Dept. of Agriculture and Rural Development, Public Police, Dept. of Boundary and Foreign Relations, Provincial People’s Committee

25 Nov. Thursday. Son La • Meeting with Dept. of Trade and Tourism • Field visits to Bo, Ca, and Moong villages around Son La town 26 Nov. Friday. Son La, Moc Chau • Meeting with Mr. Long, Director, Trade Union Hotel • Meeting with Mr. Trung, Director, Minh Trang Company • Meeting with Mr. ________, Director, Son La Hotel • Meeting with SNV Son La staff • Departure to Moc Chau district 27 Nov. Saturday. Moc Chau • Meeting with Mr. Tinh, Director, Trade Union Hotel in Moc Chau • Field visits to Suoi Khem and Chieng Di villages, including meetings with local officials • Return to Son La town 28 Nov. Sunday. Muong La • Field visit to villages in Ngoc Chien commune in Muong La district, site of Minh Trang

development and hydropower scheme 29 Nov. Monday. Son La • Meeting with Dept. of Culture and Information: Mr. Tinh, Director; Mr Hac; Vice-Director; Mrs.

Quyen, Head of Cultural Management Section; Mr. Dat, Vice-Head of Cultural Management Section; Mr. Bao, Head of Administration Section

• Visit to Son La Prison and Museum and meeting with Director 30 Nov. Tuesday. Son La, Dien Bien Phu • Writing up of notes and report • Travel to Dien Bien Phu on way to Sapa 1 Nov. Wednesday. Dien Bien Phu to Sapa • Travel to Sapa 2 Nov. Thursday. Sapa • Writing of Mission Report 3 Nov. Friday. Sapa • Writing of Mission Report 4 Nov. Saturday. Tara’s Return to Laos

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Annex 3. Notes from Meetings Meeting with Mr Gia-VN tourism - Headquarter office in Hanoi: 150 employees, no overseas branch office - 70 State owned enterprises under VNAT - Main market from Europe (65 %):

+ France, Spain, Belgium, Germany + Mass tourist- domestic tourist + Japan, Australia, China/HK-only high ranking

- 2 seasons: 3 months outcoming tourism, 5 months incoming tourism - Products:

+ Classic tour (Europeans: popular) : 17 days + Veterans tours: Australia/US + Mixed cultural, veteran, classic tours + Ecotourism- sport tours with Asia Action Aid and Red Gular: most expensive, special

services + Ecotourism: 2 years ago US Embassy organized seminars on topic of eco-tourism "to

explore and use natural resources, not harm the natural resources" + Ecotour focuses more on sport/: Ba Be focus + Non-motorised equipment

- Branch office is only responsible for operating of tour, not receiving booking - Organization of tour by themselves, no sub-contract - Mixed tour/eco-tour to Sapa/Northwest, Lao Cai - Operation: tour guide, product sale and marketing, promotion - Average length: 7 days: Europeans, 5 days : Japanese - Not receiving pack backers - Average price: 76-100 USD/day - Difference between classic market and mixed tour (contour market: younger under: 40, sport

tour: by group less than 10) - Nature/culture respect, more interest in Vietnam - Joint activities/relationship with local partners (Government, private sector, mass organization

etc) VN tourism in general - No of arrivals is increasing, more than 2 million - Targeted market: China, Japan, Korea - Infrastructure is improving - Mice tour - Weakness: Promotion, training Son La province: - Facilities not very good, no water, no electricity, low service quality - Stopover to DBP and Mai Chau - No more flights, small planes, flights cancelled due to bad weather - Sightseeing is not very good there, museum, small performance around town - Hot springs are small - Trade Union Hotel: also makes tours - Village of performance group (for Trade Union) - Culture and environment are strength of local area - Example from Sapa house selling craft - Homestay developing in Dien Bien Phu is successful - Regional, mainly German --mobile "hotel room" - Viet tourism: Tay Trang border (ecotour)

