MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

AND TRAINING

VIETNAM ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

AND TECHNOLOGY

GRADUATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY

-----------------------------

TRAN HUU LONG

STUDY AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON SPATIAL

ORIENTATION PRIORITY SOLUTIONS FOR INTEGRATED

HAI PHONG COASTAL NATURAL RESOURCES

MANAGEMENT

Major: Natural Resources and Environment Geography

Code: 9440220

SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL THESIS IN GEOGRAPHY

HANOI - 2020

This work is completed at:

Graduate University of Sciences and Technology – Vietnam Academy

of Science and Technology.

Scientific instructor 1: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lai Vinh Cam

Scientific instructor 2: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen An Thinh

Reviewer 1: …

Reviewer 2: …

Reviewer 3: ….

The thesis will be presented in front of the Graduate University’s doctoral

thesis evaluation council, meeting at the Graduate University of Sciences

and Technology – Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology at

…………, dated ………….., 2020.

The thesis is available at:

- Library of the Graduate University of Sciences and

Technology

- The National Library of Vietnam

1

PREAMBLE

1. Urgency of the thesis

The coast is the place where the human beings’ activities remain the

most active. The Vietnam coast has so far played the big part in our

economic development, and is the gateway to the sea for international

exchanges. A integrated coastal natural resource management spatial

orientation (IMSO) based on functional zoning (FZ) is considered as an

effective tool which shows specific actions of the Marine Spatial Planning

(MSP), and also an effective tool applied by various countries for their

Integrated natural resource management (INRM), unifying specialized

planning on the same territory, managing and settling conflicts, ensuring

benefits of stakeholders in using coastal natural resources, towards

sustainable development.

Based on the shortcomings in the Hai Phong coastal natural resource

management space, I decided to do my doctoral thesis in Geography, major

in Natural Resources and Environment Geography in “Study and

recommendations on spatial orientation priority solutions for integrated

Hai Phong coastal natural resources management”.

2. Thesis objectives

The thesis is to establish the scientific grounds for functional zoning

and recommend spatial orientation priority solutions for integrated Hai

Phong coastal natural resources management.

3. Main study of the thesis

- Determine the theoretical basis, logical framework, appropriate study

methods for the integrated Hai Phong coastal natural resource management

spatial orientation

- Identify and analyze natural and environment conditions, and local,

socio-economic activities that cause conflicts, trends of natural resource

change in Hai Phong coastal area according to development stages

- Recommend IMSO that should be associated with reasonable and

effective exploitation and use solutions for the sustainable development of

the Hai Phong coastal area.

2

4. Thesis theoretical point

Point 1: The Hai Phong coastal area is a space of strong interaction

between development activities and the natural dynamic impact of the river -

sea formation processes, causing spatial and natural - economic - social

functional differentiation, forming 9 functional zones in 5 integrated natural

resource management spaces.

Point 2: The strong socio-economic development has resulted in

conflicts and inadequacies in the use and exploitation of natural resources,

affecting the management space, requiring effective measures to reorganize

in the direction of synthesis and high feasibility.

5. Scientific and practical significance

a) Scientific significance

The thesis’s findings settle conflicts of integrated use and development

of integrated coastal natural resource management spatial orientation at

province/city level, contributing to rational management and use of the Hai

Phong coastal natural resources.

b) Practical significance

The integrated coastal natural resource management spatial orientation

will add a reasonable scientific basis for managers’ reference in their policy

making, adjusting planning, plan on the integrated Hai Phong coastal natural

resource management spatial orientation after 2020, with a vision to 2045.

CHAPTER 1. THEORETICAL BASIS AND METHODOLOGY

1.1. Overview of works related to the thesis

1.1.1. Foreign works

There are various marine spatial planning systems worldwide (including

coastal space). The original idea of the MSP came about 30 years ago, from

functional zoning at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in the Coral Sea,

Northeast Australia. Through it, people divided its marine space into

functional zones for effective management and use and adapting to the nature

of each zone.

From practical experience and good practices in countries, UNESCO,

in November 2006, organized the first International Conference on the

Marine Spatial Planning. The world has, since then, witnessed an

“explosion” of interest in MPA as a feasible way to manage the sea in

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space, to settle conflicts and increase compatibility in exploitation, use of

marine resources and environment in the context of increasing pressure on

coastal areas and seas.

