Chợ nổi và khai thác chợ nổi phục vụ mục đích du lịch ở đồng bằng sông cửu long tt tiếng anh

Floating market is a traditional commercial business type, containing cultural values of traveling, buying and unique activities of people on the river, capable of exploiting for tourism

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING

HANOI NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION

NGUYEN TRONG NHAN

FLOATING MARKETS AND FLOATING MARKET EXPLOITATION

FOR TOURISM PURPOSES IN THE MEKONG DELTA

Speciality: Geography Code number: 9.31.05.01

SUMMARY OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL DOCTORAL THESIS

HANOI - 2019

THE THESIS WAS COMPLETED AT HANOI NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION

Instructor: Prof Dr Le Van Thong

Reviewer 1: Prof Dr Pham Hoang Hai

Office: Institute of Geography

Reviewer 2: Assoc Prof Dr Nguyen Xuan Truong

Office: Thai Nguyen University of Education

Reviewer 3: Assoc Prof Dr Hoang Phuc Lam

Office: Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy

The thesis will be protected in front of the thesis review board meeting at Hanoi National University of Education at………

The thesis can be found at the libraries: National Library of Vietnam,

Ha Noi or Library of Hanoi National University of Education

LIST OF AUTHOR’S PUBLICATIONS IN RELATION TO THE

THESIS

1 Nguyen Trong Nhan (2014), Bẹo tree – A cultural symbol on floating markets

in the Mekong Delta, Journal of Cultural Heritage, 4(49), pp 102-104

2 Nguyen Trong Nhan (2015), Floating markets and floating market tourism, Vietnam Tourism Magazine, 11, pp 10-12

3 Nguyen Trong Nhan, Le Thong (2016), Background theory of floating market tourism, Scientific journal of Can Tho University, 43, pp 60-68

4 Nguyen Trong Nhan (2017), Floating markets in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam: Formation history, spatial changes, roles, weaknesses and Threats, Proceedings of the Scientific Conference "Conserving and

promoting the cultural values of waterways in the process of integration and development", Cantho University Press, pp 208-218

5 Nguyen Trong Nhan (2017), Attractions of floating markets in the Mekong Delta for visitors, Proceedings of the Scientific Conference "Conserving

and promoting the cultural values of waterways in the process of integration and development", Cantho University Press, pp 219-225

6 Nguyen Trong Nhan (2018), Floating markets in the Mekong Delta of Vetnam from the perspective of Geography, Ho Chi Minh City University

8 Nguyen Trong Nhan (2018), Floating markets and floating market tourism

in the Mekong Delta - main findings, Cuu Long University Journal of

Science, 10, pp 21-27

9 Nguyen Trong Nhan (2018), Floating markets in the Mekong River Delta

of Vietnam from the perspective of human ecology, Journal of Science and

INTRODUCTION

1 REASONS FOR CHOOSING THE TOPIC

In recent decades, tourism has become an important economic sector of Vietnam The development of the tourism industry has created positive changes

to the economy, society, culture and international integration process of the nation Recognizing the importance of tourism for the country's development, resolution 08 of the Ministry of Political has set a target that by 2020 tourism will basically become a key economic sector and by 2030 tourism is really a key economic sector of Vietnam

In order to achieve the above objectives, it requires a great effort of all levels, sectors, enterprises and communities in concentrating all resources for the exploitation of tourism products, especially specific tourism products of the regions Floating market is a traditional commercial business type, containing cultural values of traveling, buying and unique activities of people on the river, capable of exploiting for tourism, so it is defined as a in specific tourism products of the Mekong Delta region

Tourism types of floating market visiting, exploring, experiencing in the area have been attracting domestic and foreign tourists, contributing to generate revenue for localities and people However, over the past years, besides the activities, the investment have positive impacts, there are many barriers that prvent the existence and exploitation activities of floating markets for tourism in the region Meanwhile, localities are in need of preserving and exploiting floating markets for tourism

Therefore, the study on "Floating markets and floating market exploitation for

tourism purposes in the Mekong Delta" not only contributes to overcoming

bottlenecks in the conservation and exploitation of floating markets for tourism but also in line with the expectations of many localities

2 OBJECTIVES AND RESEARCH TASKS

2.1 Research objectives

Based on an overview of theoretical and practical issues on floating markets and exploitation of floating markets for tourism, the dissertation analyzes the formation and development of floating markets, assesses the ability and current status of floating market exploitation for tourism in the Mekong Delta region From that, effective solutions are recommended for the conservation and exploitation of floating markets for tourism in the study area

