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KKK_7. Tourism

7.1 Synopsis

According to local stakeholders, KKKNP did not really play a role in tourism in the past. This is mainly attributed to the lack of tourism facilities and services, infrastructure and roads. 

KKKNP offers intact nature, a very interesting biodiversity and plenty of content for qualified nature tourism with especially a very rare primate species, which is perfectly suitable as a unique selling point. The unique biodiversity, including the world’s largest population of highly endangered primates Grey-Shanked Douc Langurs (Pygathrix cinerea) and the Northern Yellow-Cheeked Crested Gibbon (Nomascus annamensis) is of outstanding value for ecotourism. As many nature destinations around the world show, animal species are always excellent for attracting tourists, getting them interested in nature and sensitizing them. Nature conservation and scientific projects related to the species are other very interesting topics which can be used for sustainable tourism development, which contributes to the permanent protection of nature instead of destroying it. The categorization of KKKNP as UNESCO biosphere reserve is another important factor to be recognized by the global tourism industry.

The SGP packages (tourism/ eco-tourism) are designed to support capacity building within the AHP management, local communities and the private sector and link market development to the conservation of cultural heritage and traditions, and the resilience of the ecosystem per se by:

7.2 Location and Accessibility

The capital of Gia Lai province is Pleiku city with a population of over 200,000 people and a focal point for airports and roads. Domestic and foreign tourists can easily access the park through the air and road system.

7.2.1 Airport

The airport system that helps visitors to the park can be found in Annex 12

7.2.2 Railway Traffic

It is not convenient for visitors to go to the park by train.

7.2.3 Road Traffic

See in Annex 12

7.2.4 Access to KKKNP from Pleiku city

Traveling by motorbike/private car: about 50 km far from Pleiku city center to the headquarters of KKKNP Management Board, this is the most convenient way to move to the park.

By bus: Duc Long bus runs Pleiku – An Khe route, then you get off at Mang Yang bus stop. It is about 20 km far from Mang Yang to KKKNP, you can take a motorbike taxi/taxi depending on your choice.

Traveling by Taxi: Some reputable taxi companies in Gia Lai such as Suntaxi, Mai Linh, Hung Nhan, etc. are only suitable for groups of 4-6 people.

7.3 Existing Tourism Masterplans and Studies

The park has built and submitted to Gia Lai Provincial People’s Committee for approval the project of developing eco-tourism in KKKNP to 2020 and vision to 2030. This project was approved by Gia Lai PPC according to Decision No. 637/QD-UBND dated 17/8/2017. However, the project has been still under development. In the SFMP, it was decided to continue to review and adjust the project.

7.4 Legal Framework for Tourism Activities in the PA, incl. Certification and Licensing

There are requirements to be complied for implementing tourism activities in the park. Legal documents at the local and central levels related to the Park and tourism activities are shown in Annex 13

7.5 Destination Management, Associations, Organizations, Stakeholders

Organization of management activities and tourism planning in Vietnam is unified by the tourism industry according to the following system:

In addition, the park is under the management of other related parties including:

7.6 Main Attractions and Unique Selling Propositions

7.6.1 Biodiversity

Refer section 2.4.1. for description and details.

7.6.2 Landscape and tourist attractions

KKKNP is located at an altitude of 300 m to 1,748 m above sea level with a complex terrain divided by 3 main river and stream systems that create 3 river basins including Ba river basin, Dak Pne river basin and Ayun River basin.

All three river basins have created dissected terrain with diverse flora according to altitude and geomorphology, which have formed many specific areas promising tourism potential including the fields of forest tourism, nature landscape and community culture tourism.

The tourist attractions being introduced at KKKNP include:

Sites for campsites and picnics during the day include: flower garden and camping area beside ecological lake, pine hill area, love fork campsite, ancient banyan tree, area 8/3 and deer park 1,2.

Locations for picnics in the forest (organizing games) and environmental education for pupils and students include: deer park 1,2, pine hill area, love fork campsite, ancient banyan tree and langur shack.