Belgium has conducted its MSP to exploit the coastal wind energy and

also protect and conserve ecological and biological values of the region at the

request of the European Union with development areas being divided into:

offshore “wind power area”, plan sustainable sand/gravel exploitation sites,

map habitats, protect biodiversity values, and manage land-based activities

which affect the marine environment.

1.1.2. Domestic works

The Vietnam Coastal area is the place where most of the major cities

are located and which play an important role in the overall development of

the country. It is also considered as a driving force for economic

development, capable of developing various industries (tourism, ports,

fisheries, etc.) and attracting investment in the effective socio-economic

development strategies, creating widespread influence to support

development of inland areas (midland and mountainous areas).

The MSP will, therefore, allocate space as scheduled for human

activities in the planned area to achieve short and long-term economic and

social goals.

The integrated Ha Long Bay coastal management project in 2002

carried out by cooperation between Vietnam – USA – IUCM prepared the

Halong Bay Use Functional Zoning map at a ratio of 1:25,000 which is

feasible and consistent with the practice of multi-industrial development of

this coastal area.

JICA (1998) divided the use functional zones in Quang Ninh Coastal

area into 04 major environment areas, consisting of: Special conservation

area, Active management area, Development area.

Within the framework of the project of using counterpart capital in

cooperation with NOAA (USA) during 2011-2013, led by the Ministry of

Natural Resources and Environment (Vietnam Administration of Seas and

Islands) and managed by the Ministry of Science and technology; the

Integrated Quang Ninh - Hai Phong Coastal Management until 2020, one of

the priority activities is to conduct “Use Zoning and make plan on Quang

4

Ninh - Hai Phong Coastal Space Management”.

In Vietnam, about 20 years ago, the conflict over coastal space

management began to be solved from the first State-level project

KHCN.06-07: “Study and develop an integrated Vietnam’s coastal

management, contributing to environmental safety and sustainable

development assurance” carried out by the Sub-institute of Oceanography

in Hai Phong (currently known as Institute of Marine Environment and

Resources)/Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology during 1996-

1999, chaired by Nguyen Chu Hoi, and then projects on the integrated

coastal planning were implemented.

1.1.3. Works in the Hai Phong Coastal area

The Juavanova’s tidal classification study carried out in the late 1960s

and 1970s, the program of Hai Phong coastal general investigation conducted

by Trinh Phung and his colleagues of the Marine Research Institute

during1975-1979, Program 48B carried out by Dang Ngoc Thanh. After

2000, the study findings of the Program KHCN 06-07 on Integrated Coastal

Management conducted by Nguyen Chu Hoi and his colleagues at the Sub-

institute of Oceanography in Hai Phong (Institute of Marine Environment

and Resources) put a beginning for Integrated Coastal Management. The

typical works carried out on my thesis topics include: General investigation

on natural resource consitions, natural resources and environment of Tonkin

Gulf carried out by Nguyen The Tuong et al (2006). Besides, the Hai Phong

coastal area was also studied and evaluated according to the positional

resource approach and development potential developed by Tran Duc Thanh

(2014); works on: MSPO for socio-economic development of Hai Phong

city; Hai Phong Coastal Nature and environment.

1.2. Theoretical and practical basis for integrated natural resource

management spatial orientation

1.2.1. Theoretical and practical basis for coastal spatial functional zoning

Based on the experiences of functional zoning conducted in the region

and in Vietnam, the following principles can be applied:

- Respect the zone’ objectivity: The zone is an objective entity. It is

formed due to the long-term interaction of natural factors and human

impact, following the natural law of energy flows and material exchange

5

- Accept the relative homogeneity of the zone: The zoning is carried out

based on uniformity of various criteria. However, that is a relative

homogeneity. Therefore, it is important to identify the main and typical

criteria, and auxiliary and complementary ones for each zoning level.

- Match the natural - economic - ecological functions of the zone: Each

sub-zone is considered a system (ecosystem). The zone’s function

represents a strong coherence of its components. Each ecosystem (sub-

zone) has several unique functions.