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Buffalo tour: Aidan - Sapa mostly - Pass through Son La - Topas tour - English speaking, middle-aged/middle income - 10,000 clients: 10 % go to Sapa - Interested in Europe/sustainable tourism - Guides trained in area , education of the clients - no gifts - Part of marketing strategy - Mai Chau: trekking, less commercial, use homestays more than in Sapa - Water Buffalo fund - Possible interest in Son La - + 7-8 days trekking package: Sapa to DBP - + Son La: 1 night, has not been there - Ecolodge idea -gaining in popularity (Topas has one in Sapa) - More trekking, ethnic minorities, but better in term of scenery, less socialization - More community involvement - Present: 1 night stay : Ecolodge (Topas) - ideas can be replicated, accommodation needed (high category) - HN is head office, branch in Danang, HCM, Promphend, Laos (Vientiane is the next two

years)\ - FIT, internet booking, Overseas TA - Customized tours - Run tours for other companies - 5-6 international tours - ST travel Inter /in US - Bottneck : infrastructure road, stop facilities along road (toilet, cafe shop) - Topas, Hand spar - 5-6 months initiatives ideas /investigation Meeting with VNAT Mr Canh, Hung Cuong (ICD) - Submitting the Government for the opening of gate border at this area - VN gains achievement in Poverty alleviation - Poverty Alleviation Fund Step, Korea 5 million - CBT project at Sapa - WTO, SNV project can be linked to Son La project - Other poor areas introduced by VNAT that SNV is going support: Hue, Quang Binh,

Northwest - Other priority policies - Some tourism areas at Northwest area - Rational development of ethnic tourism cultural does not destroy the landscape, involving in

community development, - Sapa is a priority site for tourism, some priority policies for that, investment for infrastructure

to develop tourism - Management of state administration, decentralization of central level and local level , SNV

sending document to provincial and district level so that local authority can settle - Some problems in bordering area; road and regulation of border gate VNAT will coordinate

with other agencies to settle - National action plan : tourism promotion and advertisement Meeting with agencies at Boundary and Foreign Relation Department - Mr Nga: opening the meeting (12 staff) - Boundary and FR de. is assigned by PPC for conducting this meeting - Mr. Binh: Vice director of DOTT

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- Mr Hung: Vice secretary of Provincial Youth union - Mr Hung: vice director of investment - Mr Hac: Vice director of Information and Cultural Services - Mr Hung: Agricultural and Rural Development Services - Mr Co; head of Economic and Foreign Relation - Mr Tien: Trading and Tourism department - Mr Bao: Vie head of Tourism management - Mr Hung: Public Police Services - Mr Phuong: Team leader of SNV advisory Background of SNV activities in Son la, MOU Preparation of SNV project 2005 5 topics: to be discussed Recommendations from Mr Hac: Weaving traditional fabric and culture of indigenous village Bo Village Moong village (more than 100 rooms for bathing) Po village (architecture, statue) Toong village (performance, culture) Chieng Co village( reservoir-bed tourism) Son La Government Consultation Meeting, 24 November 2004 Existing regulations, policies, strategies 1. Decree for tourist management and criteria for classification of tourist businesses, with

administrative fines for tourism violations 2. Circular from VNAT about the conditions for organising tourism businesses, and criteria for

classification 3. Related circular for providing guidelines for line ministries and sectors

o Focusing on entrance and exit visas o Declaration of residency details o Keeping the social order and security o Conservation and preservation of museum relics and cultural resources o Environment, food security, and health services o Finance and banking

4. Local policies o Decision for executing the programme on tourism development in Son La from 2000-

2010 o Focusing on infrastructure, tourism products, and type of tourism

o Conservation programme of tourism resources o Tourism promotion and advertisement o Incentive policy for tourism development in Son La, with strong emphasis on growth, and

priorities for investment 5. Law on cultural heritage

o Conservation programme of cultural tourism in Son La 6. Entry and Exit visas from Public Police Dept.

o Legislation on the management of foreign travellers in Vietnam o Decree on the management of foreign travellers in Vietnam, in border areas o Legislation on entry and exit visas, sealed by the Standing Committee of the National

Assembly on 28/4/2000 o Decree 21/2001/CP, dated 28/5/2001, for stipulating the implementation of the

immigration ordinance o Decision sealed by the PPC 143/2004, dated 16/11/2004 for the management of

incoming and outcoming groups (including tourists). Clause C, Item 4. Tourism Stakeholders 1. Department of Trade and Tourism

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2. Department of Boundary and Foreign Relations, will be transferred into Department of Foreign Affairs

3. Department of Public Police 4. Local authorities at different levels 5. Hotels and restaurants Tourism-related initiatives in Son La • Department of Information and Culture: Conservation programmes for ethnic cultures

o Setting up village cultural performance troupes o Setting up a traditional dress museum o Cultural villages o Traditional handicrafts

• Dept. of Info and Culture: Cultural information development programme until 2005 o Cultural village along Road 6 and Da River

• Provincial Youth Union: Providing training courses on poverty alleviation, for district and commune Youth Union leaders

• District and commune Youth Union teams work for local tourism businesses (i.e. cultural shows, restaurants), but informally, or case-by-case basis.