The unique features of KKKNP that form typical eco-tourism products combined with environmental education activities are suitable for many ages and tourists.

7.6.3 Cultural diversity ethnic groups

The communes in the buffer zone of KKKNP are mainly inhabited by ethnic minorities with more than 80% of the total population consisting of 8 ethnic groups. Among them, Bahnar ethnic group dominates. The Kinh community’s participation rate is very low, mainly related to service and commercial sectors.

The total labor force in 2021 of the communes in the buffer zone is 4,474 people, accounting for nearly 50% of the total population of the region. 95% of the labor forceis employed in the agricultural sector, 1.3% in the forestry and other sectors. Other industries including handicrafts and commerce account for a very low percentage.

The Bahnar community is the absolute dominant indigenous population group in the KKKNP area, so activities of the Bahnar people will be representative of the entire region. The cultural activities here are mainly Bahnar traditional festivals, including festivals such as:

In addition to traditional cultural activities, people often participate in a number of cultural and sports exchange activities such as soccer, volleyball, and art. This is also one of the opportunities for communities to exchange information and culture. In general, these activities of the local people are very limited and not organized regularly.

The Bahnar live in a village organization with about 40 households in each village. Each village has a Rong house which is the common communal house for all activities of the village. The Rong house becomes a cultural symbol and represents the community’s activities (Figure 12).

Figure 12. Bahnar people always wear traditional costumes during their festivals

(Sources: https://vietnam.vnanet.vn/)

Figure 13. Tourists and Gong practice in Bahnar villages

(Sources: Duc Thuy, vov.vn)

The potential tourism culture is expressed through the Gong culture, grave leaving festival, wedding ceremony with the participation of the community (Figure 13 and Figure 14). These community cultural features have had signs of mixing with other cultural features and gradually disappearing.

In addition to the Bahnar ethnic group, the buffer zone of the park is also home to 7 ethnic minorities migrating from the Northwest region. The Nung, Tay, Dao, Hmong ethnic groups migrate freely in small numbers, so they have not really affected the general culture of the local Bahnar community.

Figure 14. Bahnar women Chieng team of Kbang district

(Source: Duc Thuy, vov.vn)

7.6.4. Research tourism

Visitors who choose daytime tourism to combine many objectives such as research, learning and sightseeing are arranged to join the 5.6 km long route located on 2 sub-areas 436A and 433 belonging to the administrative service subdivision and the ecological restoration subdivision.

For visitors participating in the eco-tourism route of the 1m wide patrol trail, the duration of this journey is from 5 to 6 hours, mainly on foot. The road is convenient and has been invested with concrete road and 3m wide gravel road to the forest gate.

Joining this tour, visitors will have chance to visit the administrative center complex of KKKNP including: head office, physical models, animal specimen room, plant specimen room, orchid garden. Visitors can also visit, admire landscape and listen about natural interpretations of the strange and sacred ancient banyan trees of hundred years old with majestic roots spreading out on all sides. They can walk on the rocks to view the forest landscape with interlaced vining plant along the peaceful and poetic Dak H’Ngoi stream to conquer H’ngoi waterfall. Besides, visitors can have an opportinity to observe some animals such as flying squirrels, flying weasels, civets, wild chickens, wild boars, monkeys and some birds, etc.

Along the route, guests can conquer the top of the white rock at the altitude of 1,400 m. From this location, visitors can observe the panoramic view of the beautiful mountains and forests and  animals of the Park, especially this is a great place to observe the Grey-shanked Douc langur because this is their feeding route.