- Match the management method: Functional zoning is a tool to manage,

exploit and use resources within the ecosystem’s load capacity of. The

zoning boundaries are often natural, in special cases, delineated following

the administrative boundaries. Accordingly, the zones can be classified as

follows: (a) Zones of restricted exploitation; (b) Exclusive exploitation

zone; (c) Multidisciplinary exploitation zone.

1.2.2. Theoretical and practical basis for coastal spatial planning (CSP)

As defined by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

(DEFRA), the MSP is a policy-based synthetic approach, in order to regulate,

manage and protect the marine environment, including locating space (very

complex), accumulating potential conflicts in use of the sea and thereby

moving towards sustainable development. The MSP is a practical way to

create and establish a more rational organization of the use of marine space

and the interactions between its uses, to balance demands for development

with the need to protect marine ecosystems, and to achieve social and

economic objectives in an open and planned way (DEFRA, 2008).

Marine Spatial Master Plan - MSMP is considered a practical approach,

providing a process for a strategic and integrated approach based on the marine

management plan that allows a clearer view and control of existing or

potentially contradictory marine use activities, cumulative consequences of

human activities and management of marine protection in this zone.

The Integrated Spatial Planning (ISP) is made as a highlight in the

work of Portman et al. (2012) by using findings available from 8 coastal

countries in the world and quantitative analysis, through surveys to

recommend five main mechanisms that support implementation of the ISP

methods, including environmental impact assessment, planning

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decentralization, and limited coastline determination. By analysis of 7

features of marine spatial planning, the features of integrated spatial

planning (comprehensive planning) strategy, which is necessary for

cooperation and learning among stakeholders, have been identified.

1.3. Study approach and methodology

1.3.1. Study approach:

Territorial spatial approach, synthetic and systematic approach,

interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach, development approach,

legal approach.

1.3.2. Main methodologies

a. Methodologies on collecting documents and figures:Document

overview method, field study method, semina method, community and expert

consulting method, questionnaire-based sociological survey method, Delphi

method, data processing method.

b. Mapping and geographic information system methods.

c. Analysis and synthesis methods: SWOT analysis method, Analytic

hierarchy process (AHP)

Chapter 1 conslution: Chapter 1 of the thesis refers to the core issues

of the theoretical ground for the study: synthesize concepts related to the

integrated coastal resource management space; summarize concepts related

to zoning and functional zoning; Chapter 1 also summarizes the works

related to the thesis topic.

By summarizing and establishing the theoretical and practical basis of

integrated Hai Phong coastal natural resources management spatial orientation

(INRMSO), I have selected appropriate approaches, methodologies and

techniques for my thesis. Therefore, I have well established the theoretical

framework and study steps for my thesis. This is the basis for carrying out

specify study for the Hai Phong Coastal area in Chapter 2.

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CHAPTER 2. TERRITORIAL FUNCTIONAL ZONING OF HAI

PHONG COASTAL AREA

2.1. Geographic differentiation factors

2.1.1. Geographical location and position of Hai Phong coastal area

Hai Phong is a port city downstream of the Thai Binh river system, with

geographical coordinates between 20o35’-21

o01’ of Northern latitude;

106o29’-107

o05’ of East longitude; The city share boders with Quang Ninh to

the North and Northeast, Hai Duong province to the Northwest, Thai Binh

province to the Southwest borders and Gulf of Tonkin to the East. It owns a

125km long coastline, with 5 large estuaries of Bach Dang and Cua Cam,

Lach Tray, Van Uc and Thai Binh.

2.1.2. Geological – geomorphological differentiation of the Hai Phong

coastal area

Geologically - tectonically, the original rock formations before the

Quaternary in the Hai Phong coastal area have exposed original quarry

foundation in Bac Thuy Nguyen, terrigenous and carbonate basalt rocks

belonging to Duong Dong and Lo Son formations; terrigenous and

sometimes carbonate rocks belonging to the Xuan Son and Do Son

formations in the Kien An - Do Son range.

Regarding the geological and geomorphological differentiation:

mountainous and hilly areas of terrigenous sediments; coastal plains; estuary

area; shallow coastal areas; ocean accumulation shelves.

