18127 annex document cbt phase i 2

The latter includes descriptions of formal and informal meetings with the communes and of the survey instruments commune, hamlet leaders, households, tour operators, visitors as well as

Thoải mái

(Make yourself at home.)

CbT Development in Minh Hóa

Annex Document for Phase I Activities and Basis Document for the Phase II working proposal

(view on Do and Ta Vong, Trọng Hoá, from the road)

Sai Gon/ Phong Nha/ Dong Hoi, 25th of August 2012

i

Content

List of Figures iii

List of Tables iv

1 Brief Introduction 1

2 Methods 2

2.1 First Visits Trọng Hoá and Đân Hoá Communes 2

2.2 Launch Meeting 3

2.3 Hamlet Leader and Household Surveys 6

2.4 Tour Operator Surveys 12

2.5 Visitor Surveys 15

3 Tourism Inventory 20

3.1 Introduction to the Minh Hoá District 20

3.2 Dân Hoá 23

3.2.1 Population, Access and Infrastructure 24

3.2.2 Distances and Access 25

3.2.3 Attractions/Activities 26

3.2.4 Images from Đân Hoá 29

3.2.5 Communication 31

3.2.6 Potential Obstacles/ Threats 31

3.3 Trọng Hoá 32

3.3.1 Population, Access and Infrastructure 33

3.3.2 Distances and Access 34

3.3.3 Attractions/Activities 35

3.3.4 Images from Trọng Hoá 37

3.3.5 Communication 40

4 Culture and Traditions 41

4.1 Khua Customs and Traditions 41

4.2 Máy Customs and Traditions 44

5 Village Households’ Results 46

5.1 Household Characteristics and Perceptions of Touristic Activities 46

5.2 Eating and Drinking 50

5.3 Housing 51

5.4 Visitor Behavior 53

5.5 Other/ Daily Life 54

ii

6 Tour Operator Survey Results 55

6.1 The Sample 55

6.2 Community and Cultural Activities in the PNKB NP Region 56

6.3 Experience with Community-based / Cultural Activities 57

7 Visitor Survey Results 60

7.1 Visitor Profile 60

7.2 CbT – Perceptions and Attitudes 63

8 Contact List and Survey/ Interview Participants (For Internal Use Only) 65

iii

List of Figures

Figure 1 Commune and hamlet leader interview guideline 8

Figure 2 Household survey interview questionnaire 10

Figure 3 Household survey handicraft development – CbT section 11

Figure 4 Visitor survey 19

Figure 5 Overview map of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang Region 20

Figure 6 Map of the tourism sites of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang Region 21

Figure 7 Images HCM East and Highway 12A 23

Figure 8 Households who have heard about tourism so far 47

Figure 9 Households who would be willing to host visitors 49

Figure 10 Households who have space for potential visitors 49

Figure 11 Example of a floor plan of a common house in Trọng Hoá or Đân Hoá 52

Figure 12 Visitors’ reasons for visiting the PNKB NP Region 61

Figure 13 Where visitors spent the night before arriving to the PNKB NP Region 61

