MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF FORESTRY

STUDENT THESIS
ASSESSMENT OF ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL BASED ON
BIODIVERSITY AND LANDSCAPES IN CAT BA NATIONAL PARK

Major: Natural Resources Management
Code: D850101
Faculty: Forest Resources and Environmental Management

Student: Nguyen Khanh Toan

Student ID: 1253101526

Class: K57 Natural Resources Management

Course: 2012 - 2016

Advanced Education Program
Developed in collaboration with Colorado State University, USA

Supervisor: Dr. Dong Thanh Hai

Ha Noi, 2016

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my very great appreciation to Dr Dong Thanh Hai from

Vietnam National University of Forestry, my research supervisor, for their enthusiastic
encouragement and useful critiques of this research work. Without his thoughtful, patient
guidance through every step of my research, this thesis could not have been realized
I would like to express my gratitude to Prof. Lee MacDonald for finding out the time
to check and give advises to my proposal.
I would like to express the deepest appreciation to the heads, officers of Cat Ba
National park, local people there for providing me useful information and kind consideration
and help.
Many other people have contributed to the success of this thesis but I would like to
particularly thank my family and classmates from K57 Natural Resources ManagementAdvanced program for their support. Last but not least this thesis could have never been
complete without the support of Faculty of Forest Resources and Environmental Management
always encouraged me during the entire process of studying and doing research
Despite spending the best efforts in the thesis conducting process, this research still
has many shortcomings due to the limitations of time, finance and my ability. I am looking
forward to receiving comments from teachers, friends to a better thesis completion.
Thank you!

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ABSTRACT
This research is based on a survey carried out on tourists about ecotourism.
The main objective was to assess the ecotourism development potential and current
situation of ecotourism in Cat Ba National Park based on biodiversity and landscapes, from
which to propose solutions to sustainable development of ecotourism.
The methods that were used for collecting data are interview, line transect and using
SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats to ecotourism in Cat
Ba National Park.
The study showed that Cat Ba National Park had high value about landscape,
biodiversity to develop ecotourism, also satisfying levels of tourists to the ecotourism services

here. The study also show the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats to ecotourism in
Cat Ba National Park. The findings also revealed that there is need to create more awareness
by providing information regarding ecotourism potentials in the location and its benefits so as
to encourage the local leaders and community people to conserve natural tourism resources
and hence improve the economy of the locals.
Key word: ecotourism, biodiversity, landscape.

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ABBREVIATIONS
NP: National Park
IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ABSTRACT
ABBREVIATIONS
LIST OF FIGURES
LIST OF TABLES
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 1
CHAPTER 2. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ............................................................................. 5
2.1. Goals .................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2. Objectives ............................................................................................................................ 5
CHAPTER 3. STUDY SITE ...................................................................................................... 6
3.1. Geographic location ............................................................................................................. 6
3.2. Climate and hydrology ........................................................................................................ 7

3.3. Topography.......................................................................................................................... 7
3.4. Geologic characteristics and soil ......................................................................................... 7
3.5. Fauna and Flora ................................................................................................................... 8
3.5.1. Flora .................................................................................................................................. 8
3.5.2. Fauna ................................................................................................................................ 9
3.6. Economy – society .............................................................................................................. 9
3.6.1. Population and employ ..................................................................................................... 9
3.6.2. Livelihood ....................................................................................................................... 10
CHAPTER 4. METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................ 12
4.1. Secondary document review .............................................................................................. 12
4.2. Collecting data methods .................................................................................................... 13
4.2.1. Preparation ...................................................................................................................... 13
4.2.2. Interview ......................................................................................................................... 13

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4.2.3. Line transect survey ........................................................................................................ 14
4.3. Assess the potential and advantages to develop ecotourism in Cat Ba NP ....................... 14
4.4. Data analysis ...................................................................................................................... 15
CHAPTER 5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ....................................................................... 16
5.1. Biodiversity and landscapes potentials for ecotourism in Cat Ba NP ............................... 16
5.1.1. Ecological resource potential and landscape value at Cat Ba NP .................................. 16
5.1.2. The infrastructure, the tourist spots and potential routes for ecotourism ....................... 23
5.1.3. Operational mechanism and management model of the Cat Ba NP............................... 30
5.2. Assess status of ecotourism in Cat Ba NP ......................................................................... 32
5.2.1. Ecotourism development status of Cat Ba NP ............................................................... 32
5.2.2. The views of local communities about tourist activities and ecotourism ....................... 34
5.3. Assessment of advantages and disadvantages, opportunities, challenges on ecotourism
development in Cat Ba NP ....................................................................................................... 37