2.1.3. Thermal and moisture differentiation in Hai Phong coastal area

Regarding climatic factors, being a narrow strip of coastal land, the terrain

- geomorphological factors pose no large differentiation which affects

formation of local climates, so Hai Phong coastal area carries typical features

of tropical monsoon coastal climate. There are about 1600 - 1900 hours of

sunshine annually, focusing on May - July and October, the number of hours

of sunshine is the least in February and March. Total annual radiation volume

is 105 - 115 Kcal/cm2, highest in May, August, lowest in February. The annual

radiation balance is 65-70 Kcal/cm2. The annual average temperature is

23.9oC, around 27.9

oC in summer and 19.8

oC in winter, highest at 38.6oC

(August 3, 1985) and lowest at 6.6oC (November 21, 1996). The total annual

heat is 8000-8500oC, coldest in January (16.5

oC), hottest in August (28.5

oC).

8

In general, the climate of the Hai Phong coastal area is quite

homogenous, does not create any climate division or local climate,

including coastal areas and coastal sea areas.

2.1.4. Soil differentiation of Hai Phong coastal area

Regarding soil factors: The Hai Phong coastal area has its soil

differentiation based on water - river elements, including: alluvial soil;

alkaline soil; saline soil; saline soil with mangroves. Thus, the soil of the Hai

Phong coastal area is differentiated from the mainland to the sea and

differentiated according to the water elements related to river, river - sea

(alkaline soil) and to the sea land (saline soil). The soil differentiation affects

the settlement and economic activities (agriculture, tourism, fisheries, etc.) and

society (settlement activities), affecting the natural resource management space

Regarding biological factors: The Hai Phong coastal area is relatively

rich in biodiversity with 4 ecosystems typical of the funnel-shaped estuary,

and over 600 marine species. In particular, the mangrove ecosystem, with

more than 500 marine species, plays an important role in its biodiversity, as

well as ecological, environmental and aquatic resources maintenance

2.2. Socio-economic factors

2.2.1. Current land use status

Regarding the total area, the study area accounts for 52.78% of total

area of Hai Phong city. It shows the advantage of its land fund for

arranging socio-economic development activities, but also puts a great

pressure on land resources and environment. Comparing the land ratio in

the study area in 2008 (10 years from this study year, 2018), the land ratio

of the study area is nearly equivalent, reaching 53.30% of the total natural

area of the city. Therefore, within 10 years, the area has been narrowed for

about 68,916.1 ha, about 0.52%, creating a small fluctuation in the common

land resources of the whole coastal area.

2.2.2. Current population and labor

According to Hai Phong city’s statistics in 2018, population of the

coastal area is unevenly distributed by space, population in Tien Lang, Kien

Thuy and Hai An districts are almost double that in Duong Kinh, Do Son

and Cat Hai districts.

9

If, in 2018, the three districts of Tien Lang, Kien Thuy, Hai An had a

population of more than 100 thousand, in 2008, only Kien Thuy and Tien

Lang district had a population of over 100 thousand. It means that, in 10

years, there was another administrative unit, Hai An district, whose

population increased by over 100 thousand.

The statistics of 2018 shows that the population in the three districts of

Tien Lang, Kien Thuy and Cat Hai is 1.74 times higher than that of the

three districts of Hai An, Duong Kinh and Do Son, while in 2018 it

dropped to 1.38 times.

2.2.3. Livelihood-economic development activities in Hai Phong coastal area

- Industrial manufacturing: Operations of the business in coastal

districts of Hai Phong, according to the statistics, have increased

significantly with the number of businesses established in 2018 3.9 times

higher than in 2008, but unevenly distributed, concentrated mainly in Hai

An district since 2008 and accounting for 59.55% of the total number of

enterprises in Hai Phong coastal area in 2018.

- Agricultural production: Among agricultural, forestry and fishery

activities of the districts of the Hai Phong coastal area, number of farms in

the study area accounts for 50.56% of the city, concentrated particularly in

the two districts of Tien Lang and Kien Thuy with total 318 farms in 2018.