Figure 14 Modes of transport to PNKB 62

Figure 15 Visitors perceived importance of selected criteria when staying at

a local family household 64

Figure 16 Visitors perceived importance of selected activities when staying

at a local family household 64

Figure 17 Number of nights that visitors could imagine to spend at a homestay 65

iv

List of Tables

Table 1 Working Schedule Phase I 2

Table 2 Hamlet leader and household interview schedule 6

Table 3 Tour operators participating in a survey questionnaire 12

Table 4 Data collection of the visitor survey 15

Table 5 Đân Hoá: Overview over population, access and infrastructure 24

Table 6 Trọng Hoá: Overview over population, access and infrastructure 33

Table 7 Household sample characteristics 46

Table 8 Main income activities of surveyed households 50

Table 9 Tour operators selection criteria for homestay/ community-based

tourism activities 57

Table 10 Experienced difficulties in organizing homestays by tour operators 58

Table 11 Potential negative impacts of CbT activities on the local community 59

Table 12 Visitor sample characteristics 60

Table 13 Visitors’ reasons for not staying overnight in PNKB 62

Table 14 Visitors travel partners 63

1

1 Brief Introduction

This annex serves as a supplement to a following report on Phase I of the GIZ’s community-based tourism efforts in the Trọng Hoá and Đân Hoá communes in the northern PNKB NP bufferzone district of Minh Hoá It shall provide interested readers with detailed descriptions on the activities carried out so far and on the methods applied for information collection The latter includes descriptions of formal and informal meetings with the communes and of the survey instruments (commune, hamlet leaders, households, tour operators, visitors) as well as their appraisal A discussion of the results and a conclusion/upcoming working plan will be delivered in the subsequent working proposal of Phase II of the CbT process

Annex outline:

 An array of interviews were held and questionnaires gathered from stakeholder groups, including the commune, hamlet leaders, village households, visitors and tour operators

 the initial visits paid to the Trọng Hoá and the Đân Hoá communes as well as the methods applied for the surveying process

 piloting of the handicraft survey

 interviews/survey findings resulting in a tourism inventory (though not

comprehensive), including attractions, infrastructure/access, communication, potential threats

 tourism inventory:

o attractations/activities

o access/infrastructure

o culture: customs and traditions of Khua

o images to get a first impression

26.7 Th Field visit Dân Hoá: Ha Vi and Ba Looc, Trọng Hoá: Pa Choong and

Pa Choong, Ra Mai: hamlet + household survey

27.7 Fr

30.7 Mo

31.7 Tu Field visit Trọng Hoá: Do, Sy, Cha Cap, Lom K.Chom: village head

surveys and landscape attractions

1.8 We

2.8 Th finish data collection tour operator survey

3.8 Fr review of the visitor survey

6.8 Mo

Visitor surveys Paradise Cave and Tourism Centre Phong Nha

7.8 Tu

8.8 We

9.8 Th Field visit Dân Hoá: K’Ai, K’Vang, Bai Dinh, (Cha Lo): village head

surveys and landscape attractions

17.8 Fr Starting Annex writing

It is to note that any dates indicated as, for instance, ‘month 5’ refer to the lunar and not

to the Gregorian calendar For a conversion of dates, the reader is referred to the website

http://www.informatik.uni-leipzig.de/~duc/amlich/JavaScript/vncal_js.html?

yy=2012&mm=8

2.1 First Visits Trọng Hoá and Đân Hoá Communes

On the 13th of July, a first visit was paid to the Trọng Hoá (La Trọng 2) commune This was to introduce the suggested CbT (and handicraft) activities to the members of the Commune and to receive a very first feedback as well as to introduce the team members

to the relevant local authorities In details:

3

1) Meeting with the local communes:

Trọng Hoá commune (in La Trọng 2):

o Present: Mr Tiên (Chairman of the CPC), Mr Hô Mi (Social and Cultural Affairs CPC) + Băc (Vice-Chairman of the CPC)

o Scheduling of a major CbT/handicraft meeting for the 18.7 in the CPC building, with participation of the Trọng Hoá and the Đân Hoá commune representatives, evolving around CbT and handicraft development as well as presentation of the working plans

o Questionnaires for local authorities were handed over in order to allow them for time for their completion

Đân Hoá commune (in Y-Leeng):

o Present: Secretary of the CPC and Mr.Tuân

o Informed about the intended launch meeting

o Questionnaires for local authorities were handed over in order to allow them for time for their completion

2) Survey piloting

 The handicraft survey (including CbT components) was tested in three households in La Trọng 2, help was provided by the chairlady of the Women’s Union, Mrs Toàn; first pilots indicated strong support for CbT participation; it became apparent that the neither the term ‘tourism’ nor the term ‘community-based tourism’ are being understood Explanations/meanings were provided

 One village head survey was piloted with Mr Bình, village head of La Trọng 2

The day followed a slight revision of the hamlet leader survey (to be provided in section 2.3.) Commune and hamlet leader surveys were structured identically, except for the fact that the former sought for a more comprehensive overview of all villages existing in each commune (e.g households, population, ethnicity, access to water and electricity, transport access)

