TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................. i
ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................ iii
LIST OF TABLE ........................................................................................................ iv
LIST OF FIGURE ....................................................................................................... v
ACKNOWLEDGMENT............................................................................................. vi
ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................ 1
CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 2
CHAPTER II. OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH ..................................................... 4
2.1. Definition of Ecotourism....................................................................................... 4
2.2. Current situation of ecotourism development in Vietnam. ..................................... 5
2.2.1. The development of ecotourism in Vietnam ....................................................... 5
2.2.2. The limitations in the development of ecotourism in Vietnam: ........................... 7
2.3.3. The role of the community in ecotourism activities ............................................ 8
CHAPTER III. GOAL AND OBJECTIVES .............................................................. 12
3.1 Goal ..................................................................................................................... 12
3.2 Objectives ............................................................................................................ 12
CHAPTER IV. METHODOLOGIES......................................................................... 13
4.1. Study area: .......................................................................................................... 13
4.1.1. Natural condition ............................................................................................. 13
4.1.2 Natural resources .............................................................................................. 15
4.1.2 Economic - Social conditions ............................................................................ 18
4.2 Methods ............................................................................................................... 20
4.2.1. Second data Methods ....................................................................................... 20
4.2.2. Survey Method ................................................................................................. 20
4.2.3 Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA) ................................................................ 21
4.3 Process of research............................................................................................... 22
4.3.1 Questionnaires .................................................................................................. 22
i

4.3.2 Interview ........................................................................................................... 22
4.3.4 Direct observation ............................................................................................. 23
4.3.5 Analysis method ............................................................................................... 23
CHAPTER V: RESEARCH RESULTS ..................................................................... 24
5.1. Overview of respondents ..................................................................................... 24
5.2 Current situation of ecotourism in Tam Dao National Park .................................. 25
5.2.1 Visitors ............................................................................................................. 25
5.2.3. Infrastructures .................................................................................................. 27
5.4. The current situation the participation of local communities in ecotourism ......... 29
5.4.1. Local participation in the planning process of ecotourism in Tam Dao National
Park ........................................................................................................................... 29
5.4.2. The participation of local communities in ecotourism activities ....................... 30
5.4.3. The benefit of ecotourism to local communities ............................................... 32
5.4.4. Local peoples' desires:...................................................................................... 33
5.4.5. The attitudes of local communities the impact of eco-tourism .......................... 34
5.5. Factors limiting the participation of local communities in eco-tourism................ 39
5.6. Solutions for increasing the participation of local people in eco-tourism activities
in Tam Dao National Park. ........................................................................................ 40
5.6.1. Economic solution ........................................................................................... 40
5.6.2. Education - training solutions ........................................................................... 40
CHAPTER VI. CONCLUSION ................................................................................. 43
CHAPTER VII. RECOMMENDATION ................................................................... 44
REFERENCES
APPENDICES

ii


ACRONYMS

Tam Dao National Park

TDNP

National Park

NP

Nature reserve

NR

Participatory Rural Appraisal

PRA

Rapid Rural Appraisal

RRA

iii


LIST OF TABLE

Table 2. 1 The number of tourists to Vietnam in the period of eight years.................... 6
Table 4. 1 The flora composition in Tam Dao ............................................................ 16
Table 4. 2 The fauna composition in Tam Dao ........................................................... 16
Table 4. 3 The Poverty of the region in Tam Dao National Park in 2006.................... 19
Table 5. 1 The age categories in field survey ............................................................. 24

Table 5. 2 Current of tourist visiting Tam Dao National Park .................................... 26
Table 5. 3 The reasons for the establishment of the Tam Dao National Park .............. 29
Table 5. 4 Survey results of local people on the time of establishment and the time of
tourism activities in Tam Dao National Park .............................................................. 30
Table 5. 5 The ratio of the types of people's relations with tourists ............................ 32
Table 5.6: Survey results of community attitudes and attitudes towards tourism impact
on the region .............................................................................................................. 37
Table 5.7 The Average score .................................................................................... 38

iv


LIST OF FIGURE

Figure 4. 1 Map of Tam Dao National Park ............................................................... 13
Figure 5. 1 The distribution of responders by age groups ........................................... 25
Figure 5. 2 Tourist structures to Tam Dao National Park by months in 2018 .............. 26
Figure 5. 3 The participation of local communities in tourism activities..................... 31
Figure 5.4 Benefits of tourism activities in Tam Dao National Park to local communities..... 33