5.4. Proposing some solutions to develop sustainable ecotourism associated with the
conservation of biodiversity in Cat Ba NP. .............................................................................. 39
CHAPTER 6. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................. 44
6.1. Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 44
6.1.1. Biodiversity and landscapes potential ............................................................................ 44
6.1.2. Status of ecotourism ....................................................................................................... 44
6.1.3. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats to ecotourism in Cat Ba NP ................... 44
6.1.4. Proposing solutions ........................................................................................................ 45
6.2. Constrains .......................................................................................................................... 45
6.3. Recommendation ............................................................................................................... 45
REFERENCES
APPENDIX

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 3.1. Geographic map Cat Ba NP ..................................................................................... 6
Figure 5.1. Ngu Lam Peak- Evergreen forest ........................................................................... 18
Figure 5.2. Lan Ha Bay- Marine ecosystems on the limestone ecosystem .............................. 18
Figure 5.3. Mangrove forest- coastal mangrove ....................................................................... 18
Figure 5.4. Frog Pond- alpine ecosystem ................................................................................. 18
Figure 5.5. Cat Co 2 Beach....................................................................................................... 20
Figure 5.6. Trung Trang Stream ............................................................................................... 22
Figure 5.7. Ecotourism routes in Cat Ba NP ............................................................................ 29

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 3.1: The population situation of the commune, town in Cat Ba Island ......................... 10
Table 5.1. The units under the Cat Ba NP ................................................................................ 31
Table 5.2. Officials and employees' decree of Cat Ba NP ........................................................ 31
Table 5.3. Statistics of tourists to Cat Ba (2011-2015) ............................................................ 33
Table 5.4. Statistics of current situation of visitors to Cat Ba NP (2011-2015) ....................... 33
Table 5.5. The purpose visits the park ...................................................................................... 34
Table 5.6. Information sources to know about NP ................................................................... 35
Table 5.7. Perception of tourists after travel ............................................................................ 35
Table 5.8. Reviews on people about the benefits of ecotourism .............................................. 36
Table 5.9. The views of local people about tourists ................................................................. 36

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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Nowadays, the economic system does not stop growing, science and technology help
been supporting people very much but along with it is the working pressure. On the other
hand, industrial development causes serious environmental pollution, dust and garbage
everywhere. So, people need to find new ways to relax to dismiss stress and fatigue at work.
Recently, people tend to choose to relax in wild places, away from crowded areas, which is
ecotourism.
In recent years, tourism activities have developed remarkably. In particular, ecotourism has been increasingly well known. The formation and development of this type have
undergone a long time to be like today. Ecotourism has begun being talked about since the
early 80s in the world. The first researchers of this field is Hector Ceballos-Lascurain,
Elizabeth Boo, ... and numerous theoretical, practical studies of ecological tourism of
scientists who were interested in this field such as : Linberg, Hawkins, Cocchrane, ...
The World Conservation Union‟s (IUCN) Commission on National Parks and
Protected Areas defines ecotourism as „„environmentally responsible travel and visitation to
relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature that promotes

conservation, has low visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic
involvement of local populations (Ceballos-Lascurain, 1996)
Ecotourism has just been formed in recent years but has rapidly growing, drawing
attention from many countries and it is also the strategic growth objective of Vietnam‟s
tourism industry.

Furthermore, this type of tourism contributes to nature conservation,

biodiversity and community cultural protection, while improving the living condition of local
people and developing the social-economic system.