2.2 Launch Meeting

On the 18th of July, a launch meeting was held at the CPC building in La Trọng 2 which was to officially introduce upcoming handicraft and CbT development activities and the team members as well as to receive a first feedback and input on forthcoming activities

of commune and village representatives

An array of stakeholder groups were presented at the workshop: commune leaders and staff, hamlet leaders, the Women’s Union, the Youth Union from both the Trọng Hoá and the Đân Hoá communes, Mr Xuan (Director of Van Xuan Handicrafts, Đồng Hới),

Mr Thanh (PPMU at the National Park), Dr Jens Kallabinski (CTA GIZ) and five staff members of the GIZ In total the launch meeting was attended by 35 people, including

 Introduction and opening by the chairman of the CPC Trọng Hoá

 Introduction GIZ and handicraft/CbT development, CTA GIZ

 Presentation of initial survey results from the souvenir development in the Trọng Hoá and Đan Hoá communes carried out during three field visits in late May/early June 2012 and future working plan handicrafts by Mrs.Ngoc Anh

 Presentation on tourism and CbT development, initial ideas on a future working plan, Chau/Anna

 Introduction Van Xuan Handicraft, Mr Xuan

 Feedback on presentations by participants, including Q&A

 Discussion groups on handicraft and CbT development (initial impressions, perceived threats/ opportunities)

During the morning session, it was particularly sought for feedback on the planned CbT and handicraft development activities in the two communes, including first impressions held and clarifications/ explanations on terms/ ideas needed by the participants, as well

as concerns held and willingness and motivation for future participation and support The following comments were made:

Generally:

 There should be a combination of handicraft and CbT development taking place

to mutually strengthen the activities and to share resources

 Handicrafts (and their making) could be showcased to CbT visitors, these should

also be made available for direct purchase

 There are plenty of waterfalls worthwhile seeing for visitors, picnics can be

arranged, traditions and weddings interesting to get to know for visitors

 The concept of CbT is still partially unclear, no practical example was presented yet

 Some of the participants have heard about CbT beforehand, one mentioned the example of ‘city people’ wanting to experience rural life nowadays, they become part of their daily life, eat and drink together, ethnic minorities in the north and their involvement in CbT activities

 codes of conduct for visitors are needed, explanations why certain things are not allowed should be provided

 Visitors are very welcome and local authorities committed to support the

community as well as project team

 Sapa was proposed for a potential study trip

 Making the team aware that clear planning is needed, e.g.: how many households will be involved, capacities needed, products produced, transport and access, electricity, bathrooms/toilets, if possible to be integrated into the Master Plan, but: everybody agrees that CbT is feasible

 Advertisement is needed (in newspapers or on a website)

 The selection of villages should be based on the following criteria: traditional houses on stilts + food + handicrafts

 Commune interviews on CbT development: Chau/ Anna

 Train the trainer: how to conduct the handicraft surveys with the households, Ngoc Anh/ Thinh

The following feedback was provided by the local authorities on the proposed CbT activities during the interviews:

 Involvement of border police and commune as well as more involvement

proposed with reference to the National Park (and their representatives)

 CbT should/ needs to be recognized as a socio-economic development activity in

the Community Plan

 Recommended villages by Dân Hoá: Bai Dinh, Ha Vi, K-Ai and Y-Leeng

 Recommended villages Trọng Hoá: Lom K.Chom/ Pa Choong, Ra Mai, Ka Ooc and Ong Tu

6

2.3 Hamlet Leader and Household Surveys

In total, 9 informal interviews were held with hamlet leaders as well as 9 household surveys were conducted between the 26th of July and the 10th of August (Table 2; Figure

1, 2) Furthermore, questions referring to CbT development have been added to the handicraft survey which was conducted by commune staff in more than 300 households

in Trọng Hoá and Đân Hoá in July and August

The field visits of the team to Đân Hoá were accompanied by Mr Tiến (Vice Chairman, Social and Cultural Affairs Dân Hoá) on the 26th and by Mr Hồ Sy San and Tran Văn Trúng (‘Extension Officers’) as well as by Tuân (responsible for the Commune for Ba-Ooc) on the 27th of July who also joined the team during the second visit on the 31.7./1.8 Mr Khà joined in for the 9./10.8 to K’ai, Bai Dinh and Cha Lo