v


ACKNOWLEDGMENT
First of all, I am grateful to teachers of Vietnam National Forestry University for
supporting us to complete this research. I am deeply indebted to our supervisor Dr. Ngo Duy
Bach who always supported us and gave motives and suggested valuable ideas to help us to
accomplish this thesis. I would like to acknowledge all the members of the Experiments and
Practicing Center of Forest Resource and Environment Management Faculty for facilitating
necessary equipment and providing us documents. I take this opportunity to record our sincere

thanks to all the members of the Faculty of Forest Resource and Environment Management
for their help and encouragement. Thank Tam Dao National Park, Vinh Phuc province
management and local people for helping us during our researching time Tam Dao Town,
Vinh Phuc province.
Hanoi, September …th, 2019
Hoang Xuan Khoa

vi


ABSTRACT
This study aimed at researching the community participation in ecotourism at Tam Dao
National Park in Tam Dao town, Vinh Phuc Province. A qualitative exploratory study was
conducted in visitors and the local communities interview questionnaire survey. The findings
showed that: (1) Community participated as responses to call to action and got paid for their
participation. They gave ideas for development planning, but the National Park Management
Board reserved the right to make decisions. (2) Four variables related to community
participation included age, culture exchange, literacy, and residence period. (3) Local
residents held positive attitudes towards tourism because of benefits is created by tourism. It
was the participants who had more positive attitudes and understandings than nonparticipants. This is the basis for proposing some solutions towards sustainable tourism
development at Tam Dao National Park.
Keywords: eco-tourism, community, Tam Dao National Park, tourism development

1


CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION
In recent years, tourism has become an economic pillar for a large number of developing
economies and Vietnam is no exception (Duy, 2014). Especially, Vietnam is a country where
has many National Park (NPs) and attractive natural landscapes are attraction domestic and

foreign tourists. Besides, the abundance of nature and the diversity of the ecosystem is a
potential and favorable factor for developing many types of tourism, especially ecotourism.
Ecotourism is a form of tourism widely considered as an opportunity for local people to
derive positive socio-economic benefits from tourism development whilst conserving forests
(Ishmael Mensah, Adofo Ernest, 2013). The local community contributes their knowledge,
experience, lifestyle, nature protection and participation in tourism. Therefore, the local
community participation (LCP) is considered an important factor in sustainable tourism
development, particularly in ecotourism. (Hanh, 2016).
Tam Dao National Park was established on the 24th of January 1997 in accordance with
Prime Minister Decision No.41TTg (MARD 1997) is located in the area of 23 communes of 5
districts (Tam Đao, Vinh Phuc, Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen) and Tam Dao Township. There
are an estimated 1.282 different species of flora with numerous beautiful flowers including
species such as Dendrobium daoensis and Dendrobium longicornu that has a nice and lissom
trunk and species in the family of Theaceae such as Camellia sp., Rhododendron sp. and the
307 species fauna. Otherwise, the attractive famous cultural and historical resources attract
thousands of domestic and foreign tourists to visit here (Bo, 2010). Having available
resources for developing ecotourism but the standard of local communities lived in National
Park has not high and affects their livelihood. Since the establishment of a national park
located in the buffer zone, there is limited hunting and exploitation of forest resources. In
order to compensate for these disadvantages, many police and project for targeting improve
the quality of life people have been implicated, but it not efficiency for local communities

2


based on conservation objectives. Even national park is developing tourism projects that bring
benefit to local people, the projects are not large and still does not support much in the
development of the local community economy. Community involvement in the development
of ecotourism is a very important factor. But the fact that the participation of people in
ecotourism activities of limited and passive, spontaneous.

Studies on local communities’ participation in ecotourism are quite popular, but there are
still many issues to be further discussed by the dominant factors to community participation.
In order to consider the role, current situation and the factors limiting the participation of local
communities in sustainable ecotourism development Tam Dao National Park, based on which
proposed solutions to improve these communities' participation in sustainable tourism
development

and

community sustainable

development.

Therefore,

studying

“The

Participation of Local Communities in Ecotourism Activities in Tam Dao National Park” is
necessary.

3


CHAPTER II. OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH
2.1. Definition of Ecotourism
Ecotourism is changing and has become popular for people who love nature, it stems
from the concern about the environment, economy, and society - one of the challenges in
order to pay debts to the environment fuel and increasing the value of the NR remaining.