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Ecotourism in Vietnam emerged around the middle of the 1990s. In 1999, within the
framework of a seminar on building national strategy for the development of ecotourism, this
definition was offered: "Ecotourism is a form of nature tourism that has a high level of
education in ecology and environment and make positive impacts on environmental and
cultural protection, ensures bringing of financial benefits to the local community and
contributes to the conservation efforts” ( The Seminar about ecotourism, 1999).
To understand more about ecotourism, we need to know about the characteristics of
ecotourism and the basic principles of ecotourism.
a. Characteristics of ecotourism
According to Dowling, the difference between ecotourism and other types of tourism
was listed in the following five characteristics (Stephen J. Page & Dowling, 2002):
- Ecotourism develops based on abundant geographical and cultural elements of
indigenous: the objects of ecotourism are attractive areas of nature, including the distinctive
indigenous cultural features.
-Ensuring Ecological sustainability and supporting conservation: Due to ecotourism
development on the abundant environment in nature, formation and extent of use for tourism

activities should be maintained and managed for the sustainability of the ecosystem and the
tourism sector.
- Environmental Education: characteristic of environmental education in ecotourism is
a fundamental element, is effective in changing attitudes of consumer the community and the
tourism industry. This can be considered as one of the effective tools for the natural area.
- Encouraging the local community to participate in and earn the benefits from
tourism: Ecotourism enhances the income for local community on the basis of providing the
knowledge and practical experience for the majority of people who have ability to participate
in management, operation of ecotourism services. That is the way people can become active
conservationists.

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-Providing travel experience with high quality for visitors: satisfying the desire of
tourists about the enhancement of understanding and the interesting travel experiences. All of
them are the existences of survival of ecotourism sector.
b. The basic principles of ecotourism
In 1996, Cochrane came up with these principles in order to ensure sustainable
ecotourism as follows (Cochrane J.,1996): cautiously using resources, supporting
conservation and the reduction of littering; creating long-term economic benefits for local
communities, who are the biggest contributors in the development and planning; the Market
campaigns need to respect the environment, tourism, should not damage the culture and local
society; able to attract a large amount of tourists and frequently satisfy them with exciting
tourism experiences; tourists should be given full and accurate information about the visit
area, ensuring high educational characteristics.
Protected areas are the most appropriate places to develop ecotourism, because it has
many factors that attract tourists. It could be rare and precious flora and fauna, endemic
species, beautiful landscape, high biodiversity, historical or cultural, traditional sites, which
have specific characteristics in terms of nature. It will bring benefit for organizations, who set

up ecotourism, and local communities. Therefore, these factors need to be protected carefully.
Thus, it is important to have relationship between ecotourism protected areas.
However, not all of tourists who come to the natural reserve areas are eco-tourists.
They just come to enjoy and explore the beauty. Therefore, they only stay in short time so
they cannot have all the experience with atmosphere and nature here. Because of this reason,
it needs to have good management ways in order to develop ecotourism without damaging the
natural reserve areas to conserve biodiversity and increase income in a sustainable way for the
local community.

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Viet Nam has a tropical monsoon climate with 75% total area are moutain and plateau,
the coastline stretches over 3200km and contain many small and medium island. Besides,
there is also the diversity of forest ecosystem and humanity ecosystem. The harmonious
combination of natural view and traditional culture is basic and potential to develop
ecotourism in Viet Nam.
Located in the east of Hai Phong city, Cat Ba is favored for nice landscape and
excellent natural conditions. For many years, Cat Ba NP is an ecological tourist attraction for
local people as well as people from around the country and foreigners. The number of visitors
has increased rapidly. This gave rise to conflicts in the relationship between tourism and
conservation and sustainable development activities.
Stemming from the above reasons, the topic:"Assessment of ecotourism
development potential based on biodiversity and landscapes in Cat Ba NP" was chosen as
the topic for the student graduation thesis. This study proposes a number of measures to
conserve biodiversity and develop local economy, while working to develop sustainable
ecotourism.

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CHAPTER 2
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
2.1. Goals
Assessing the potential and current situation of development of ecotourism in Cat Ba
NP based on biodiversity and landscapes, from which to propose solutions to develop
ecotourism to exploiting the potential of sustainable ecotourism, to improve the local
communities‟ livelihood, and to conserve biodiversity.
2.2. Objectives
- To assess the biodiversity and landscapes potentials for ecotourism in developing Cat Ba NP.
- To assess status of ecotourism in Cat Ba NP.
- To identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats to ecotourism in Cat Ba NP.
- To give recommendation for long term development of ecotourism in Cat Ba NP.