Table 2 Hamlet leader and household interview schedule

Villages Hamlet Leaders Household Surveys

of Mr Khăm)

Mr Khăm

31.7 Trọng Hoá

Lom K Chom Hồ Biên

Ra Mai Hồ Kinh (Commune

Overall, only a low number of household surveys were held After interviewing around five households, it became evident that most (if not all) answers were repetitive,

7

irrespective of the village or commune that the interviewees were living in Despite the low number of responses, the team was able to generate a good overview over preconceptions held by villagers about tourism and touristic activities as well as it allowed the project team to get to know local community members and to receive a first glimpse into their household (infrastructure)

During the interviews the issue repeatedly arose that interviewees did not know how to classify the word ‘beautiful’ When the interviewers asked about attractions surrounding the village which could be worthwhile a visit, there seemed little understanding about what an ‘attraction’ could be and why visitors could find the landscape and the village

‘beautiful’ or the ‘food’ and ‘village culture’ interesting

During the translation process of the surveys (particularly during the handicraft survey conducted by commune staff), it became apparent that, at times, difficulties arose in translating the questionnaire instrument (Vietnamese into Khua or Máy and vice versa) This referred not necessarily to the fact that there was a bias in translation, but rather it seemed that the intermediary was providing answers for the interviewee when the interviewee as re-checking whether or not a question was understood right and whether

or not the ‘right’ answer was given

Much of the tourism inventory (section 3) is informed by the interviews held with the commune and the hamlet leaders Findings/ results are, thus, not separately listed

8 Figure 1 Commune and hamlet leader interview guideline.

9

10 Figure 2 Household survey interview questionnaire

11

Figure 3 Household survey handicraft development – CbT section

12

2.4 Tour Operator Surveys

Tour operators were initially approached during a ‘Responsible Tourism Workshop’ held on the 25th of July in Hanoi General managers, department heads or other tour operator representatives were briefed on the topic/ project area and on the current progress made Furthermore, they were then handed a hard copy of the survey and kindly asked to provide an e-mail address to which a soft copy could be sent to in the forthcoming days Two days later, 10 e-mails were sent out to direct contacts for completion, with a reminder following for those respondents who have not completed the survey after five days In total, 8 questionnaires were gathered between the 30.7 and the 7.8., including one one-on-one interview held with Oxalis Adventure Tours in Phong Nha (Table 3)

Table 3 Tour operators participating in a survey questionnaire

Viet Hung Trade and Tourist Ltd Co Đồng Hới

Oxalis Adventure Tours (one-on-one) Phong Nha

A survey sample is provided in Figure 4

A minor limitation arose with question 3 of the survey (‘What are your target groups?’) There was slight misunderstanding on how percentages had to be provided in the given table, i.e whether each activity should be evaluated separately for domestic and international customers (100% for each row), whether each column should add up to 100% or whether the whole table is to result in 100%

13

14

15

2.5 Visitor Surveys

Between the 6th and the 8th of August, a total number of 48 visitor questionnaires were gathered at the Tourism Centre in Phong Nha as well as at the cave entrance of Thiên Đường (Table 4)

The survey was conducted as a one-on-one interview, except for incidents where the only English-speaking interviewer was approaching non-English speakers Respondents were then merely shortly introduced and handed the questionnaire Most often, the second interviewer was able to help with the translations of the third part of the survey

in which handicraft items and images of Trọng Hoá and Đân Hoá were shown

Table 4 Data collection of the visitor survey

Date Location International visitors (n) Domestic visitors (n)

16

17

18

19 Figure 4 Visitor survey

20

3 Tourism Inventory

3.1 Introduction to the Minh Hoá District

The Minh Hoá district is one out of three provincial districts encompassing parts of the Park or its bufferzone The extension area of the Park (31,070ha), which lies within the borders of the Thuong Hoá and Hoá Son communes, is part of Minh Hoá (Figure 5)