Ecotourism is a relatively new concept and is rapidly attracting the attention of many
people working in many different fields. This is a broad concept is understood in different
ways from different angles. For some people, ecotourism is simply "ecology" and "tourism".
Thus, with this approach, all activities of tourism-related to nature such as swimming, hiking
... be construed as ecotourism.
Ecotourism is based on natural landscapes and outdoor tourism activities. Some
perspectives are the type of ecotourism benefiting the ecological system, less negative impact
on the existence and development of the ecosystem, the site of the tourist activities. Other
reviews also said that green tourism, tourism for the environment ... like ecotourism.
Ecotourism is a type of tourism to create a harmonious relationship between humans
with nature, promoting a sense of human responsibility for environmental protection. The
development of ecotourism is becoming the trend of sustainable development of tourism in
our country in particular and the world in general.
In addition to the concepts and definitions that have some broader definition of the
content of ecotourism: “Ecotourism is a type of tourism taking particular ecosystems,
naturally object to cater for guests who love nature, excursions, enjoy the scenery or the study
of ecosystems. It is also combined form tight, harmonious economic development of tourism
with the introduction to the beauty of the country as well as educational outreach and
protection and development of the environment and natural resources in a sustainable " (Le
Huy Ba, 2000).

4


“Ecotourism is traveling to relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated natural areas
with the specific objectives of studying, admiring and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants
and animals, as well as a cultural manifestation (both past and present) found in this area. "
(Ceballos-Lascurain H., 1997)
One of the often-quoted definitions was by The Ecotourism Society (TES) (now is
The International Ecotourism Association (TIES) in the United States. TES defined

ecotourism around 1994 as “responsible travel to the natural areas which conserves the
environment and sustains the well-being of local people” (Deng, J. Y., King, B., & Bauer, T.,
(2002).)
“Ecotourism is a type of tourism based on nature and local culture associated with
environmental education, can contribute to conservation efforts and sustainable development
with the active participation of local communities" (The definition of ecotourism in Vietnam).
So far the concept of ecotourism is still understood from many different angles, with
different names. Although there have many different definitions of ecotourism and many
arguments to find out the general defined for ecotourism, the majority of leading ecotourism
experts said that ecotourism is a form of nature-based tourism that supports conservation
activities and is developed and managed by a sustainable way. Besides, the element of
ecotourism must be combined the concerned with nature and the environment, and social and
community responsibility.
2.2. Current situation of ecotourism development in Vietnam.
2.2.1. The development of ecotourism in Vietnam
Vietnam has had some investment steps to diverse types of tourism such as tourist
resorts, tourist expeditions, cultural tourism festivals, sea travel, green tourism (tourism
country), especially focus on ecotourism development.

5


The government has gradually upgraded some NR into the NP to attract foreign
investment and visitors at home and abroad such as Bach Ma (1991), Tram Chim (1998), Cat
Ba (1991), Nam Cat Tien (1992). At the same time, the government also rearrange NR to
enhance ecotourism.
In recent years, tourism to discover nature experiences has become a trend. Therefore,
tourism has been an industry with a clear orientation of resources (Pirojnik) which is
concerned by the government to invest in conservation and social development. According to
Vietnam tourism, the number of tourists in 1994 reached 1 million, was about 1 year ago and

exceeding the plan forecast of the World Tourism Organization 6 years. Since 1990 the
number of tourists has maintained a high growth rate of 2 numbers (annual average of 20%).
International tourists increased 11 times from 250,000 respectively (1990) to approximately 3
million (2004). Domestic tourists increased by 14.5 times, from 1 million (1990) to 14.5
million (2004). In Vietnam, the number of people traveling abroad is increasing every year
over one thousand people.
Table 2. 1 The number of tourists to Vietnam in the period of eight years
Target

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

International visitors

5.0

6.0


6.8

7.5

7.8

7.9

10

12.9

Domestic visitors

28

30

32.5

35

38.5

57

62

73.2


(Source: )
Tourism development has contributed to increasing the share of GDP of the tourism
industry in the service sector of the total national income. The development of tourism
activities also produces possibilities for consumption on-site for goods and services, promotes
the development of other industries; restores many festivals and traditional crafts; contributes