• Provincial Youth Union and DoTT plan to issue a joint regulation on coordination of tourism activities

• Dept. of Agriculture and Rural Development: Agriculture and Rural Development Provincial Programme (with support from INGOs) o Developing ecological forests and economically productive forests, which could be used

for tourism purposes o Allocation of areas for industrial crop cultivation o Developing agroforestry and ecotourism villages

Main tourism-related resources and attractions in Son La • Existing and Potential Attractions

1. Moc Chau tourism site 2. Chieng Ngan cultural tourism and entertainment site (Son La town) 3. Ecotourism at the hydropower reservoir bed o Tien Phong, Hoa Binh

4. Hot springs, Moong village, Muong La District 5. Ethnic and cultural tourism – 12 ethnic groups in province 6. Son La hydropower scheme 7. Hotel and restaurant system 8. Commercial centres – shopping for traditional fabrics

• Tourism Resources

1. Culture o Ethnic groups o Historical relics o Traditional architecture

2. Climate o Moc Chau highland climate, Muong La mountain climate

3. Landscape o Karst topography, with cave formations, rivers, springs o Highland plateaus, alternating with forests, mountains, and reservoirs

4. Hot mineral springs o Son La town o Muong La district – potential to develop health spa tourism, and CBT

5. Strategic location (way to Dien Bien Phu, Lao Cai, gateway to Laos, China, etc.) • Potential Types of Tourism

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o Based on government direction of socialisation of tourism, CBT can be developed o Ecotourism o Cultural tourism

• Present Situation of Tourism Development in Son La

o 2004 turnover VND75-80 billion o 150,000 tourists in 2004 (10,000 international) o Main markets

o ASEAN, north-east Asia, western Europe, Australia, USA, eastern Europe o National Road 6 will be completed at end of 2004, and will link Hanoi, Son La, north of

Laos, and China o Na Sahn Airport will be completed at the beginning of 2006, and will be able to

accommodation 2-3 flights a day (linking Son La and LP) o Water transport on the Da River o National Road 37 will be upgraded, connection Son La to Phu Tho, Yen Bai, Lao Cai o 60 hotels in province, each have 20-25 rooms, more than 1,200 rooms, and about 2,000

beds o New tourism sites being constructed:

o Government investing in infrastructure at the Moc Chau tourism site, to be completed in 2010, attracting VND2,000 billion by 2015 by PS

o Government calling for an investment for construction of a 150 hectares golf course with 27 holes

o Developing new tour packages, connecting Son La town to hydropower plant and Ngoc Chien village (Thai village) – a 3-day, 2-night tour

o For tourism promotion programme in 2004, DoTT invested VND500 million in construction of billboards and a website, which has been linked to ASEM website and VNAT website

o In 2004, trained 220 tourism sector staff in Son La with VNAT o In 2005, will train 200 more tourism employees

Opportunities and Challenges for Tourism Development in Son La Opportunities • Tourism will create the momentum for socioeconomic development in Son La • Son La is safe and secure area • Tourism will lead to infrastructure development Challenges • Lack of external investment capital, fragmented internal resources • Human resources, particularly lack of managerial and professional skills • Insufficient information and communication resources • Weak tourism promotion • Unprofessional labour force • Slow deployment of project implementation • Lack of training institutions, and existing institutes in Vietnam are not professional • Incomplete legislation Meeting with DoTT, 25 November 2004. Thursday. (Interviewed 2 members of Tourism Management Section: Mr. Thinh, Ms. Ha) Background on DoTT • Established 1993, has 29 staff • 5 sections

1. Planning Section. 5 staff. • Roles: Summarise all activities on tourism and businesses, propose plans and

strategies on a broad scale, but involvement is still limited.

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2. Inspection Section. 2 staff. • Roles: Check/supervise tourism businesses in their adherence to laws and

regulations. 3. Commercial Management Section. 4 staff.