2.2 Research tasks

To achieve above objectives, the tasks of the thesis are as follows:

- Constructing scientific basis on floating market, floating market exploitation for tourism and applying to research in the Mekong Delta region;

- Analyzing the formation and development of floating markets in the Mekong Delta;

- Assessing the ability and current status of floating market exploition for tourism in the Mekong Delta region;

- Proposing some solutions for the conservation and exploitation of floating markets for tourism in the Mekong Delta region

3 RESEARCH SCOPE

- About research content: Analyzing the formation and development of

floating markets in the Mekong Delta; analyzing the ability and status of floating market exploitation in the Mekong Delta to serve tourism; proposing some solutions for the conservation and exploitation of floating markets for tourism in the study area

- About research area: The research space of the thesis is in the Mekong

Delta but the focus is on 11 floating markets (Cai Be, Tra On, Cai Rang, Phong Dien, Long Xuyen, Chau Doc, Ba Ngan, Nga Nam, Vinh Thuan, Ca Mau and Cai Nuoc) which belong to 8 administrative units (Can Tho city, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, An Giang, Hau Giang, Soc Trang, Kien Giang and Ca Mau provinces)

- About research time: Secondary data used for the thesis is from 2014 to

2018 Primary data is collected from 2015 to 2018

(ii) Floating markets in the Mekong Delta have the ability to attract tourists

in the natural (waterways) and culture (goods, trading activities, goods hanging form, stallholders’ life) With different levels of convenience in terms of location and accessibility, tourism resources, infrastructure, the combination with other types of tourism, tourism development policies make the ability to exploit floating markets for tourism is different between floating markets

(iii) The level of tourism development differs between floating markets and this is due to the impact of tourist demand, investment in technical facilities, service staff, participation of local people, management and investment of the state, etc

(iv) The central and local management agencies lack of solutions for the conservation and exploitation of floating markets for tourism purposes in the Mekong Delta

5 VIEWPOINTS, METHODS AND PROCESS OF RESEARCH

5.1 Research viewpoints

- Systematic viewpoint: The kernel of this view is the change of one factor

that will affect other elements of the system

- Synthetic viewpoint: In order to have a proper understanding about

things, we must consider them in the interrelationship amongst their parts, elements, attributes and in the relationship with other things

- Territorial viewpoint: The focus of this view is to consider and evaluate

the distribution and relationship of things and phenomena on the earth's surface

in space

- Prospective and historical viewpoint: When considering and solving

problems in real life, we must pay attention to practical conditions and historical circumstances that raise and develop things, phenomena as well as place things and phenomena in the status of movement, change and transformation in order to see their future development trend

- Sustainable development viewpoint: The three pillars of this view are

economic growth, social progress and environmental sustainability

5.2 Reasearch methods

- Methods for collecting and processing documents: Materials for

research are books, scientific journals, proceedings of scientific conference, projects, statistical yearbook, final report, statistic data, etc Analytical and synthesis methods used to handle related and trusted documents

- The method of field observation: The author's process of observation

was conducted in all the floating markets of the Mekong Delta with the number

of observations of 5 In addition, the author also participated in Cai Rang floating market cultural tourism festival annual and took a tour in the Amphawa, Damnoen Saduak and Taling Chan floating markets of Thailand

- Semi-structured interview method: The author interviewed 8

representatives of the state management agency on culture and tourism in Tien Giang province, Can Tho city, An Giang province and Soc Trang province as well as 80 local people who traded on floating markets

- Questionnaire survey and data analysis methods: The author

interviewed 400 tourists at Cai Be and Cai Rang floating markets Methods of Descriptive statistics, Independent-Sample T Test, Bivariate correlation, Scale reliability, Exploratory factor and Multivariate linear regression analysis are used to analyze primary data

- Professional method: The author participated in the workshops on

“Preserving and promoting the cultural values of river in the Mekong Delta in the process of integration and development" (organized by Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, Can Tho University), “Restoration of Nga Bay floating market in order to link with tourist sites in Nga Bay town and Phung Hiep district" (organized by People's Committee of Nga Bay town) and

"Conservation and development of Cai Be floating market" (organized by People's Committee of Cai Be district)