- Service, trade and tourism in the coastal area: The Hai Phong City

Planning Adjustment until 2025, with orientations to 2030 at the Decision

No. 821/QD-TTg dated July 6, 2018 on the development orientation of

sectors, identified that this service section with investment for rapid

development of services (ports, shipping, logistics, maritime, finance -

banking, trade, education - training, health, etc.) should ensure to build Hai

Phong into a major maritime and shipping services center of Vietnam;

logistics service center of the Northern key economic region at Nam Dinh Vu

Industrial Park with 04 satellite logistics centers of Lach Huyen, VSIP, Trang

Due and Tien Lang; financial, trade, market promotion and major investment

mobilization center of the Northern region, whole country and the region;

major information, post and telecommunications transaction and

international conference center of Vietnam; major education - training and

scientific research center in the Northern region; major health center of the

10

Northern coastal region. Proactive with appropriate roadmap for international

integration in terms of marine shipping.

2.3. Natural resource elements

2.3.1. Mineral resources in Hai Phong coastal area

According to the survey findings of the Department of Geology and

Minerals of Vietnam, the potential of minerals in Hai Phong is quite

diverse, 25 mineral points have been listed, including titanium - zirconium

placer; construction limestone; paving limestone; mercury; photphoride;

active silicon; clay, etc., of which, construction limestone is evaluated with

the largest reserves, estimated at 185 million tons, followed by clay for

construction and cement production, about 65 million m3.

2.3.2. Wetland resources in Hai Phong coastal area

Hai Phong has a large area of coastal wetlands with rich and diverse

types. The total wetland fund in Hai Phong coastal area is 64,969 ha (excluding

small islands), equal to 42.8% of the city’s natural area. In particular, the

regular wetland area (up to a depth of 6m) and the wetland tidal area accounts

for 25% and 17.8% of the total natural area of the city respectively.

2.3.3. Water resource in Hai Phong coastal area

- Surface water: Total water surface area of Re, Gia and Da Do rivers

is approximately 9876 hectares, with large reserves of about 40 million m3,

sufficient for future living and socio-economic development of the city.

- Groundwater: The groundwater of the city meeting the standard for

living demands (total mineralization <1g/l) is not redundant, can only be

exploited in small volumes with a total capacity of about 27,000 m3/day. Its

total reserve is forecast at 70,400 m3/day.

- Mineral water: The Tran Chau Commune on Cat Ba Island has

Thuong Luong Mineral stream starting from the rocks, it has high volume

and produces fresh water. The Xuan Dam Commune (Cat Ba) has 3

mineral mine points marked adjacent to the intersection of three destructive

fault systems to northwest - southeast, northeast - southwest orientations

and Asia meridian.

2.3.4. Biological resources in Hai Phong coastal area

According to the statistics, 2,034 flora and fauna species have been

recorded in Hai Phong coastal and marine ecosystems. In terms of

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diversity, phytoplankton and mollusk communities account for the highest

proportion of the total diversity of species of marine flora and fauna

communities in Hai Phong. Marine fishes are also in high number with 332

species that have been recorded as one of the potentials for fisheries

development in the city.

2.4. Functional zoning of Hai Phong coastal area

2.4.1. Criteria for dividing territorial functional units

Based on the differentiation characteristics of solid substrate elements

(geological - geomorphological background) in heat - humidity of climatic

factors which are almost homogeneous, but with presence of differentiation

of estuaries related to the formation and geomorphology of the Hai Phong

coastal area, together with the differentiation of organic material substrate

elements, along with the process of land exploitation and territorial

differentiation, the criteria for functional zoning have been established to

consist of 5 groups: (1)- natural differentiation factors, (2) - Socio-

economic differentiation factors, (3) - environmental differentiation factors,

(4) - planning element differentiation factors; (5) - climate change and

natural disaster differentiation factors.