6


to promoting economic restructuring and each local country, increases income, reduces
poverty and get rich, expands exchanges between the regions in the country and abroad.
Based on the statistical data, tourism activities have created jobs for more than 234,000 direct
employees and about 510,000 employees of various strata of the population, especially
women and young people.
Tourism activity has generated revenues for embellishment and restoration of
monuments, heritage and raised awareness, a responsibility to preserve and to develop
cultural heritage tangible and intangible; restore festivals, traditional villages, transmit
cultural values to the classes of people and international friends ... create a more attractive
tourist attraction. Travel through the different socio-economic sectors of development; open
markets of goods and services to other industries, promote commercial activities and bring
high efficiency to form spot export through tourism.
However, there are certain difficulties for ecotourism in Vietnam.
2.2.2. The limitations in the development of ecotourism in Vietnam:
Although ecotourism is seen as a form of tourism characteristics, it has the potential to
be preferentially developed in the strategy of tourism development Vietnam entering the 21st
century, but until now the development of this form of tourism there are many limitations.
Some restrictions, such as:
- In the construction NR areas for each function is not clear, in particular. Lack of
professional human resources, management, sometimes a lack of protection.

- Lack of investment in the country and abroad for the planning of tourism projects
and the formulation of forest ecosystems in the area of ecotourism. Investments in
development for the preservation and care of ecotourism destinations are not on par with the
assigned tasks.

7


- Lack of industry consultants to call for investment and development, scientific
research and scientific organizations at home and abroad to cater to the conservation and
development of forest ecosystems and ecotourism activities.
- People with low literacy levels, poverty and backwardness, and difficulty for forest
protection and development of ecotourism. Planning and tourism development without
disrupting the natural landscape is not currently concerned about the harmful effects later.
- Finally the active form of this type of tourism has only meant to visit, enjoy the
environment to regenerate health, few achieve significant awareness-raising and education for
travelers responsible for the preservation of the value of the natural environment, conservation
and promotion of indigenous cultural values, as well as not bring real value to the community
benefits.
2.3.3. The role of the community in ecotourism activities
Currently, local communities in tourism activities, especially with ecotourism very
important and indispensable. With cultural identity oldest and understanding rich in natural
resources, this is definitely the resource tourist attractions and equally important contribution
to the development of ecotourism and travel.
2.3.3.1. The general theory of the role of the community in the development of ecotourism:
First of all, apart from the attractive natural for tourists, the local community also play
an important role in attracting tourists to the main elements of socio-culture, including:
- Traditional custom.
- Local history and the cultural and historical heritage.
- Architecture.

- The local cuisine.
- Traditional crafts.
- Art, music.

8


- Apparel - culture – traditions.
Among these factors, 5 elements tend to be tourists deemed more important. Although
ecotourism visitors are more interested in the natural environment, they can not eliminate the
desire to visit, understanding cultural issues - the social local community. Add to that the
local will be the place to meet the needs of customers such as accommodation, facilities,
entertainment facilities, essential services, and human resources service. The local community
is a large part engaged in ecotourism.
Ecotourism development must consider issues of economic benefits, the environment,
culture, and community. Such new people is really a department involved in ecotourism
activities efficiently and effectively, at the same time add to the rich diversity of ecotourism
products.
The development of ecotourism projects in the park today is emerging as a powerful
tool for management and conservation. People enjoy many benefits from this project, but to
ensure conservation purposes requires the project design must be very careful so that the
benefits are given to the right audience to be able to promote a maximum of its positive
effects.
2.3.3.2. Situation participation of local communities in ecotourism activities
There are hundreds of points of ecotourism in the world, but only a few succeed on
both goals for community development and protection of the natural environment.
Two development projects conserving synthetic Annapurna sanctuary in Nepal and
reserves Momarch Overwinter Butterfly in Mexico showed a number of challenges during the
implementation of this project. Annapurna's case of reflecting one of the better examples of
careful attention to the design and implementation of the project; Momarch case illustrates the

difficulties encountered in attaching ecotourism with local development.