• Roles: Manage markets, provide licensing of petrol and liquid businesses. Cooperate with promotion centre on organisation of international fairs. Issues decisions on new businesses. Not really involved in tourism at all.

4. Tourism Management Section. 4 staff. • Roles: Deploy documents from government for implementation of tourism

development. Propose plans related to tourism tourism. Supply information to and liaise with hotels. License guides. Advertise and promote tourism sector.

5. Administration Section. 14 staff. • Roles: Operating personnel, drivers, support staff, administration, finance.

Cooperates with Tourism Management Section on organising training courses. Tourism Management Section Capacities 1. Mr. Dam/Dao. Head of Section. (2 years at DoTT)

• Assists director • Bkg: Graduated from Trade Univ., former director of Son La Hotel, has attended several

tourism training courses 2. Mr. Tien. Vice-Head. (2 months at DoTT)

• In charge of activities in Moc Chau, guesthouses, hotels, construction, investment. • Bkg: Graduated from Trade Univ., not really background in tourism.

3. Mr. Thinh. Staff. (2 years at DoTT) • Advertisement, promotion, provide orientation/guidelines developing tourism products

and enterprises 4. Ms. Ha. Staff. (3 years at DoTT)

• Receives application from hotels and other tourism businesses for evaluation, licensing for guides. Manage data, information, statistics.

• Graduated from Hanoi Open Univ. in Finance/Accounting, now taking part in tourism professional training course from province.

Capacity-Building Needs • Need training on tourism. Only Mr. Thinh has some background in tourism business

management. • Need assistance on adapting their work to the needs of the sector, as they mostly focus on

tourism business management, and have limited capacity to meet demands of the tourist. • Need help with applying models for CBT management and development. Ecotourism and

CBT have potential, but it’s scattered and not organised. • Coordination and alignment of businesses. • Training for villagers on CBT • Need help in linking existing products to markets • (Ms. Ha and Mr. Thinh do not have information on the implementation of Son La Tourism

Development Programme, and the Committee’s work) Limiting Factors to Tourism in Son La • Mountainous and poor province – limited investment in infrastructure • Low staff education levels • Low quality of tourism businesses • CBT is scattered and spontaneous, communities don’t know how to attract tourists – need to

do training for villagers • Need to cooperate between provinces on north-west region on CBT, link up tourism

businesses Definition of Sustainable Tourism

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• Moc Chau – have company doing “sustainable tourism” • Definition of Sustainable Tourism from Mr. Thinh: to do tourism that explores natural

resources, with regeneration, and makes no change in the culture. Major Stakeholders • Enterprises doing hotels, and big investments • Department of Culture and Information

o For cultural villages, DoTT works directly with the villages. o VNAT and consultants helps DoTT in developing new cultural villages, and the PPC on

communal level. • Public Police Meeting with DOTT Mr Binh, Thinh, and Ms Ha - Hopping to make connection with eco-tourism in northern part of Laos - Traditional handicraft, community activities (similar) - CBT- not develop yet., requires some supports from state, consultancy, tourism business - SNV recommended to develop CBT and eco-tourism as in Luong Pra Bang - Support for capacity building for staff at DOTT - providing training course (Professional) - Visiting and study tour - method of supporting enterprise who are doing tourism business - support of Equipment for tourism business: camera, photographer

Director (1), Vice director (4)

Unit at first level

Personnel & Administration (10) Section

Planning Section (04) Tourism

management section (4)

Business management

section (5)

Inspection section

(2)

Market management department

Information center for tourism and trading promotion (7 staff, 3 Gov. paid salary)

Trading Promotion

bureau

Tourism Promotion bureau

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Relations Fund source: internal and support, comparing to present demand, just meeting 50 % Name Educational level Experience Nguyen Van Binh Bachelor in trading Management of enterprise's trading

Strategy for this sector Training source Management of State owned enterprises

Tourism management section

Pham xuan Dao Bachelor in hotel management (trading University

Business Administration Training State management

Nguyen Van Tien Bachelor in Finance Business Administration State management

Nguyen Van Thinh Bachelor in national economic university

State management

Thu ha Trading % business administration (higher education)