- Methods of map and GIS: The author edited administrative map, map of

floating market distribution status, map of current status of floating tourism exploitation in the Mekong Delta, schema of current status of tourism exploitation in Cai Be and Cai Rang floating markets

- Analytical hierarchy process: This method is used to assess the ability to

exploit floating markets for tourism in the Mekong Delta

- SWOT analysis method: The author analyze strengths, weaknesses,

opportunities and challenges for floating markets and floating market exploitation for tourism purposes in the Mekong Delta

5.3 Research process

The thesis is carried out in a 6-step process

6 THE SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THESIS 6.1 Scientific Significance

Clarifying the theoretical basis of floating market, tourism and exploiting floating market for tourism; practical basis for floating market and exploitation

of floating market for tourism in Thailand to apply to research in the Mekong Delta region In particular, the thesis has identified 2 groups of factors affecting the formation of floating markets, 5 aspects affecting the ability to exploit floating markets for tourism and 8 groups of criteria for evaluating tourism exploitation activities to apply for analysis and evaluation in the study area

- Proposing solutions to preserve and exploit floating markets in Mekong Delta for tourism purposes

7 STRUCTURE OF THE THESIS

In addition to introduction, conclusion and appendix, the dissertation consists of 3 chapters:

Chapter 1: The scientific basic of floating market and exploitation of floating markets for tourism purposes

Chapter 2: The formation and development of floating markets and exploitation of floating markets for tourism in the Mekong Delta

Chapter 3: Solutions to preserve and exploite floating markets for tourism purposes in the Mekong Delta

CHAPTER 1 THE SCIENTIFIC BASIC OF FLOATING MARKET AND

EXPLOITATION OF FLOATING MARKETS FOR TOURISM 1.1 OVERVIEW ABOUT RESEARCH ISSUE

1.1.1 International studies on the issue

- Research on floating markets: Throughout the data, floating market

studies were mainly conducted in Thailand and some of those are in Indonesia

In Thailand, floating markets were studied are Amphawa, Thakha, Wat Takien, Damnoen Saduak, Taling Chan The studies focuse on: (i) Reconstruction, conservation and promotion of floating markets (Buasorn, 2010, Rattanapongpinyo, 2015); (ii) The impacts of tourism on the floating market

resources and environment (Seyanont, 2009, Utarasakul, 2012; Choo-in et al.,

2013); (iii) Management of floating markets (Charoensombat, 2002; Bhuapisit

et al., 2013; Rodmanee et al., 2013) In Indonesia, there is a study on the role of social capital at the Lok Baintan floating market (Rahmini et al., 2015) The

research results provide important material for the content of floating market of the thesis

- Research on floating market tourism: To preserve and promote the

floating markets, one of the effective ways is to set up tourism activities in the appropriate areas Recognizing this, Indonesia has studied floating market’s

potential in tourism development (Normelani, 2016; Normelani et al., 2016)

Compared with Indonesia, floating market tourism research works in Thailand are richer in quantity and more diversify on the topic Research trends in Thailand are about floating markets’ potential in tourist development (Wattanacharoensil and Sakdiyakorn, 2015), community-based floating market tourism (Vajikachorn, 2011, Vajikachorn and Nepal, 2014), tools/methods in managing tourism in the floating market (Kerdsueb and Teartisup, 2008; Taiwan, 2012; Buakwan and Visuthisamajarn, 2012), visitor satisfaction for sustainable floating market development (Wiwattanakantang and To- im, 2014) These studies provide useful material for analyzing the practical basis of floating market tourism of the thesis

1.1.2 Studies about floating markets in Vietnam

- Research on floating markets: Two pioneering works in the floating

market research are "The role of the floating market system in the distribution

of vegetables and fruits in the Mekong Delta" (Do Van Xe et al., 2008) and

"Floating markets in the Mekong Delta" (Nham Hung, 2009) The first study of the market under the eyes of economists, the second study of floating market under the view of the writer To provide further information about the floating market, many other researchers have done their studies on other aspects From

the perspective of culture, there are studies by Tran Ngoc Them et al (2014),

Vo Van Son (2016), Pham Phuong Thuy and Pham Hong Loan (2017) Ethnologically, floating markets was studied by Ngo Van Le (2014), Huynh Ngoc Thu (2015) From a historian perspective, floating markets was studied by Nguyen Huu Hieu (2017) Under human ecology view, floating markets have been studied by Dao Ngoc Canh (2017) The conservation and promotion of Nga Bay, Cai Rang, Phong Dien, Cai Be floating markets have been studied by Nguyen Van Hoang (2013), Can Tho Institute of Economy and Society (2015), Dao Thi Ngoc Minh and Vo Thi Bich Diem (2017), Cai Be district People's Committee (2017), respectively Thus, floating markets have been studied in many aspects; however, the author has his own ideas about the floating markets’ formation and development in the Mekong Delta in this study and those are new points of view in this thesis