2.4.2. Functional zoning results

Based on 5 criteria groups to identify the functional zones, 09

functional zones have been identified in the Hai Phong coastal area and

they have been assessed for priority: (1) - Tien Lang - Kien Thuy river -

sea accumulative delta agricultural zone, (2) – Hai An River – Sea

accumulative delta Urban – industrial zone, (3) - Tien Lang - Kien Thuy

coastal accumulative delta agricultural and fishery zone, (4) – Duong

Kinh sea marsh Urban commercial and industrial zone, (5) - Hai An

modern tidal flat surface industrial - port service zone, (6) - Tien Lang –

Kien Thu modern tidal flat surface Fishery and protection forest Zone,

(7) - Do Son Peninsula trade - service - tourism Zone, (8) - Bach Dang

Funnel-shaped estuary seaport and industrial zone, (9) – Cat Hai

Wetland ecosystem conservation and fishery zone.

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Figure 2.1. Functional zoning map of Hai Phong Coastal districts

13

Chapter 2 conclusion: By analysis and assessment of the status and

changes in the geographical conditions, natural resources and environment

of the Hai Phong coastal districts, b consisting of Hai An, Do Son, Duong

Kinh, Tien Lang, Kien Thuy and Cat Hai) serving as a basis for functional

zoning under the study subjects.

Based on five groups of criteria for determining the functional zones,

the Hai Phong Coastal Districts are divided into 09 functional zones which

play a very important part in determining the priority orientations in the

integrated coastal spatial planning for the purpose of sustainable socio-

economic development, reasonably associated with environmental

protection.

CHAPTER 3. INTEGRATED NATURAL RESOURCE AND

ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT SPATIAL ORIENTATION

3.1. Assessing the impact of a number of natural, socio-economic

factors on functional zones

3.1.1. Impact of natural disasters

- Impacts of climate change and sea level rise: According to the sea

level rise scenarios in Hani Phong coastal area at the late 21st century, there

impact is quite high. If the sea level rises 100cm, up to 58.0% of the natural

area of Hai Phong is at risk of flooding, posing urgent challenges and

solutions in the climate change and SLR response plan;

- Impact of natural disasters: The natural disasters in this coastal area

include: sea impacts such as storm, water rise, but basically erosion -

accretion, and others.

3.1.2. Socio-economic development pressure

- Socio-economic development pressure to entire Hai Phong coastal

area: Population pressure, migration and social infrastructure in the

urbanization process; pressure from industrial development; pressure from

the seaport service.

- Pressure from socio-economic development activities to industrial

zones of the Hai Phong coastal area.

3.2. Conflicts in exploitation and use of natural resources

3.2.1. Conflicts

- Conflicts in land, water, forest and biodiversity use.

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- Conflict in industry groups with the exploitation and use of land,

water, forest and biodiversity resources.

- Conflicts in production development with exploitation and use of

land, water, forest and biodiversity resources.

3.2.2. Criteria for impact extent assessment of socio-economic

development and natural resource planning, exploitation and use

- Socio-economic criteria: Among the assessed criteria, industrial

development ones (marine - seaport, functional zones) have the highest

impact. The findings are quite in line with reality in Hai Phong, because

this city has a modern infrastructure: roads, railway, airways in the

logictics chain, its industrial and trade - service – tourism industries also

enjoys a great development.

- Planning criteria: Concern about priority orientations for the three

objectives - economy, natural resource conservation, and national defense

and security receives the highest scores, with the highest for the economic

development in the process of socio-economic development planning.

3.2.3. Conflicts in exploitation and use of coastal natural resources: The

conflicts in exploitation and use of the Hai Phong coastal natural resources

are selected according to their highest, biggest and greatest relevance. They

are: (1) – impact of conflicts in land use, (2) - conflicting effects among

industries, (3) - production sectors.

3.3. Planning overlapping

3.3.1. Impact of master planning on Hai Phong coastal area

Impacts of of national and regional planning; city planning; district

planning.

3.3.2. Assessment of Hai Phong city planning status

- Appropriateness and compatibility of planning space: suitable with

the orientation of exploitation and use of natural resources in national and

regional planning; consistent with the trend of resource exploitation and use

in the city-oriented planning for each district.

- Overlapping planning space: overlaps in planning space through

index of planning scale.