Figure 5 Overview map of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang Region

So far, tourist arrivals to the bufferzone area of the Minh Hoá district are limited Although border crossings from Laos have increased in recent years, only few travelers

or tours lose their way to sites of Đân Hoá or Trọng Hoá, let alone the few travelers who strand in the communes to stay overnight Yet, the communes have much nature, history and rich ethnic minority cultures on offer The Minh Hoá district is largely untapped by tourism despite its attractiveness, largely due to its distance to core sites of the National Park Yet, there are a number of attractions along the way to Đân Hoá and Trọng Hoá which make an ~90km journey, around a 60-75mins drive by car, northwards from these major sites much worthwhile Furthermore, the attractions spread along the way offer good opportunities to combine different routes or activities

Subsequently, some major attractions are outlined which are on the way from the core sites of the Park to the Minh Hoa district (rf also STDP, 2010)

pilot sites

21 Figure 6 Map of the tourism sites of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang Region (STDP, 2010, p.62).

1

2

3

4

22

Khe Gat Airfield:

The Khe Gat Airfield is located along National Highway 15, approximately a 20 mins car drive from the Phong Nha township The site was an existing airstrip during the American War To date, no touristic infrastructure exists along the Highway and it is, thus, vital for accompanying tour guides to know well about the history of the airstrip Cha Noi Cave:

The Cha Loi Cave is situated near National Highway 15 It is relative easy accessible via trail from the Highway It takes about 45 minutes walking one-way to reach the cave entrance The cave is approximately 45 minutes driving from the Phong Nha township and the Chay Lap village The STDP (2010) furthermore highlights the sensitivity of the environment and the cave system and rules/ regulations must be set up for visitors and operators to comply with There are currently no toilet facilities in place (STDP, 2010, p.195)

Tu Lan Cave System:

The Tu Lan cave system is located around 70km’s northwest of the Phong Nha township, in the Tan Hoa commune It is not part of the bufferzone of the Park, yet, the valleys’ mountains which formed four caves in this area as well as a smaller waterfall and an underground river make this valley much worthwhile to visit To date, Oxalis Adventure Tours offers a two-day and a three-day trip to the valley, with other operators also mentioning possibilities for visiting Yet, it is not known whether these are, in fact, currently operating There are currently no toilet facilities in place

Thac Mo/ Dream Waterfalls:

The Thac Mo Waterfalls are on the driving route of National Highway 15 from Khe Ve

to the Phong Nha Area – HCM Highway A parking area for the walking trail to the waterfalls is located just off the HCM Highway The Thac Mo Waterfalls are approximately 45 minutes driving distance from the Phong Nha township The waterfalls are approximately 10 minutes walking distance from the parking area There are currently no tourism activities At present local people use the waterfall for recreation and fishing Key tourism development activities would be swimming, enjoying the natural surroundings and picnicking (STDP, 2010, p.208/209)

1

2

3

4

23

The following images depict the landscape/route along the Ho Chi Minh East and the

Highway 20 towards Minh Hoá

Figure 7 Images HCM East and Highway 12A

3.2 Dân Hoá

The Đân Hoá commune is located around a 75mins car drive from Phong Nha

township It is the westernmost commune of the Minh Hóa district and encompasses 12

villages/ 670 households (most of which are located along or close to Highway 12A)

The commune has a population of around 3.300 people Dân Hóa is considered to be

almost 100% ‘ethnic’, i.e almost all villages comprise of ‘ethnic minority households’

only, most of these belonging to the Bru – Van Kieu (Khuà subgroup; ~50%) and Chút

(May and Sach subgroups; ~35% and 10%

respectively) ethnic minority group

24

3.2.1 Population, Access and Infrastructure

Table 5 Đân Hoá: Overview over population, access and infrastructure

# of households population Accessible

by car

Ethnic minorities Electricity Water

1 Mobile

Network

Foundation of village

1 Each village features 6-7 public taps, including a pipe system, other villages have only access to untreated upstream river water (no pipe system/or broken

pipe system); in April-July some water shortages may arise due to reduced water levels, however, one tap in the village will always have one running-water

tap available

2 During the rainy season in month 8, there might be difficulties in crossing the bridge leading from Bai Dinh to K’Ai and K’Vang during certain days