State management

Information center Pham Van Hue Master in trading Business Administration

State management Training

Nguyen Dong Duc Bachelor in Law, foreign language, information

Management of information Trading promotion

Moc Chau tourism site Name of the project; Moc Chau Ecotourism site Total area: 500 ha Position: at Thao Nguyen town

VNAT MOT

DOTT

Provincial Committee of the Party

Provincial People council

Provincial People Committee

District PC

Provincial services & sectors, branches

VNAT-Ministry of Trading belonged bureau, sections,

institutions

NGO, external and internal agencies

Enterprises doing trading

Information center for Tourism &

trading promotion

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Begining point: Chieng Di village Ending point: Km 64th (national road No 6) Total investment capital: VND 2,000 billion Items:

- Technical infrastructure: electricity line, water, embankment - Entertainment zone, and ethnic food - Eco-building and garden - Cultural and sport zone - Area for Conference Center - Eco-tourism zone - Traditional village - Golf course Chieng Di village: - Thai and Muong - Agricultural area is situated in planning area, expecting to do land acquisition

gradually, - Converting : from agri. to tourism Ca Dac village - near Da river - resettlement from Da river reservoir Chieng yen village (Mai Chau) - Hot spring Lac village - Plain: 5 m - 15 m from Chieng Yen - Visitor from Lac village can walk and rest

Minh Trang private company - Mr Trung - project is formulating, covering 29,000 ha - Forestation: 619 h, allocated already by province in June, 2004 - road is expanding, 1700 m - Hot spring, sanatorium, flower garden - Eco-reservoir: from Nam Chien hydro-power - Mong people in Nam Nghiep village: 46 hhs, - growing Meo apple (Son tra) for the company, besides agricultural cultivation - Other provides seed - protected forest - 32,000 litters of red wine made by mr Trung - Tea + Son tra (300 tons in 2003) - Surrounding is primitive forest with wide animal (very few) - Community tourism: semi-agriculture - Ecotourism in primitive forest: crest 3800 m, west edge is Hoang Lien Son range, trail to Van

Chien, : 1/2 day trek - Luong prabang-Sop cop-Song ma-Ngoc Chien-Tham Uyen-Lao Cai-Ha Khau, as economic

triangle of ASEAN, Government has approved for opening the road Ngoc Chien - 9 points of hot spring - Pond, subsidiary land - Priority for training local people to involve in tourism - Scale of consultancy: Construction services formulate the project - Chinese company wants to support for model formulation - SPA from Japanese for the project, supporting 70 % by deferred payments ( in terms of

technological transfer) - more than 2000 roofs made Po Mu wood

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- Luot village's land - Phay village; at the center of the commune - Muong Chien village, Na Tan (flower garden: trial) - recruitment of labor: 10 persons - Weather: >100 C\ - vegetable: producing off-season - Limited fund, borrowing from the bank - Eco-tourism is new concept - Need to train the local people - Orientation: construction of high level hotel and surrounding areas, targeting to the market - Concrete road to villages - Improvement of educational level and hygiene of the local people - Main market: domestic and foreign tourist - Investment on clean water system for Nam village, turning into cultural village - This project is expected to complete in two years, business and exploration are doing at the

same time - Government supports 17 billion VND for flower cultivation, conducted by Ministry of Science

and Technology, and also promises an investment for Ngoc Chien - WB fund (poverty alleviation program) on clean water - The company just use their own fund to do first and the province will reimburse - The company makes an investment on road construction for Ngoc Chien, the province will

find fund Meeting with NGoc Chien commune staff Mr Binh, Mr Trung, mr Chinh, Secretary of Commune Committee of the party - Isolated and far away commune - 8000 persons, 1300 hhs; 3 ethnic groups: White Thai people: 70 %, Mong: 28 %, la ha: 2 % - 21750 ha, 1/4 of land is wet rice; (Muong la: 350 ha of wet rice) - highest elevation: 2000 m (Nam Nghiep village) - Agricutlure and animal husbandry - average income: 1,200,000 VND/year - Price of paddy is low although high yield: 2500 VND/kg of paddy - Hope to convert cropping pattern with highly econonic value, fruit tree, big scale animal

husbandry - No service tourism is found yet - The local people support the authority - Mr trung supports the community to do tourism - also mentioning to tourism at community meeting, - Hoping have market at village - Traditional handicraft: weaving traditional fabric and embroidery - Self-sufficiency, potential for commodity production - Black and White Thai people: different in architecture, arrangement of house, position of

kitchen, (Phay, Luot, Tau, Muong Chien 1 and 1) - Non migration, only staying at home doing cultivation - Ceremony: for entering season, praying ghost , after harvesting, 15th day of January - Each village: 1 performance group, traditional performance, traditional instrument - forest product: tuber, young bamboo, fruit, mushroom,