- Research on floating market tourism: To date, in Vietnam, few studies

on floating market tourism have been conducted In 2015, Cao Nguyen Ngoc Anh and Lam Nhan published two scientific papers on "Floating market tourism in the Mekong Delta: a case study of Cai Be floating market, Tien Giang province" and “Cai Be floating market in Tien Giang province with the exploitation and development of tourism", respectively In 2017, Cai Be district

People's Committee implemented the project of preserving and promoting Cai

Be floating market Beside Cai Be floating market, Cai Rang floating market has been studied by Can Tho Institute of Economy and Society ("Cai Rang floating market preservation and development project", 2015), Nguyen Thi Huynh Phuong ("The tourism development of Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho city, Vietnam: From policy to reality", 2017) These studies are similar to small parts compared with this thesis’s content The research results about the ability and the current status of the floating market exploitation for tourism, solutions to conserve and exploit floating markets for tourism in the Mekong Delta were independently studied by the author and these are new points of the thesis

1.2 THE SCIENTIFIC BASIC OF FLOATING MARKET AND EXPLOITATION OF FLOATING MARKETS FOR TOURISM PURPOSES

1.2.1 About floating market

1.2.1.1 The concept of floating market

Based on analyzing concepts about the floating market in Vietnam and Thailand, it is possible to understand floating market is a concentrated point of commerce on the river, where travelling and trading activities are done by boats, canoes and expresses the livelihoods, traditional lifestyles of the people

1.2.1.2 Roles and functions of floating market

Floating market is a place where people focus on trading and exchanging goods and services so it has roles such as: forming a social trade network, raising awareness of people in commodity economy, generating revenue for the local budget, promoting the development of many production lines, creating jobs for people, preserving national cultural identity Floating market is an important component of the traditional market so it has the following functions: trading goods, implementing and recognizing the value of the goods, creating value for goods, concentrating commodity, signaling the market, improving product distribution efficiency, providing services

1.2.1.3 Influence factors on the formation of floating market

Floating markets are formed by the simultaneous impacts of natural and socio-economic factors Natural factors affecting the formation of floating markets are the roles and characteristics of waterways The socio-economic factors that influence the formation of floating markets include the abundant agricultural products, the need to buy and sell on the rivers, the demand for agricultural products of the urban people, the supply of waterways transport means of the market, the movement of goods by inland waterways plays the leading role, the consensus of society

1.2.2 About tourism

1.2.2.1 Concepts

In this section, the concepts related to tourism are discussed including tourism, tourists, tourism resources, tourism products and community tourism

Tourism is activities related to the trip of people outside their habitual

residence for not more than one continuous year to meet the needs of

sightseeing, relaxation, recreation, exploration and discovery of tourism resources or in combination with other legitimate purposes

Tourists are those who travel or combine tourism, except in the case of

going to work or school to receive income at the destination

Tourism resources are natural landscape, natural elements and cultural

values that form the basis for the formation of tourist products, tourist resorts and tourist spots in order to meet tourist demands Tourism resources include natural tourism resources and cultural tourism resources

Travel products are a collection of services based on the exploitation of

tourism resources to meet the needs of tourists

Community tourism is a form of tourism developed on the basis of cultural

values of the community, managed, exploited and benefited by communities

1.2.2.2 Types of tourism

There are many ways to classify tourism based on visitors’ different purposes For example, based on travelling space there are domestic and international travel; based on trip purposes, it has sightseeing, leisure, visiting, business, and sports tourism, or festival, spiritual/religious, education, business, and exploring tourism; based on tourism resources we have natural and cultural tourism; based on means of transportation it consists of car, train, motorbike, bicycle, boat, raft, animal travelling; based on the form of organization there are group and personal tourism; etc However, the tourist classification that bases

on journey purposes is more popular

1.2.3 Exploiting floating markets for tourism purposes

1.2.3.1 The definition of floating market tourism

Floating market tourism is a part of cultural tourism, so the concept of floating market tourism is related to the concept of cultural tourism On the basis of analyzing some of the cultural tourism concepts in the world and in Vietnam, floating market tourism is understood as the activities that arise from the interaction of visitors with the centralized river trading activities of people, have the participation of the community, preserve and promote the floating market cultural values