Tourists will follow a route with a length of 4 km. The main road is a concrete road 3 m wide, stretch over 2 sub-areas 436A and 432 and belong to the administrative service subdivision. It takes about 3-4 hours for going entire the route. The route is located in the administrative area of the Park, so it has been concreted and is very easy to go. Traveling by car or motorbike is convenient and easy. The implementation time of this route is short, suitable for tourists who have little time to visit. The tour program of this route includes the contents: Visiting the administrative center complex of the Park; Visiting and listening about explanations about plant species at the Botanical Garden; Observing, learning animal behavior and taking souvenir photos of animals such as: Deer, monkey, porcupine, wild boar, etc. raised in a semi-wild environment at the Center for Rescue, Conservation and Creature Development

7.6.5. System of natural waterfalls

The landmarks of waterfall 92 and H’lan waterfall in Krong commune, Kbang district can be accessed by car or motorbike through the ancient Narra Padauk Forest ecosystem and visitors will approach Dak Ko River. Waterfall is located next to Bahnar Indigenous Culture Villages such as Gout Village and Tung Village.

Waterfall 95 is located in Dak Jo Ta commune, Mang Yang district, in the ecological restoration subdivision (Figure 15). Approaching the waterfall, visitors will pass through sub-zones of mixed coniferous and broadleaf evergreen forest in which Po Mu tree species predominate. The waterfall has a height of 45 m and is the largest and most beautiful waterfall in the Park.

Figure 15. Waterfall 95 – The most beautiful waterfall of KKKNP

(Sources: https://digialai.com/du-lich-gia-lai/vuon-quoc-gia-kon-ka-king )

7.6.6. Ecotourism peaks for experience and exploration

Kon Ka Kinh moutain Peak is located at an altitude of 1,748 m, is the highest peak on Pleiku Plateau, known as the roof of Gia Lai province. The access road to the peak is from Dak Hro village, Dak Rong commune, Kbang district, along a trail of 19.5 km. Thus, visitors can experience many special primeval forest habitats that have not been affected by humans with various forest types, waterfalls and landscape. Kon Ka Kinh mountain peak is covered with clouds all year, visitors will have the opportunity to approach the very typical flora on the top of the mountain; their bodies are normally curved in many different shapes and covered with green moss. If it is sunny, visitors can observe the whole space overlapping with the vast mountains and forests and with a good binoculars, visitors can observe Pleiku city and surrounding urban areas.

7.7 Public Tourism Infrastructure in the PA Including Budgets

KKKNP builds and organizes tourism activities in the direction of creating tourism products for scientific research, ecology, culture, history and mountain exploration with the main responsible unit being the Center for Environmental Education and Forest Environmental Services (CEEFES). The Center is assigned the mission of saving flora and fauna, researching, teaching and preserving biodiversity for the flora and fauna of AHP and surrounding areas. The Ecotourism mission is associated with the center’s activities. The center provides guides for visitors on knowledge of the garden ecosystem and introduce tourist attractions and routes. CEEFES plays the role of receiving and introducing visitors to tourism, sightseeing, learning and research activities at the Park.

Up to now, the tourism service mission has not been organized at the Park. The activities that have been carried out only include documenting and statistical information on the number of tourists visiting the park.

7.7.1 Human resources

The CEEFES has a 6 staffs who mainly serve tourism services and biodiversity conservation tasks. All of the staff have expertise in forest ecosystems and biodiversity conservation. They are also responsible for activities to serve and provide ecotourism services.

The center has a sales and service department with 3 employees in charge of assessing the tourist market, selling souvenirs and serving ecotourism. Due to the impacts of Covid 19, from the end of 2019 to December 2021, CEEFES halted organising ecotourism activities.

The center has established an ecotourism activities framework which consists of instructions, introduction, information, tourist guides and safety and protection guidelines.

Every year, all staff of CEEFES participate in professional training courses on tourism skills organized by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Gia Lai province.

7.7.2 Infrastructure equipment

KKKNP and the communes in the buffer zone are using the national grid while the forest management and protection stations in the remote border areas use the solar power system. Clean water is being supplied according to the common water use system of the whole districts of Dak Doa, Kbang and Mang Yang. Areas outside residential areas use water from wells, springs and rainwater.

The communication system has completed phone coverage on most of the park. Popular phone networks Viettel, Mobiphone and Vinaphone provide phone services, wireless network technologies (3G and 4G) to over 80% of the total area of the park.