Trade Union Hotel (Mr Long)

- 1990: founded, 1998: involving in State owned enterprises - belonging to the Union of provincial labor - 2 star hotel, expecting to reach to 3 star hotel; 55 employees - Price: VN: based on the Governmental regime of working (150,00-120,000/day) - Foreign : 15-35 USD including breakfast - International travel: linking with some companies, adventure tour: Nghia Lo, Dien Bien

26

- Some State companies spend 2 nights, generally 1 night; Tulip tour, Ann tour (French as visiting museum, hot spring (Moong village), Son la prison, water cave: not allowed to come in

- Villages around SL town: concrete house - HIn village: very attractive but in performance group : no traditional instrument - Also make performance - Thuan Chau market: 30 km from Sl town, also tourist 's interest, daily operation, dirty, along

the pavement, much ethnic groups gathers, Mong people - Mountain: climbing, viba station can look down (road is constructed by steps), 1 hour for

going to Bo and ca village, - Hot spring in Moong village (1 night) - Ethnic food: Some like but some others don't like, order in advance, (An tour, French tourist) - Tien Phong tour company: package tour (Ann: tour guide) - Complicated tour: as bordering area: permission from Immigrant Department and Public

Police Department, doctor and cooker and police also go together, spending night: Song ma district, Dien Bien

- Nghia Lo-Muong La-Yen Bai (French veteran), blockhouse - Main market: Domestic: combining work and visit (60 %), less tour as high price, so much

tourists in ceremony, (Southern part): 60,000 VNd/night, 30,000 VNd/meal - Foreign tourist: 15- 35 USd/night, 50,000 VNd/meal, most of them eat at hotel), 1 night ,

visiting museum, eating, performance group, morning to Dien Bien: 2 (min), 50 (max) 15-20 (average), 250 French tourists (Lien Hang company)

- Performance group; 20 persons, most of Thai people, long-term contract, not necessary to call groups outside

- 1 staff from hotel : cooking local alcohol, selling to hotel (Lo Thi Hoan, Xa People - Tourist also pay attention to ethnic minority, but also want to visit villages but too far - Community life style; traditional dress - Difficulty transportation, poor infrastructure - Muong Tranh village: pottery, cancelled 20 tourists as raining - No development of tour outside the province - Adventure tour: Da river, Lai Chau, Muong Nhe, darling cafe, rafting tour, only operated in

winter - 4/5 of tour price is allocated to the local people, Hotel's benefit: 10 %, 10 % for tax, creating

benefit for community - Muong la, Moc Chau are potential areas: Ngoc Chien commune (Luot village), hot spring in

Luot village: 46 0C - Bicycle, bus and moto tour:Son la - Moc Chau: plateau weather - Special tours: process takes 3-4 months, inventory, cost estimation, sending to the some

companies that sell tour : 1 year - Scare traditional fabric product - Many plans for investment but impossible due to fund limited as hot spring investment in

Moong village with total fund of 3.5 million USD, suspended cable project, construction of homestay in Moong village

- Borrowing 75 % from the bank, lack of capital, next year: equitization - No orientation for small-scale investment at village tourism, expecting to make friendship with

villages - Around SL town: Hin village, Muong Tranh: pottery, Luot village (Muong la), Noong Lua - In Mai Son district; nice villages but difficulty in transportation - Tourism association; Trade Union also has Club for trade union at national-wide and if DOTT

establishes tourism association in Northwest area for going to Hoa Binh, Lai Chau much better, learning experience from each other

Meeting with Son la Tourism Hotel - Son la has two companies belonging to the State : Trade Union hotel and Son La tourism

hotel

27

- 2 aspects for tourism: tourism (10 years of operation but slow development) and hotel (10 years of operation)