1.2.3.2 Different subjects participating in floating market tourism

Floating market tourism involves a number of different actors, therefore, to motivate the development of floating tourism should involve many stakeholders (local people and stallholders, tourists, travel agencies, tour guides, local government and related departments, local tourism association, universities and research institutes, press and broadcasting agencies) in the implementation of various activities (conserving floating markets, providing tourism services, developing tourist products, managing tourist activities, protecting tourist environment, ensuring visitor safe, guiding visitors, promoting destination image, making policy and investing, developing the service staff)

1.2.3.3 Factors affecting the exploitation ability of floating market tourism

Floating market tourism is related to many different components and objects, so the ability to exploit it is influenced by the factors:

- Location has an important influence on the ability to exploit floating

market tourism because it creates the distance between the tourist destination and the floating market If other factors are the same, the distance from the floating market to the market increases, the demand for floating markets of the tourists down and vice versa Floating markets are as close as possible to the

tourist market, they will be easily developed

- Tourism resources that affect the ability to exploit floating market

tourism are natural tourism resources and cultural tourism resources Natural tourism resources are likely to attract tourists in floating markets are rivers Meanwhile, the elements of cultural tourism resources play an attractive role for visitors in the floating market, such as goods, trading activities, goods hanging form, the life of stallholders Floating markets are diverse and unique in tourism resources will be more likely to exploite tourism

- Infrastructure plays an important role in the floating market tourism

exploitation because it meets the demand for travel, sightseeing, shopping, communication and activities of visitors Therefore, the floating markets have the perfect infrastructure system, the ability to exploit it for tourism is feasible

- Floating market tourism exploitation can not be separated from other types of tourism because they have a close relationship, moreover, visitors have

the need to experience many types of tourism in one trip Therefore, floating markets exist in a space that is favorable for linking with other attractive factors, the more likely it is for tourism exploitation

- Policy plays an important role in exploring floating market tourism

because it provides a framework and orientation for operations, regulates imbalances and inappropriate behaviors, creates preconditions and promotes development Therefore, the floating markets have policies to develop tourism, the ability to exploit tourism will be much more favorable

1.2.3.4 Criteria for the assessment of floating market tourism

Many criteria can be used to evaluate floating tourism activities such as:

- Tourists and revenue from tourists Evaluation criteria: market and

number of visitors, tourism activities of tourists; total revenue from tourism, revenue distribution

- Technical facilities for tourism Evaluation criteria: type, quantity and

quality of technical facilities, the level of meeting the needs of visitors of technical facilities

- Tourism staff Evaluation criteria: the level of diversity for service

activities of employees, the level of response to the quantity and quality of service personnel

- Involvement of local people in tourism Evaluation criteria: the work and

level of participation of local people in tourism

- Order and safety in travel Evaluation criteria: manifestations of security

and safety, ensuring and unsecured aspects for security and safety in tourism

- Water environment and scenery at the destination Evaluation criteria:

river waste, river water quality, landscape along the river

- Price of travel services Evaluation criteria: reasonable level of price of

services

- Management and investment of the state for tourism Evaluation criteria:

management and investment activities for tourism development

1.3 THE PRACTICAL BASIS OF FLOATING MARKET AND EXPLOITATION OF FLOATING MARKETS FOR TOURISM PURPOSES IN THAILAND

Floating markets are in Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam Thailand is not only the country with the most well-known floating markets, but the recovery, conservation and exploitation of floating markets have also gained the most prominent achievements, deserving to be a model for many countries to follow Thus, the practical problems of floating markets and floating market exploitation for tourism have been studied only in some cases in Thailand Amphawa, Damnoen Saduak and Taling Chan are notable for their architectural, cultural, social and economic importance, but are also popular tourist destinations in the world In the past, due to the development of the road transport system, the competition of traditional markets and supermarkets made the floating markets turn away In recent decades, floating markets have been restored, preserved and exploited in the direction of tourism The restoration, preservation and exploitation of floating market tourism provides lessons for the Mekong Delta in many aspects (creating and using effective financial resources, getting more envolvement of local people, coordinating among stakeholders, gathering information and ideas, araising awareness; developing more tourist products, managing services’ and goods’ prize, protecting environmental and landscape)