9


Annapurna Sanctuary in Nepal covers a large area with geographic location
noticeable. Every year over 30,000 tourists come here to picnic on the Himalayas and enjoy
the diversity of local cultures. A large number of tourists is a reason for many local people to
build many motels and restaurants, bring more income. Tourism has become important to the
local economy, but it also led to some serious environmental problems. Forests have been
felled to make fuel for cooking and heating, the expansion of agriculture, water pollution,
poor sanitation, and garbage on the roads picnic are growing rapidly, adding that population
increasing.
Project Sanctuary Annapurna has been established to mitigate the negative impacts of
tourism and enhance the conservation and socio-economic development of the region. A
portion of the profits is used for local development. The involvement of local consists of a
management committee of rest, recover committee forest management to be responsible for
implementing the decisions of forest protection, sanction those who deforest and control the
logging. The result is that deforestation has decreased significantly, the trail is maintained and
the local population is increasingly more active against the resource.
The involvement of local communities in the activities of ecotourism in the NP in
Vietnam so far is still at a low level, the community has mainly involved in a number of
phases is not important, benefit economically not often regular and precarious, and this form
of participation is almost spontaneous nature comes from the law of supply and demand of the
market mechanism.
Recognizing the important role of the community in the development of sustainable
tourism, many models of tourism development with the participation of the community has
been encouraging the development at the local level, especially in the key tourist tourism,
where tourism vibrant place with many opportunities for the community. Form of


10


participation in tourism activities and ecotourism most popular and current principal of the
community include:
- Provision of catering services, sale of souvenirs and local specialties to tourists. The
involvement of the community is increasingly expanding, attracting more and more crowded
community participation, help strengthen livelihoods and improve the lives of people where
the tourist activities.
- Transportation of tourists, especially by boat, in many places, such as natural
heritage Ha Long Bay, the scenic landscape of Tam Coc - Bich Dong, Ba Be NP, Tram Chim
NP, Phu Quoc NP ... also is one of the common forms and growing today, on community
participation in tourism activities. Transportation of tourists is one of the common forms of
community participation in tourism activities.
- The type of tourist staying in a homestay is the type of tourism to attract the attention
of tourists and initially successful development in some localities such as Sapa, Ba Be, and
Vinh Long, Tam Dao …

11


CHAPTER III. GOAL AND OBJECTIVES
3.1 Goal
To research the participation of local communities in ecotourism in Tam Dao National
Park and propose some solutions for improving the participation of local communities.
3.2 Objectives
 To assess the current situation of participating in tourism in the area.
 To determine the participation of local communities in tourism activities in the area.
 To identify the limitations, make the less of participation, promote the participation
of the community in tourist activity in the area.

 To propose solutions to promote the participation of the community in the
development of tourism in the area

12


CHAPTER IV. METHODOLOGIES
4.1. Study area:
Tam Dao National Park

Figure 4. 1 Map of Tam Dao National Park
Source: Duong Dang Khoi, and Yuji Murayama (2010)

4.1.1. Natural condition
4.1.1.1 Geographic location
Tam Dao NP is located with the geographical coordinates from 20º21' to 20º 42'
North latitude and from 105º 23' to 105º 44' East longitude with a total area of 36,883 ha. Tam
Dao National Park is located in Son Duong district, Tuyen Quang province, Dai Tu district,
Thai Nguyen province, and Lap Thach, Tam Dao and Me Linh districts, Vinh Yen province
about 90 km north of Hanoi, in Vietnam.

13


The National Park is located in the area of 23 communes of 5 districts (Tam Đao, Vinh
Phuc, Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen) and Tam Dao Township. The area of the park is 36.883 ha
including:
- Strictly protected zone: 17200ha on the altitude at over 400m.
- Restoration zone: 1728 ha
-


Tourism zone: 2302ha

- Buffer zone: 15.515ha
- The administrated area that is located at km 13 on the way to Tam Dao Township
4.1.1.2 Topographic
Tam Dao is the last part of the bow-shaped range of mountains upstream of the Chay
river. Mountain tops of Tam Dao are pointed with steep slopes. The terrain is splinted up
deeply and densely by numerous mountainsides. All streams in northeast mountainsides flow
into the Cong River to create the Dai Tu watershed. In southwest mountainsides, streams flow
into the Pho Day river. Tam Dao including 20 peaks that join to create a steep mountainside is
a wall that protects the plain from the northeastern winds. The highest peak, Nord, is 1,529 m
above sea level. There are also 3 other peaks: Thien Thi (1,375m), Thach Ban (1,388 m), and
Phu Nghia (1,300m). The name Tam Dao (three islands) comes from the fact that when
viewing from a distance, these 3 peaks look like 3 islands of vegetation cover of the vast
natural forests. The slope gradient here averages 26 - 350.
The terrain of Tam Dao is divided into 4 main categories:
 Valleys between mountains and plains along banks of rivers and streams. This type
of terrain has an elevation of 100 m and under, and slope of under 70. This type of terrain was
noticed at the base of mountains and banks of rivers and springs.
 Medium hills have an elevation of under 100-400m. The slope is at level 2 and over.
This terrain is found around the base of the mountain adjacent to the plains.

