Chương III Luật Du lịch 2017: Tài nguyên du lịch, phát triển sản phẩm du lịch và quy hoạch về du lịch

Chapter III

TOURISM RESOURCES, TOURISM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND MASTER PLAN FOR TOURISM

Section 1. TOURISM RESOURCES

Article 15. Categorization of tourism resources

1. Natural tourism resources consist of natural landscapes, geology, geomorphology, climate, hydrography, ecosystems and other natural elements which can be used for tourism purposes.

2. Cultural tourism resources include cultural, historical, revolutionary, archaeological, and architectural relics; traditional cultural values; festivals, folk literature and other cultural values; creative works by human beings which can be used for tourism purposes.

Article 16. Surveys into tourism resources

1. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall take charge and cooperate with the People’s Committees of provinces and relevant regulatory authorities in surveying, assessing and categorizing tourism resources, which is the basis for the formulation of a master plan for tourism development; managing and using tourism resources, upholding their values and developing tourism products.

2. The Government shall elaborate this Article.

Article 17. Responsibilities for management, protection and use of tourism resources

1. The State shall introduce policies on management, protection, enhancement and proper use of tourism resources and upholding their value nationwide to develop sustainable tourism.

2. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall take charge and cooperate with the Ministries, ministerial agencies and the People’s Committees of provinces in the management, protection, enhancement and proper use of tourism resources and upholding of their value.

3. Organizations, individuals and local communities managing tourism resources shall be responsible for protecting, investing and enhancing tourism resources, enabling tourists to visit and appreciate tourism resource values; cooperating with a competent tourism authority in protection and use of tourism resources for other economic targets.

4. Tourists, organizations and individuals doing tourism business and local communities shall be responsible for protecting tourism resources.

Section 2. TOURISM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Article 18. Creation and development of tourism products

1. Organizations and individuals may create, develop, and trade in tourism products that meet tourists’ demand and conform to regulations of law.

2. The Government shall introduce assistance policies to develop key tourism products in each area and nationwide according to each stage, which must meet market demand according to the assessment and categorization of tourism resources.

3. The State shall specify measures for keeping tourists safe from tourism products that may threaten the tourists’ health or lives;

Article 19. Development of community-based tourism

1. Individuals and households in the area where community-based tourism is developed shall be provided with incentives and encouraged to provide accommodation and food services; guide tourists to visit and experience culture and lifestyle in their local communities; produce goods, traditional crafts and provide other services for tourists.

2. The People’s Committees of provinces shall research into and select places that have the potential for development of community-based tourism; introduce assistance policies on initial necessary equipment and provide training in tourism services for individuals and households in the community participating in the provision of tourism services; assist in promotion of community-based tourism products.

3. The People’s Committees of communes where community-based tourism is developed shall propagate, disseminate and raise community’s awareness; take responsibility for demonstration of the community’s commitment to preservation of cultural identity, protection of environment, civilized behaviors towards tourists.

4. Organizations and individuals developing community-based tourism shall be responsible for respecting culture and lifestyle, and share benefits obtained from tourism with communities.

Section 3. MASTER PLAN FOR TOURISM

Article 20. Rules for formulation of master plan for tourism development

1. Conform to the strategy and master plan for national socio-economic development, defense and security; strategy for tourism industry development and other master plans that have been approved by a competent authority in each period.

2. Properly and effectively use tourism resources and preserve historical - cultural relics, natural heritages towards sustainable development associated with environmental protection and climate change adaptation.

3. Ensure connectivity between areas within a region and between regions nationwide; make full use of the existing infrastructure; develop potential and advantage of each region and area therein in order to develop tourism products.

4. Minimize negative impacts of tourism development on economy, society and environment.

5. Ensure the participation of organizations, local communities and individuals during formulation of master plans; protect both interests of the State and those of communities, interests of regions with those of areas therein.

6. Ensure scientificness and apply modern technology during formulation of master plan; meet standards and regulations and conform to national socio-economic development and international integration requirements.

Article 21. Contents of the master plan for tourism development

1. Roles and advantages of tourism in the socio-economic development of the country, regions and local governments;

2. Analysis and assessment of potential and current status of tourism resources and environment, tourism markets; capacity for attracting investment and resources for tourism development;

3. Viewpoints and objectives for tourism development; forecast targets and provide justifications for alternatives for tourism development;

4. Plan for the organization of the tourism space and tourism infrastructure system.

5. Plan for the development of tourism products and market;

6. Plan for investment in tourism development; determine the list of prioritized areas and projects and investment capital.

7. Plan for the protection of tourism resources and environment in accordance with law.

8. Proposed policies and measures for tourism management and development according to the master plan.

Article 22. Formulation, management and implementation of the master plan for tourism development

1. The formulation of master plan for tourism development must comply with rules and contents of formulation of the master plan for tourism development prescribed in Article 20 and Article 21 of this Law and relevant regulations of law.

2. The Government shall provide for the formulation, management and implementation of the master plan for tourism development.