- less historical relics, poor transportation - Village culture: paying attention to and considering as point for development, performance

group, go for show performance - Mong people, Bac Yen, no intervention, pure culture, the district also wants to have fund for

formulating cultural village; road upgrading, making house, culture, traditional instrument - Primitive forest, nice cave, poor infrastructure - Hot spring in Moong village: no foreigner take bath there as not meet the standard - Da reservoir-bed river: combining with Phu yen district to carry tourist to Hoa Binh, Lai Chau - Knitting, embroidery, weaving : not well organized, scattered - 1000 turns of tourist/year: Japan, French, - No support for local people - required demand: training, tuoir guide: good command in English and Vietnamese to

introduce to Tourists, investment for some areas on infrastructure - Tour: Hin village: company cooperates with some villages to keep the house unchanged - Taxoa village (Bac yen district), Moong village - Ecotourism site in Moc Chau : cave - Muong la : Ngoc Chien commune: ecotourism Mr Tinh, Director of Trade Union in Moc Chau Mr Trung, secretary of village committee of the party in Suoi Khem village (Dzao people) - Bamboo garden, accessible road - ceremony for giving a name, welcoming new year in December - 74 hhs, 326 persons, maize: 70 ha, tea 35 ha, selling to middleman: 2,300 VNd/kg - 100 ha of fruit tree (plum, apricot, ginger) - 30 ha of bamboo forest (material for paper plant Bai Bang) - cattle: 3 head/hh for eating - average income 2,5 million VND/year - no cultural house, community house - old person wears traditional dress often, young person in special event - Embroidery (for family using, selling through mid-man, they come there and order), long and

short shirt, scarp, - Bamboo garden for taking young bamboo (7,000 VNd/kg) as site for visiting - Forging sector: producing knife Mr Hao, Vice chairman of Moc Chau PC - Welcome SNVSL - high potential, Moc Chau is identified as center for tourism site (500 ha), national tourism,

include some villages (bat cave , Dai Yem waterfall, pine forest, Ang village: 50 ha, and will be expanded to 100 ha

- Expecting support for developing community culture at some hamlets Mr Suong, head of Chieng Di village - worrying about the conversion from cropping pattern to tourism development - support for job, believe in Government and SNV - Rice, maize, fruit tree, mulberry, animal husbandry - 90 %: agriculture, 170 ha( 100 ha : forest, artificial forest: 70 ha) - 350,000 VND/person/ month - 197 hhs, 973 persons - Less natural resources - Male wears the Kinh dress, Women wears Thai dress daily, - House on stilt: 60 %not well organized in hygiene condition, - road is paved with stone, animal is still left under the house - Thai speaking language

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- Female at > 40; still weaving, embroidery - Traditional fabric: scarf, handbag, coverage of blanket - required demand for support: awareness of tourism - Thai food: Lam rice, local alcohol - Performance: Thai bamboo flute, 10 persons (8 female, 2 male) Working with Information and Cultural services Mr Tinh; director Mrs Quyen: head of Cultural management section Mr Dat; Vice head of Cultural management section Mr Hac: vice director Mr Bao: head of Administration of service - Cultural village: ethnic dress, weaving, architecture, performance group - Orientation for the linkage between Tourism and culture - 12 ethnic groups - Traditional and custom - Their way of lifestyle - House on stilt - Handicraft - The impact of Son la hydro-power: Cultural service is assigned by the province to formulate

tour, site for visiting - Mainstreaming lessens ethnic culture, keeping and developing, accessing modern factor of

ethnic culture of Vietnam and international cultural villages: (1) formulating basis culture and relation, (2) Performance and cultural movement is explored traditionally to serve for the local people and visitors; (3) Keeping custom and tradition and architecture (Project on the conservation of ethnic culture funded by Ministry of Culture and Information, not yet implemented in Son la); (4) Conservation of cultural archaeological and relics including tangible and intangible at reservoir-bed; taking note and moving , rehabilitating; (5) Organization of ceremony( idea for organizing the Tourism-Culture Week)

Mr Hac: - Formulating cultural life at grass root level: formulating cultural family, solidarity movement for

the whole population, helping them to understand deeply the indigenous culture: - 65,433 families are recognized as cultural family (stability economy, no drug dependence,

cultural life at grass root level), - 600 villages are recognized as cultural one (criteria: conservation and exploration of cultural

tradition) - Formulating the performance group of the village (1 group/village) - 1,100 groups for the whole province: performing and developing traditional and ethnic culture

(Xoe, conical, sap dancing managed by Thai people), flute, Khen, two-string Chinese violin (Thai), cong chieng from different ethnic groups.