CHAPTER 2 THE FORMATION, DEVELOPMENT OF FLOATING MARKETS AND EXPLOITATION OF FLOATING MARKETS FOR TOURISM

PURPOSES IN THE MEKONG DELTA 2.1 THE FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF FLOATING MARKETS IN THE MEKONG DELTA

2.1.1 General information about the Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta has an area of 40,816.3 square kilometers and about 360,000 square kilometers of exclusive economic zone The location of the area

is favorable for waterway and road trade, visitor access and tourism development cooperation The Mekong Delta has a flat topography, favorable for navigation and large scale agricultural production The Mekong Delta has a humid tropical climate near the equator, which is favorable for agricultural production and tourism development There are five major soil groups in the area in descending order: alum soil, alluvial soil, saline soil, gray soil and other soil Among them, alluvial soil is best suited for agricultural cultivation The remaining soil groups, if they are improved, fertilized and selected for proper cropping, also yields significant crop yields The Mekong Delta has a system of

intertwined rivers and canals This hydrological network is not only valuable for transportation and irrigation but also for tourism

People in the Mekong Delta have a lot of experience in agricultural production In addition, they soon reach commodity production and are quick in the market economy to facilitate the development of the agricultural economy The number of people in the working age is large so the demand for jobs in the economic sectors of the region is very large The transportation system of the region is being improved in terms of road, river, sea and air The power grid has met the needs of the people in the area Posts and telecommunications are increasingly improved and are being modernized The agriculture-forestry-fisheries sector accounts for the largest share of the region's GDP and the share

of the sector tends to decrease The weight of the service industry is second and tends to increase The least weight in the industry and the upward tendency is the actual state of the industry For agriculture - forestry - fishery, agriculture plays the most important role because it occupies a high proportion in the structure of production value In the structure of agricultural production, cultivation always predominates in proportion In terms of industry, the food processing industry occupies the highest proportion in the structure of industrial production value The service sector in the Mekong Delta has seen positive changes with relatively high growth rates Because of its strength in agribusiness, trading activities and trade in the region are likely to develop The Mekong Delta has great potential for developing tourism with its unique ecotourism, river tourism, etc

2.1.2 The formation of floating markets in the Mekong Delta

2.1.2.1 The history of floating markets

Floating markets in the Mekong Delta were born naturally from the travel and shopping on the river of the people Cai Be floating market can be formed

at the end of the XVIII century In the early 20th century, Tra On, Cai Rang, Nga Bay and Nga Nam floating markets were born Ca Mau, Phong Dien, Long Xuyen and Chau Doc floating markets were born in the 70s of the twentieth century Meanwhile, Cai Nuoc floating market came out after a decade In the 90s of the 20th century, Vinh Thuan floating market was formed Up to now, the floating markets in the Mekong Delta have existed for over 200 years, a short time not for the process of settling, exploring and establishing the sovereignty of the Vietnamese in the South This intense vitality demonstrates the great role of the floating markets for the people

2.1.2.2 Factors influencing the formation of floating markets

Floating markets in the Mekong Delta are formed by the combination of natural and socio-economic factors of the region Natural elements (rivers) provide roads and platforms for floating markets Socio-economic factors (plentiful agricultural products, people's demand for river trading, urban people’consumption of agricultural products, the supply of means of transport

of the market, transport of goods by inland waterways plays the leading role, the consensus of society) to provide goods, objects of sale, means of transport

for floating markets and create favorable conditions for formation of the floating markets Therefore, lack of one of those factors, the floating markets can not be formed

2.1.3 The development of the floating market system in the Mekong Delta

2.1.3.1 Roles of floating markets

In general, floating markets in the Mekong Delta have main roles in: distributing agricultural products, creating revenue for the local budget, creating more jobs and getting income for local people, promoting the development of many manufacturing industries, exchanging culture and information, promoting the image of the region, creating inspiration for creative arts, preserving national cultural identity, being tourism resources