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CHAPTER 3
STUDY SITE
3.1. Geographic location
- The distance from Cat Ba Island to HaiPhong is 45 kilometers to the east, 25
kilometers to the south of Ha Long City and Hanoi city about 150km to the southeast. To the
north it borders Ha Long Bay, QuangNinh province; the west it borders Cat Hai Island, Cat
Hai district, HaiPhong city; the east and south is the East Sea.
- Cat Ba island coordinates: 20042‟ – 20054‟

North latitude

106°52′- 107°07′ East longitude
- Cat Ba National Park coordinates:

20°44′50″-20°55′29″ North latitude
106°54′20″-107°10′05″ East longitude

(Source: )
Figure 3.1. Geographic map Cat Ba NP

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3.2. Climate and hydrology
- Cat Ba National Park is located in the tropical monsoon area, influenced many of the
coastal line climate - Average annual temperature: 20oC; Average annual precipitation is:
1700 - 1800mm. Rainy season from April to November and dry season from December to
March next year; Average annual humidity is 85%; April is wettest and January is driest;
Average annual evaporation is 700mm per year; monsoon northeast wind from September to
March next year, the southeast wind from April to August; an average of 2-3 storm a year.
3.3. Topography
- All of Cat Ba island are mountainous areas with elevations between 50-200m, the
average slope is 30-40 degrees; the lowest place is Ang Tom, 10-30m below sea-level; the
highest place is Cao Vong peak located in the north of the island, about 331m high. Main
terrain of Cat Ba is limestone alternating with many large and small valleys. In terms of
mineral resources, in addition to limestone, Cat Ba Island also has valuable mineral water
(Xuan Dam commune has hot mineral water mine with temperature of 38oC). Cat Ba‟s typical
ecosystems are tropical rain forests on limestone mountains. mangroves, coral reefs, sea grass,
cave ecosystem, etc.
3.4. Geologic characteristics and soil
3.4.1. Geologic characteristics
- Cat Ba area as well as the Northeast Vietnam has a history of lasting geological
development, had been a part of the folded structure Caledonia marks the end geosynclinal
regime deep sea Karatzia in late Silurian.

- The limestone blocks with an average age of carbon Late - Permian (250-280 million
years). There is configuration blocks, sometimes stratified pretty thin, gray or white-gray
alternating with silicon limestone. They are full shape of a Karst domain submerged of sea,
due to the impact of surface water and groundwater has created a system of caves in different
heights (4 meters, 15 meters and 25 - 30 meters). Due to the activities of the ocean waves has

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created waves in all limestone foot of Cat Ba Island and the porches abrasive long shape and
narrow surrounded, with the dual wave at 3.5 - 4 meters and 1.0 - 1.5 meters. In enclosed
areas, the waves also creating of sand accumulates very clean surrounded small islands. That's
beaches mini very ideal for travel services about sea bathe.
3.4.2. Soils
Cat Ba National Park consists of five main types of soil: Red-brown soil Feralit
developed on limestone, Soil Feralit sepia slopes capacitors of the foot of a mountain
limestone, Soil Feralit fawn develop from the product of weathered limestone mixed,
submerged valley soils and soil formed from mangroves
3.5. Fauna and Flora
3.5.1. Flora
According to the survey result of

Forest Inventory and Planning Institute has

identified 1,585 species, belong to 850 genus, 187 families, 5 flora phyla. Which includes
number of common agriculture species (245 species), for example: Capsicum undatum,
Ipomoea balatas, Ipomoea aquatica, Manihot esculenta, Oryza sativa, Capsicum frutescens,...;
and number of species which are from different ecological zones, such as: Hopea odorata,
Dipterocarpus alatus, D. dyeri, D. obtusifolius, Shorea chinensis (Dipterocarpaceae),
Keteleeria evelyniana, Pinus caribaea, P. merkusssii (Pinaceae), Bauhinia purpurea, Bauhinia

variegata, Afzelia xylocarpa (Caesalpiniaceae), Epiphyllum oxypetalum, Zygocactus
truncatus (Cactaceae), Callistemon citrinus, Eucalyptus spp. (Myrtaceae) and many other
species. Vascular plant includes 1,561 species, belong to 186 families. Group of timber
include 408 species, group of medicinal plant includes 661 species, group of edible plant
includes 196 species, ornamental plants include 203 species. This area has valuable
conservation of endemic rare and precious species: some species are not in the list of animals
and plants on land adjacent. Initial survey results have identified 89 rare and precious species
in the Red Data Book of Vietnam and the world, especially Livistona halongensis.