3 Public tap currently broken, stream water used, around 300-400meters to walk

4

Plans exist for upgrading the (village) road, lack of finances from the Commune

5 Water is currently taken from the river stream, because the pump is broken

6 Province had plans to relocate the village Villages, however, refused to move

7 There can be water shortages in month 3-7

8 Village was relocated from the upper stream, because villagers preferred to stay along the road

25

3.2.2 Distances and Access

from the selected villages to Y-Leeng (commune center):

km distance by car by motorbike on foot accessibility during the year

Ha Vi ~1,5km ~3 mins

Ba Looc ~2km ~15mins ~20mins Accessible on foot year round, access difficult by motorbike/car during month

7+8, inter-village road about to be renewed (currently steep and muddy)

Bai Dinh ~7km ~20mins

K’Ai/K’Vang ~8,5km ~25mins Road existing since 2009, access difficulties during specific days during the

rainy season, crossing the bridge (rf image)

Cha Lo ~15km ~30mins

La Trong 2 ~15km ~20mins

General comments:

 4 wheel drive needed, slow/ careful driving

 Two critical access points for the visited villages: bridge Bai Dinh/ Highway and going to Ba Looc

 There might be days during the rainy season where access to selected villages is restricted

 Motorbike and bicycle access ok

Ba Looc: inter-village path, there are also slight access

difficulties existing along the road, with stretches of uneven dirt road

Bai Dinh/ Highway: Access straight

after heavy rains can be restricted

There should be no difficulties in the

summer

26

3.2.3 Attractions/Activities

Village Attraction/ Activity

Ba Looc

 Setting of the village along the mountain slopes

 Stream to the bottom of the village

 Primary forest and waterfalls: ~1 day to reach on foot

 Walking paths:

Along the river Trekking route to a cave: ~ 2 days to reach on foot

To the mountain top: ~4 hrs to walk

 The view on Ba Looc during the evening (with the lights lit up in the houses)

Bai Dinh  Bai Dinh Historical Site in the Bai Dinh Village, marks important battle during the American war

 Heaven’s Gate (near Cha Lo and Hill 35/37: Cổng Trời (along the road, about 5 minutes to walk from the Hang En viewpoint to the site), small sign along the road informing about the Gate, marking important battles during the American War

 Cha Lo Economic Zone: not much to see or do, rather ‘triste’

Ha Vi  Community Forest, around one hour walk from the village

 Waterfall, around 1hr walk

K’Ai

 Nươc Rung/ ‘Drop of Water’ Waterfall at K’ai: a 3hrs walk from the village, following the river upstream, visible from K’Ai on a clear day, walking along the river banks, partially slippery and medium difficulty to walk

 Around 20 households still living at the waterfall area

 Forest paths to surrounding mountain tops existing

 3hrs to walk to Pơ Mu Waterfall, crossing over to Laos, takes around 3 hours to reach

The market is widely visited, also by people living in the Trọng Hoá commune

Authorities furthermore had the idea to organize picnic nights or campfires together with community members These could take place at the ‘Community Cultural House’, which is most likely to be considered the house of the respective hamlet leader of the village

A few example images of the above mentioned attractions/activities which were visited by the project team during the course of the past month are presented in the following

28

6

Cha Lo Historical Site

Dinh and Cha Lo

5

cave entrance

4

6

On the way to Po Mu/ Dream

Waterfall, turned around after

around a 2hrs walk due to

heavy rains

29

3.2.4 Images from Đân Hoá

At the local market in Y-Leeng At the local market in Y-Leeng

At the local market in Y-Leeng Going to Po Mu Waterfall

Encounters on the way to Po Mu Along the riverbank, towards Po Mu Waterfall

30

On the way to Hang En

Heaven’s Gate Historical Site Cha Lo Historical Site