2.1.3.2 The space change of floating markets

In order to limit traffic congestion and accidents, inadequate order and local environmental pollution, local authorities coordinate with inland waterway police to move most of the floating markets reached other positions in the last decade of the twentieth century (Ca Mau, Cai Rang, Chau Doc, Nga Nam), the first decade (Nga Bay, Ca Mau, Long Xuyen, Tra On) and the second (Vinh Thuan, Cai Nuoc) of the 21st century After the floating markets were moved, congestion and traffic accidents are basically overcome, the problem of order is improved In addition, many new locations are more suitable for tourism activities because of the space and the use of ships, boats to visit In addition to the positive aspects, the floating market relocation also caused certain consequences (reducing the number of boats to buy and change the nature of the floating markets)

2.1.3.3 The current situation of floating market network

Currently, the Mekong Delta has 11 floating markets: Cai Be (Tien Giang province), Tra On (Vinh Long province), Cai Rang and Phong Dien (Can Tho city), Long Xuyen and Chau Doc (An Giang province) Nga Nam and Ca Mau (Ca Mau province), Vinh Thuan (Kien Giang province), Nga Nam (Soc Trang province) Considering the correlation between the floating markets, Cai Rang, Long Xuyen and Nga Nam have large scale (≥ 150 boats/canoes) Cai Be, Vinh Thuan, Chau Doc, Phong Dien, Ca Mau, Cai Nuoc, Ba Ngan, Tra On have small scale (<150 boats/canoes) Considering the latitude, the floating markets are mainly distributed in the south of Hau River By the meridians, the floating markets are distributed mainly in the area near the middle of the delta The old floating markets are mainly distributed along the Tien River, Hau River and the canal connecting the Hau River with the Nga Nam area of Soc Trang Floating markets are large scale in the garden Floating markets operate throughout the year The number of boats participating in the floating market has changed a certain quarter and time From January to April, the number of boats taking place in the floating markets have been on the upward trend and this trend is still maintained from May to August From September to December, the bustle

of trading activities in the market tends to decrease At the time of Doan Ngo and Nguyen Dan Tet holiday, the number of boats participating in floating markets was higher than in other periods Early morning is the time of purchase

activity is most crowded Compared to the floating markets in the 80s and earlier, the floating markets currently have significant changes in trading activities (the correlation between the number of large boats and small boats, between row boats and motor boats, between goods boats of local and outside

of the locality, services, measurement units, how to buy goods, the ability to sell goods)

2.1.3.4 Challenges for floating markets

In the course of theirs existence, floating markets have been facing challenges such as the development of the road network, the development of the market network on the shore, the number of people buying and selling at floating markets has decreased, the development of the barn system The question is, in the future, the floating market is lost? Many researchers believe that trade on river is a typical cultural characteristic of the people living in the river environment Floating markets are one of many cultural elements contributing to the cultural diversity of the Vietnamese people, so floating markets will continue to exist It is also said that if there is no interest, investment for conservation and development of sustainable tourism, some floating markets will be lost In our opinion, when local people no longer need

to consume commodities on floating markets, people no longer have the need to buy on floating markets, local authorities are not interested in floating markets, the floating markets lost

2.2 THE ABILITY AND CURRENT STATUS OF EXPLOITING FLOATING MARKETS FOR TOURISM PURPOSES IN THE MEKONG DELTA

2.2.1 Factors affecting the ability of floating market exploitation for tourism

2.2.1.1 Location and access ability

The location of the floating markets affect the distance from them to the visitor center and the degree of accessibility of the approach The two leading customer centers in the region and adjacent areas are Can Tho city, Ho Chi Minh city In relation to Ho Chi Minh city about the distance, Cai Be, Cai Rang, Tra On, Long Xuyen, Phong Dien and Ba Ngan floating markets are most convenient for tourists because it is less time consuming for moving compared to other floating markets For the sphere of influence of Can Tho city, Cai Rang, Phong Dien, Tra On, Ba Ngan, Nga Nam, Cai Be, Long Xuyen floating markets are most suitable for tourism compared to other floating markets on the distance factor In terms of accessibility, the floating markets in the Mekong Delta are located near the urban center (town, town, city), where many roads meet, so visitors can go to the floating markets with many roads

On the waterways, the floating market are located on the main lines or the confluence of many tributaries and, therefore, the cruise ships can access the floating markets from different locations

2.2.1.2 Tourism resources

- Natural tourism resources Natural element is able to attract tourists in

the floating market is the river In general, river in floating market area is