Inland Waterway Infrastructure - Mekong River cruise promoting factor. Tokyo September 2010

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1 Inland Waterway Infrastructure - Mekong River cruise promoting factor Tokyo September 2010

2 Mekong river system

3 Mekong river system Land and resources: Parts of China, Myanmar and Viet Nam, nearly 1/3 of Thailand and most of Cambodia and Lao PDR. Total land area is square kilometers (2 days of driving at 100 km/h to drive length of the Mekong River-4800 km). Average water flows into the mainstream is 15,000 cubic meters/s Water and biodiversity Agriculture, fishing and forestry employs 85% of the basin population.

4 Mekong river system (con t) Moving People and Goods The rivers are roads in the Mekong Basin. More than 1/3 of riverside populations of Cambodia and Lao PDR live further than 10 km from main road system. Almost the entire length of the river is navigable for nearly 8 months of the year. There are quite many major ports on the Mekong River 80 % of transportation of all goods in the delta in Vietnam is transported by rivers or canals

5 Mekong river in Vietnam area eco system

6 Mekong river in Vietnam area eco system The Mekong's Vietnamese name is Cuu Long, means Nine Dragons for the nine mouths that flow into sea More than 20% of the country population of Vietnam earn their living from on the Mekong The core of this region's economy is the vast rice fields and the huge plantations. The region becomes the Vietnam's highest producer of rice crops, vegetables and fruits thanks to the richness and vastness of this land.

7 Tourism opportunities in the Mekong delta Current status Bringing People Together Tourism has increased with improved trade relations and better transport links. Tourism provides a powerful rationale for preserving ecological, heritage and cultural resources and diversifying community income. Unique natural and cultural attractions to be developed as potential tourist destinations. Interest of ADB, ESCAP, UNESCO and the World Trade Organization in tourism development in the region.

8 Tourism opportunities in the Mekong delta Current status Tourism development has been identified as a significant driver for economic expansion on the river Tourism in the upper Mekong continues to grow. (20,000-25,000 tourist cruise passengers/year between Houei Sai and Luang Prabang). Popular link between Chiang Mai and Luang Prabang. The number of cruises travel upstream to Yunnan and in the south of Lao PDR is also increasing.

9 Tourism opportunities in the Mekong delta Current status In the lower Mekong, better navigability and access to the ocean allow the river to be used for coastal and international cruise liners. Vessels ( ton) can travel upstream to Phnom Penh and vessels (1200 ton) can continue to Siem Reap (except between January and April when water levels are too low). As a result of this accessibility, 71,889 visitors arrived in Cambodia by water in 2008, while in the same year Viet Nam had 157,198 people visiting by boat.

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12 Tourism opportunities in the Mekong delta Vietnam Area The area was mostly marshland and forest Canals were built and a system of transportation was implemented in the maze of water ways in the area. The people in this region are Vietnamese and some people of Khmer, Chinese which makes the variety of religions with cultural diversity

13 Tourism opportunities in the Mekong delta Vietnam Area The majority of Vietnam's fruits come from the many orchards of the Mekong Delta. The greatest variety of fruits is available during the raining season, from June to September in the South, providing great opportunities for on day ecology tours. The architecture along the delta varies from place to place due to the living of farmers and fishermen right on the edge of the rivers or canals on various structures built from whatever materials found.

14 Tourism opportunities in the Mekong delta Vietnam Area Floating markets are held every morning from 5:00 to about 11:00 right on the canals Boats loaded with produce from the Mekong Delta converge to the floating market. They carry mostly fruits but also coconuts, vegetables and fishes. Large floating markets are not complete without its floating restaurants, floating gas stations and an occasional tour boat filled with tourists.

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16 The Mekong River Commission (MRC) The Mekong River Commission (MRC) was established in 1995 by an agreement between the governments of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam. The Cooperation for the Sustainable Development is the target of the four countries with a common interest in jointly managing the shared water resources and developing the economic potential of the river. Since the 1995 Agreement, the Mekong River Commission (MRC) has launched a process to ensure "reasonable and equitable use" of the Mekong River System with the involvement of National line agencies.

17 The Mekong River Commission (MRC) The two upper states of the Mekong River Basin, the People's Republic of China and the Union of Myanmar, are dialogue partners to the MRC. The MRC is funded by contributions from the four member countries and from aid donors. Formal consultation with the donor community is through annual Donor Consultative Group meetings.

18 MRC Navigation Program Transport the agricultural produce of remote farmers; Reduce transport costs; Access schools and hospitals in rural communities; Establish micro-financing and small-scale scale investment schemes; Improve navigation during the flood season; Give women more access to water transport; Increase direct and trickle-down job opportunities.

19 Inland Waterway infrastructure in the Mekong delta Vietnam Area

20 River port network in Mekong delta Vietnam

21 Area access

22 Conclusions and recommendations Conclusions: The Mekong is still a wild river and navigation conditions vary greatly along its length. Waterway is the best and the most efficient way to explore the area Recommendations: Regional and International level: Improve Waterway conditions navigability Develop regional cruise programs Support tourist regional and international companies working in the area

23 Conclusions and recommendations Recommendations (con t): Regional and International level (con t): Focus on environmental problems effecting ecosystem of the downstreams due to economic development projects on the main stream from the upstreams Simplize immigration procedures Improve Waterway conditions navigability Apply vessel tracking service Fleet investment (Direct foreign investment or join venture)

24 Conclusions and recommendations Recommendations National level: Improve administrative procedures for foreign investment Upgrade airport conditions with the connection with other transport modes Prospective tourist locations should be organized by local authorizations to be ready for investment Improve Waterway conditions navigability Apply vessel tracking service Fleet investment

25 Further information

26 Thank you for your attention

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