14


 Low mountains have an elevation of under 400 - 700 m. The slope is at level 3 and
over. This terrain is found in the area between high hills and medium mountains.
 Medium mountains have an elevation of over 700 m. This type of terrain is found at
high parts of the mountains with steep mountainsides

4.1.1.3 Soil type
The main soil type of the area is an acrisol in the northern mountainous areas, which
is characteristic for the uplands and highlands of Vietnam (100–1000 m above sea level) and
is derived from the decomposition of various rock types.
4.1.1.4 Climate
Tam Dao experiences a tropical monsoon climate. The average temperature in Tam Dao
NP is 20–22°C, and absolute recorded temperatures range from a minimum of 0°C to a
maximum of 33°C. The average annual rainfall for the area is 2630mm, more than 90% of
which is received during the rainy season, from June till September. The average humidity of
the area is 87%, the average evaporation rate is rather low, 2800 mm per annual. During the
dry season, rainfall and humidity at higher elevations can be very low, making these areas
susceptible to a forest fire.
4.1.1.5 Hydrological
Tam Dao National Park lies within the catchment of two major rivers: the north-east
face of the massif lies within the catchment of the Cong river, while the south-west face lies
within the catchment of the Day river. Most of the streams and rivers in the national park are
steep and fast flowing...
4.1.2 Natural resources
4.1.2.1 Forest vegetation
Tam Dao National Park has 904 upper plant species belonging to 478 genera, 213
families. According to the Vietnamese Redbook (on flora), 1996, Tam Dao National Park has

15


64 species that are listed as rare and precious. Among these, there are 7 species of level E
(Endangered), 9 species of level V (Vulnerable), 23 species of level R (Rare), 11 species of
level T (Threatened), and 14 species of level K (Insufficiently Known), 42 endemic plant
species.
Table 4. 1 The flora composition in Tam Dao

Class
Lycopodiophyta
Equisetophyta
Pinophyta
Mangoliophyta
Total

Family

Genus

Species

1
1
7
182

1
1
7
442

2
1
12
832

191


451

845

There have some species listed in Red book at level Rare and Valuable flora such as:
Fokienia hodginsii, Polocarpus fleuryi, Chukrasia tabularis, Erythrophlocum fordii,
Rhoclodentron simmi, Madhuca pasquieri, Podocarpus nerlifolius and 42 species endemic to
Tam Dao National Park including Dendrobium daoensis, Camellia longicaudata,Camellia
petelotii, Asarum petelotii, Molas tamdaoensis, and Paris delavayi.
4.1.2.2. Fauna
Tam Dao National Park has recorded 840 species of animals including 64 species of
mammals, 240 species of birds, 75 species of reptiles, 28 species of amphibians and 434
species of insects.
Table 4. 2 The fauna composition in Tam Dao
Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Animals

8

25


48

64

Birds
Reptile
Amphibians
Insect

15
2
3
8

50
14
7
48

140
46
11
271

239
75
28
434

38


144

516

840

Total

16


A number of the amphibian species recorded at Tam Dao were assessed as globally
threatened during the Global Amphibian Assessment, including Theloderma corticale, T. gordoni
and Vietnamese Salamander Paramesotriton deloustali (IUCN-SSC and CI-CABS, 2003)
Tam Dao National Park also supports some of the highest levels of recorded insect
diversity in Vietnam (Anon., 1991). Although, again, this may partly reflect the high levels of
survey effort at Tam Dao compared with other sites.
Tam Dao National Park qualifies as an Important Bird Area because of its importance
for the conservation of biome-restricted bird species. In particular, the site supports a number
of biome-restricted species that are known from few other sites in Vietnam, such as Bluenaped Pitta Pitta nipalensis, Purple Cochoa Cochoa purpurea, Chestnut-headed Tesia Tesia
castaneocoronata, Pale-footed Bush Warbler Cettia pallidipes and Greater Rufous-headed
Parrotbill Paradoxornis ruficeps (Tordoff, 2002).
4.1.2.3 Forest types
Tam Dao National Park has 5 forest types:
1. Closed evergreen tropical rain forest: extending at altitude up to 800 m. As affected
by slope, this type of forest can be noticed at the altitudes 900 - 1,000m. Many precious
timber species of high economic value can be found here, such as Shorea Chinensis, Michelia
tonkinensis, Cinnamomum spp. and Pavviesia annamensis.
2. Closed evergreen sub-tropical rain forest on low mountains is distributed at