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3.5.2. Fauna
- Cat Ba Island has 53 animal species belonging to 18 families with 8 ofordo; 160
species of birds with 46 families belonging to 16 ordo; 46 reptile species with 16 families
belonging to 2 ordo; 21 species of amphibians with 5 families belonging to 1 ordo.
- Terrestrial animals about 282 species, especially species of golden langur
(Trachypithecuspoliocephalus), this is beasts species particularly rare in the world only
remains in Vietnam (about 50-60 individuals, according to the IUCN Red List).
- Marine animals: there are 98 species of zooplankton, 196 species of marine fish
(including 79 species of reef fish), 177 species of coral,532 species of bottom animals.
According to survey data of the Institute of Oceanography in HaiPhong, said today there are
900 fish species, 500 species of molluscs, 400 species of crustaceans. One of the rare species
of Cat Ba is the large Dolphin, and Dolphin baby. In total number of marine species in the
area of Cat Ba has found there are 21 rare species, including two species listed in the CITES
list, 7 species in the Vietnam Red Book need protected still exist in the region.
- With the charm of an awarded nature, biodiversity, geology and the tremendous
value in terms of culture, history, ethnicity, Cat Ba will become an attractive destination for
travelers domestic and foreign visitors. With the title "Biosphere Reserve World" will
facilitate to economic development impetus, society in a comprehensive way for Cat Ba

island and engage in scientific research networks internationally, support environmental
management and biodiversity.
3.6. Economy – society
3.6.1. Population and employ
- According to statistics in 1997, the Cat Ba district population is 27,051 people,
accounting 1.6% of the total population of the Hai Phong city. The average population density
of the district is 80 people/km2.
- The number of people in labor age is 10,500 people (1997), 12,000 (2000) and
15,000 people (2010).

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- According to the Statistical Office of HaiPhong city, population increase in the area
of Cat Ba Island mainly is natural increase with an average of 0.68%/year (2011), lower than
the annual average rate of HaiPhong city and the country. Relatively stable population in
recent years, the phenomenon of migration freely to the island. Total population of the region
as of 2011 was 16,566 people, the proportion of men and women in the past years without
significant changes, the percentage of women than men usually a little higher. According to
statistics in 2011, the percentage of women in the region accounted for 50.69%.
Table 3.1: The population situation of the commune,
town in Cat Ba Island
No

Commune

Total
HHs

Demography


The birth

Death

Natural increase

rate

rate

rate

1

Gia Luan

197

580

1.67

0.34

1.33

2

Phu Long


124

2,064

1.22

0.58

0.64

3

HienHao

541

354

0.42

0.28

0.14

4

Xuan Dam

451


851

1.88

1.08

0.8

5

Tran Chau

108

1,563

1.79

0.70

1.09

6

Viet Hai

249

210


0.95

0.95

0

7

Cat Ba town

4,013

10,944

1.37

0.59

0.78

Total

5,683

16,566

Average: 0,68 %

(Source: People's Committees of communes, Cat Ba town and district Statistical

Yearbook - 2011)
3.6.2. Livelihood
3.6.2.1. Production of industrial and handicraft
- The small engineering works, repairing boats, stone production, mineral water,
production of building materials, electricity, rapidly developing produce timely service and
create Occupations for thousands of workers
- In general, industry and handicraft development less powerful, scattered and focused
in town.

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3.6.2.2. Agricultural production
- Cat Ba island is limestone terrain, so largely lacks surface water. The commune on
the island with an area not exceeding 200 ha of agricultural land. The rice output is not high,
so do not meet people's demand for agricultural communes as well as people on the island.
Agricultural production sector accounts a very small proportion of the economy of the district
(all district only occupy 1.5% of the total production value and 2.3% of GDP in the district).
3.6.2.3. Economic forests
- Due to the forests area on the island of Cat Ba majority belonging to management
area of the national park management board, so the area of forest land in the area of the buffer
zone is not much. So far, FPU of district was coordination with FPU of NP guided perform
some work such as: reforestation focus, scattered plantations, restored forests and forest care.
- Cat Ba Island has a forest area of 15,200ha, of which forest land managed by the
National Park is 9.800has, remaining 6,400ha is managed by the cooperative. Natural wood
forest has about 293ha (shrubs forest). Plantations: resinous pine (126ha), Acacia (66ha),
Cunminghamialanceolata (30ha), Bamboo (40ha). Currently the investigation planning land
and forests have been done well. In recent years, the whole island of Cat Ba planted 121
hectares, deforestation is limited.
3.6.2.4. Fishery Exploitation