7.7.3 Accommodation

KKKNP has a buffer zone of communes belonging to 3 large districts of Gia Lai, namely Mang Yang district, Kbang district and Dak Doa district. Tourist routes mainly access the Park from Mang Yang district, Kbang district.

Both Mang Yang and Kbang districts are large districts located on the traffic road connecting Road 14 along the Central Highlands to National Highway 1 along the coast throughout Vietnam. Therefore, they have formed a bustling urban area with a system of motels, hotels and restaurants and quite developed F&B services. Visitors have many options to stay in Kbang town or Kon Dong town to access the tourist attractions of the Park.

In addition, Pleiku city – the capital of Gia Lai province, 36 km far from the Park is also a good choice for visitors to use the accommodation services before and after approaching the Park.

In the guest house area of the National Park, there are currently a total of 13 rooms with a capacity of more than 50 guests, but this facility has not been exploited for profit. At the attractions in the forest, there are still no comfortable rooms, but there is also an animal research station that can serve more than 10 tourists overnight in the forest.

Tourists coming to the National Park have to organize their own stay at the accommodation facilities in Kon Dong town in Mang Yang district or in Pleiku city. Accommodation time is often short because of only daytime visiting. Only a very small number of scientific researchers and students from Universities and Colleges stay for a longer period of time for the purpose of research and study.

7.8 Main Tourism Products

Up to November 2021, the CEEFES has started collecting service fees with the price of 60,000 VND for adults and 20,000 VND for children to use the services and visit the Park. However, the number of visitors in the year is still low, about 2,000 visitors/year. The center has not directly organized the reception of visitors nor offer logistics for tourists. CEEFES has developed some packages (refer 7.6.2, 7.6.4, 7.6.5) which have not been fully promoted.

7.9 Tourism Businesses and Income Generation

KKKNP is located in a strategic position connecting the plateau and plain, between two large residential areas: Pleiku of Gia Lai province and Quy Nhon of Binh Dinh province.

Some tour operators that organize tours to the National Park or publish information about National Park tourism on their website are shown below:

Although KKKNP has a lot of tourism potential, it is still a destination that has not been effectively exploited for tourism. There are only a few tour operators that organize tours to the Park or only provide basic information about the Park but do not operate the tour.

KKKNP tourism outreach services are determined through two main directions: Mang Yang direction for the purpose of visiting the Park to take care of flora and fauna and research; and Kbang direction for the purpose of ethnic cultural tourism with tourist attractions such as Bahnar village tourism and nearby waterfall spots. The number of tourists approaching the National Park from Mang Yang district can be statistical, but the number of tourists approaching the park from Kbang district cannot be counted because tourist approaches are Bahnar villages which are outside the buffer zone of KKKNP.

Currently, tourism activities are mostly spontaneous and mainly organized by young groups of tourists. They travel by motorbike from Pleiku or Quy Nhon to the National Park for the purpose of discovering and experiencing nature.

In particular, tourism statistics of the Park are incomplete due to the fact that tourism activities are not formally organized because of the impact of covid-19 epidemics. Therefore, it is estimated that each year the number of visitors to KKKNP is about 2,000 people. Tourists are mainly Vietnamese people and the number of foreign tourists has not been counted because there are only single tourists and small groups of tourists.

7.10 Market Data

Since the data source on visitors to KKKNP is still limited in small numbers, the market data is little and limited.

7.11 Tourism Marketing and Promotion

Currently, websites promoting KKKNP include:

It can be seen that information about tourism for KKKNP has not been promoted on popular social networks such as Facebook, Instagram… even though these platforms are free and very common.

7.12 Negative Impacts of Tourism

There is not enough data to make statistics and to draw conclusions about negative impacts of tourism on the KKKNP.

7.13 Best Practices/ Ecotourism (if available)

At present, there is no data available in KKKNP.

  • Thua Thien Hue Union of Science and Technology Associations (HUSTA)
  • 06 Phan Boi Chau, Vinh Ninh, Hue city, Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam
  • hodacthaihoang@husta.vn
  • +84234.3845091 – 3898871
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