altitudes over 800m. Plant species here belong to the families of Lauraceae, Fagaceae,
Theaceae, Magnoliaceae, and Hamamelidaceae. High relative humidity creates good
conditions for mosses and lichens to grow. At altitudes over 1,000m, species in the phylum
Polycodiophyta such as Podocarpus brevifolius, Nageia neriifolius, Forkienia hdgginsii, and
Amentotaxus argotaenia, etc, can be found.

17


3. Low-tree forest on mountain peaks is a sub-type of closed evergreen sub-tropical
rain forest on low mountains. This forest forms on steep slopes of mountains frequently
covered by a cloud which also experience strong winds. In this forest, timbers are small in
size with twisted trunks. The soil layer here is thin but covered by a thick layer of decaying
plants (in some places such as Rung Rinh peak, this layer can be 1 m thick). Plant species
here include M. faveolata, Illicium grifithii, medicinal plant species, and species in the family
Ericaceae.
4. The bamboo forest is restored forest following shifting cultivation or exploitation.
Bamboos grow interspersed with timbers that have been cut down. In some areas, bamboo
grow stronger than small timbers providing a pure stand of bamboo forest. The dominant
species at altitudes under 500 m is Neohouzeana dullosa, from 500 - 800m. Dendrocalamus
sp. prevails and over 800 m, Arundinaria giffithiana and Adrundinaria sp. are the dominant
species.
5. Restored forest following shifting cultivation, includes sun plants that grow fast,
such as, Mallotus apelta, Macaranga denticulata, Breyria fruticosa, Aporasa chinensis,
Xylopia vielana, Symplocos sp., and Litsea cubeba
4.1.2 Economic - Social conditions
4.1.2.1 Population and labor
According to the survey in the year from 2008 to early 2009, the buffer zone of Tam
Dao National Park has 23 communes that belong to 6 districts of 3 provinces (Vinh Phuc,
Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen) with the population of 201,971 people and includes 45,526

households. People living in this area can be divided into 2 groups: Kinh People group (63%),
and minority ethnic group including San Diu, Muong, Dao, Nung include 7 ethnics minorities
are San Diu, San Chi, Dao, Tay, Nung, Cao Lan, Hoa and Ngai (37%).

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4.1.2.2. Economic situation and poverty:
Results of the 2006 survey by Management of Tam Dao NP and Buffer (TDMP) with
the support of GTZ foundation (Germany) conducted the investigation on the situation of
poverty in the Tam Dao NP buffer zone showed: no hungry households, the average poverty
rate across the buffer zone is 11.33%.
Table 4. 3 The Poverty of the region in Tam Dao National Park in 2006

District

Poverty households

Average, pretty, rich
households

Number of

Number of

households
Vĩnh Phúc

households


%

Tam Đảo

1725

14.38

10271

85.62

Bình Xuyên –
Phúc Yên

617

17.55

2898

82.45

2342

15.09

13169

84.9


Đại Từ

1496

10.09

12714

85.82

Phổ Yên

588

10.33

5101

89.63

2084

10.16

17815

86.88

327


5.510

5609

94.52

327

5.51

5609

94.52

4.753

11.33

36.593

87.23

Total
Thái Nguyên
Total
Tuyên Quang

%


Sơn Dương

Total
Total

4.1.2.3: Labor structure:
The labor force aged between 18-60 years of age is 122 190 people about 60% of total
exports in the region. The communal area of Tam Dao scale young population, labor force
tends to increase, but the level of labor is low, the number of students High School in
communes low (primary school students accounted for 60%, Middle school 35% high school
and is 5%). Agricultural labor accounted for 94%. The number of employees increased rapidly
in recent years to make the rural labor surplus was even more redundant. Furthermore, most

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