- Cat Hai district has 288 fishing ships with a total capacity of 3120 CV, exploitation
output 3944.7 tone of shrimp, fish of all kinds (2011). For offshore fishing ships, fishing
grounds mainly are offshore region.
3.6.3. Health
Health network is being upgraded to meet the initial requirements of health care in
the locality of the island people. The commune has Community Health Systems (CHS), each
station has to 5-7 medical staff. In addition, the district has a district health center in Cat Ba
town and a number of privatization health facilities are services to health care, examination
and treatment for people. The national health program was implemented and performed well,
the state of food safety is improved. The epidemics are relatively effective control.

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CHAPTER 4
METHODOLOGY
This research was conducted between February and October. The proposal writing
was written up from February to April and the field investigation was from 8th August to 25th.
From 20th August to 1st October is the period time for data analysis and finish the thesis.
4.1. Secondary document review
Before proceed collecting data, the author did write thesis proposal, learn about study
area through documents, previous researchs that related to infomations of study area and
ecotourism activities such as natural conditions, maps and ecotourism routes map.
Step 1: Identify the data required in the research:
- The map of Cat Ba NP.
- Information on regional fauna, on ecotourism activities in this NP (rare species, their
distribution).
- Humanity resources (folk, culture, tradition)
- Information of ecotourism activities available at the national reserve
Step 2: Inheritance data can be collected from Cat Ba NP Management Board:

- The map of Cat Ba NP
- Fauna and flora in Cat Ba NP
- Information about political-social-national defense of the commune in Cat Ba town.
- Information about ecotourism.
Step 3: The secondary data need to be collected from outside sources
- Book, newspapers: collecting information related to Cat Ba NP
- Tourism organization.
Step 4: Collect secondary documents.
Step 5: Detailed study of the collected data values.

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- Identify the data values.
- Compared with the research objectives.
- Assess: Identify and classify data; the reliability and topicality of the data.
Step 6: Derive the required data gathered from the original data.
4.2. Collecting data methods
4.2.1. Preparation
- Prepare useful equipments for collecting data: pen, notebook, maps…
- Identifying preliminary survey transects
- Prepare the questionnaires
4.2.2. Interview
Step 1: Determine the needed information: on the current state of ecotourism
activities, the potential ecotourism sites, local community culture.
Step 2: Identify the interviewed subjects: based on the information to be collected, it‟s
necessary to introduce some subjects as follow tourists (international and domestic tourists)
and local people.
Step 3: Develop interview questions with locals and tourists.
- For local people: The study has interviewed 40 households of 4 communes in the

locality of Cat Ba town, the object interview is the head of households and select randomly.
The questionnaires focus on identifying natural landscape (caves, waterfall, etc…) and flora
and fauna which have potential for ecotourism development. In addition, the questionnaire
assess tourism activities and gather comments from interviewee about local issues, places are
enable for tourism and propose potential tourism line. Questionnaires for local people are in
Appendix 1.
- For tourists: The study has interviewed 60 tourists about travel quality and their
expectation of participating in this tour. Questionnaires for tourists are in Appendix 2.

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Step 4: Conduct interviews: When interviewing, the object should be understand the
mean of questions, the information needs to be briefly noted.
Step 5: Synthetize, analyze and save the collected data.
4.2.3. Line transect survey
After obtaining information from secondary documents and interview method, the
study conducted field survey by the transect line survey method:
Step 1: Create map for transect lines: In this study, author created 4 transects through
4 main routes in Cat Ba NP: Kim Giao forest- Ngu Lam peak route, Trung Trang- Grottos
route, forest education trail, Frog pond- Viet Hai commune… The length of transects from 2
to 3 kilometers.
Step 2: Investigate and collect data about the image, geographic location and
characteristics of tourism potential, infrastructure, transport, etc.
Step 3: Storage, synthesize and analyze, classify collected data.
4.3. Assess the potential and advantages to develop ecotourism in Cat Ba NP
Based on the information obtained from natural conditions, socio-economic,
infrastructure, the participation of people with tourism to establish the SWOT analysis.
SWOT analysis is a useful analysis tool to understand research issues, including strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. SWOT analysis creates a holistic view of the issues,

from that to see the issues in various ways and toward solving the issues. SWOT analyzed as
a 2x2 matrix as table:
Inside (present)
Outside (future)

Strengths

Weaknesses

Opportunities

S-O

W-O

Threats

S-T

W-T

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Applying this analysis tool for ecotourism in Cat Ba NP to find out how to exploit
ecotourism in a sustainable way in the study site. From the above model, applying to the study:
-Strengths are to show the advantages and superiority of Cat Ba NP in the service of
ecotourism activities.
-Weaknesses are limitations related to infrastructure, the ecotourism organization of
Cat Ba NP.