- Recovering the ceremony: Xe (Muong, Thai), Sa Su Tip (Xi Mum), praying for raining (Kho mu and Thai in Yen Chau), Pa ha (LaHa), worship ghost (Dao), project funded Ministry also did recording

- Project for conservation of culture and tangible and intangible at reservoir-bed of Da river; 6 pre-history, relics from revolutionary resistance, conservation of > 3000 works of Thai and Dao ancient letter at museum, storing more than 15,000 units

- relic: Doi cave (Moc CHau), Moc Ly military post (Ba Hang), Dai Yem waterfall (Moc Chau), Chieng Khoi reservoir (Yen Chau), Tien Phong reservoir (relic from resistance against French colonist), Que Lam Ngu Che cave (around SL town), Tat Toong cave (Bo village), relic of Son la prison, Hot spring in Moog village.

- Ethnic food; Lam rice and chicken grilled - Muong Va waterfall (sop cop) and Muong ba (Thuong Chau) - Stone statue representing volunteer young (cross road of Co Noi) - some historical of local: 187 are continually suggested by province for ranking

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Expectation: - Conservation of traditional villages: Dao + Mong (Moc Chau) - Thai + Kho mu (Yen Chau) - Thai Xi mun (Mai Son) - Thai + Mong (Son la town) - Thai + Mong (Thuan Chau) - Muong + Dao +Mong (Bac Yen) - System of road N6 and Da river needs to link for tourism, no capital for investment, fund for

tourism and culture needs to support - Joint-venture between Luong Prabang and Son La: similar characteristic: writing style (same

family with Pha letter) as (1) the Thai people can see Laos-produced film; (2) House architecture : Laos house : much roofs, also house on stilt, (3) cultural life; dancing and playing

- relation of neighboring: - + Advantage; Viet-Lao opens the border, Son la was assigned by the centre to strengthen the

relation, solidarity to link 2 nations - + SNV will organizes exchanging activities between 2 regions - Handicraft sector - + Weaving traditional fabric, embroidery of scarf (Thai), Union of cooperative has made

experiment at Ca village, embroidery is also kept operating at each family - + Pottery in Muong tranh (also exhibited at Ethnic Museum), Pottery in Hoa lan (burned by

straw) - + Forging, casting (Mong) - +Knitting basket (Kho mu) - Ethnic play : throwing something for exchanging love between young couple; playing top, pa

pao Mong, tug of war, shooting crossbow etc. - Exploration and rehabilitation of traditional singing and ethnic instrument ( course is running).

Cultural and ethnic festival in Son la (Moc Chau): 26/8 to 1/9/2004, also invited Laos members to attend

- Hoping SNV to support for the conservation of handicraft, and turning into commodity production, creation of policy for encouraging.

- Center for Tourism and culture: use center of Culture and information or cultural museum, supporting some material for operation, linked with Laos, mechanism for operation, commitment from this service Cultural activity within the framework of tourism development of the province

- Steering committee: facing difficulty - discussion has been made for the merging of tourism and culture in this program - Culture: researching, formulating document, reporting levels to recognize relics, investing,

rehabilitating for tourism service, data has been collected - Training those qualified staff who are doing in cultural and performance movement for

tourism service, such operation has been done either at Son la town or remote and isolated area

- Giving ideas with related agencies on architecture and construction for tourism service, keeping cultural identity

- Expectation from SNV support: experience construction of cultural and ethnic village (Thai, mong dao)

- Other partner and program supported; non - Planning and strategy for development by the year 2015, document, data relating to the

formulation of cultural villages and families, regulation - the province supported each commune 50 million VND for cultural village construction in

2000, each performance group VND 1 million - 364 villages : difficulty - Regulation for formulating and recognizing cultural village

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The Steering Committee of the province - Each member is involved in each sector, busy - outside the management of 2 sectors: tourism and culture - more strictly in conduct: role of the director - support experience and fund - formulating the program for study tour; tourism and culture - identification for plan and investment in accordance with each year's plan Conclusions - Welcome - expecting opportunity to receive support - Linkage between Son la and Laos - Hoping Tara come back with project

Documents

Son La Mission Report - mekongtourism.org · SNV’s assistance project in the province which will meet both client demands and SNV objectives. The mission was conducted from 22 November