-Opportunities are raised facilitate to develop sustainable ecotourism of Cat Ba NP.
-Threats are predict the negative impact on tourism, landscape, environment and
natural resources of Cat Ba NP.
4.4. Data analysis
From collected data, process the data into tables to evaluate the information.
After conducting fieldwork, synthesize and analyze the advantages and difficulties of
the study site.

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CHAPTER 5
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
5.1. Biodiversity and landscapes potentials for ecotourism in Cat Ba NP
5.1.1. Ecological resource potential and landscape value at Cat Ba NP
5.1.1.1. Favorable geographic location
Cat Ba NP is located 45km from Hai Phong City, 150km from Hanoi, and next to the
Ha Long Bay – a World Natural Heritage Site, near Do Son Beach. Besides, Hai Phong is the
third largest city in the country, is considered as a triangle pole of economic development
dynamics: Hanoi – Hai Phong – Quang Ninh. There is an international Airport Cat Bi at 5km
from center of Hai Phong city. With the intention of expanding in the future, it will be a major
advantage for tourism development. Therefore, tourists from other places, especially cities in
the North, will not take to much time to be able to take a trip and enjoy nature at Cat Ba NP.
There are two options to come to the Cat Ba NP. First way is 45 minute-traveling by highspeed boat from Binh-port (Hai Phong city), go through Ha Long Bay with spectacular and
beautiful natural scenery. This site is considered as World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO,
to Lan Ha Bay. The second way is traveling by car from Dinh Vu Port, go to the Cat Hai port
by ferry. Then go to the Cat Ba NP on 31km-paved-road.
5.1.1.2. Resources
Cat Ba NP is the Core zone of the World Biosphere Reserve:
On 29th October 2004, at the meeting of International Council of coordinating the

program Man and Biosphere in Paris (France), UNESCO recognized officially Cat Ba World
Biosphere Reserve with outstanding values, ecosystems and biodiversity, including most of
Cat Ba archipelago, with total area of 26,240ha, including 17,040ha of land and 9,200ha of
sea surface.

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According to the research results, Cat Ba area has list of 2,320 species of flora and
fauna with island and marine species, including 60 species are considered as rare and precious
endemic species in Vietnam Red Data Book such as: Pica Pica, Corvus torquatus,
Trachypithecus poliocephalus, Trachypithecus delacouri or Nageia fleuryi, Ardisia silvestris,
Chukrasia tabularis, Smilax glabra, Sasa japonica, Madhuca pasquieri. Island and marine
species has economic value including 8 species of seaweed (Caulerpa racemosa, Sargassum
tenerrimum,…), 7 animal species of benthic (Trochus pyramis, Tectus niloticus, Pinctada
margaritifera,…), 5 species of reptiles (Eretmochelys imbricata, Caretta caretta, Dermochelys
coriacea,

Thalassophina

viperina,

Lepidochelys

olivacea),

4

species


of

seabirds

(Phalacrocorax carbo, Platalea minor, Aerodramus brevirostris, Larus pacificus). In Cat Ba
beach also discovered 193 species of coral, including 166 species belong to hard coral order,
and the rest belong to crawled coral order, soft coral order, keratin coral order. Islands such as
Ang Tham, Cat Dua, Mui Hong, Ba Trai Dao, Dau Be-Hang Trai, Long Chau has well
develop coral reefs, with common depth of 5-6m and no more than 10m.
Diverse forest ecosystems
Ecosystem diversity include: Evergreen forest on the limestone ecosystem, alpine
wetland forest ecosystem, coastal mangrove ecosystem, sea with coral reefs near the coastal
and cave ecosystem, farm located between the valley ecosystem for example at Khe Sau or
near the residential areas.
Biological resources representative for 3 typical tropical approach tropics ecosystems,
include: tropical rain forest on limestone island ecosystem, mangrove ecosystem, and coral
reef ecosystem.

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