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3.4. Spatial Orientation (SO) assessment and integrated natural

resource management solution

3.4.1 Natural resource and environment management priority orientation

by functional zones

a. Functional grouping criteria: Economic, ecological and social based

on the following principles: - Firstly, because the ecological function is

mainly dominated by the natural, socio-economic characteristics of the sub-

zone, despite homogeneity in vertical structure, a sub-zone which contains

a difference in the horizontal structure and the time structure will have

different functions. - Secondly, the sub-zone has a clear difference between

its ecological function and the land use orientation. - Thirdly, it is necessary

to affirm that the impact of human beings causes changes in the ecological

function of a sub-zone. If such impact is strong enough, exceeding the

“limit”, it will cause a change in ecological structure, thereby changing the

function of the sub-zone.

b. Criteria for dividing specific functions: Main functions; Auxiliary

functions; Service functions: For Hai Phong coastal area, assessment and

classification of ecological functions of the functional zones are approached

by building a model that integrates component functions and calculates a

single quantitative indicator. The ecological functions are determined based

on Niemann's ecological function classification system (1977).

Accordingly, the satisfactory functions will be assessed as 1, the others are

assessed as 0. Then, statistics is made by each function level (group of

functions, main functions, sub-functions). The statistical result is the total

number of functions in each level. This result is classified by zone to

analyze changes in multifunctional characteristics of zones.

3.4.2. DPSIR framework analysis for emerging environmental and resource

management issues for functional zones

Objective: Strengthening the capacity of state agencies in ICNRSO, in

order to enhance cooperation between ministries and industries, releasing

conflicts on the coastal natural resource use

Benefits of functional zoning integration for coastal natural resource

management: DPSIR analysis allows the natural resource and environment

management priority orientation by functional zones.

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3.4.3. Identify priority measures in defining integrated management space

Based on the Hai Phong coastal functional zoning by SWOT method,

AHP analysis is conducted to determine the preferred plan to identify the

integrated natural resource management space.

Process of identifying preferred plan based on aspects of development

spatial planning: (i) - seaport, (ii) - Industry-trade, (iii) - service - tourism,

(iv) - fishery and marine conservation.

The preferred plan to organize the natural resource and environment

management space is made according to the functional zones shown in the

table below. Table 3.1. Preferred plan to organize the natural resource and environment

management space

FZ

Priority Orientation

1:

Seaport

and

seaport

service

2:

Industry

and Trade

3: Tourism

and

tourism

services

4: Fishery

and

biodiversity

conservation

1/ Tien Lang - Kien Thuy river - sea

accumulative delta agricultural zone 0 1 3 5

2/ Hai An River – Sea accumulative

delta Urban – industrial zone 1 5 4 1

3/ Tien Lang - Kien Thuy coastal

accumulative delta agricultural and

fishery zone

1 2 3 5

4/ Duong Kinh sea marsh Urban

commercial and industrial zone 1 5 4 1

5/ Hai An modern tidal flat surface

industrial - port service zone 0 1 3 5

6/ Tien Lang – Kien Thu modern tidal

flat surface Fishery and protection

forest Zone

2 3 4 5

7/ Do Son Peninsula trade - service -

tourism Zone 1 4 5 1

8/ Bach Dang Funnel-shaped estuary

seaport and industrial zone 5 4 1 1

9/ Cat Hai Wetland ecosystem

conservation and fishery zone 1 2 3 5

5- Very high priority plan; 4- High priority plan; 3- Medium priority plan; 2-Low

priority plan; 1- Very low priority plan.

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Figure 3.1. Map on Integrated Hai Phong Coastal Spatial Planning Orientation

by functional zones

18

3.5. Integrated Hai Phong coastal natural resource management spatial

orientations and solutions

3.5.1. Recommendations on Integrated Hai Phong coastal natural

resource management spatial orientations

The integrated Hai Phong coastal natural resource management spatial

orientations are as follows:

(1) - Seaport, seaport service, industrial operation management spatial

orientation;

(2) - Industrial - urban - trading operation management spatial orientation;

(3) - Trading - Service - Tourism operation management spatial orientation;

(4) - Fishery - afforestation - wetland ecosystem conservation management

spatial orientation.

*Functional zone-based integrated Hai Phong Coastal natural resource

management spatial orientation based on solutions for promoting the

opportunity advantages as follows: Solution I-1: Enhancing public

participation; Solution I-2: Training, improving management capacity;

Solution I-3: Planning facilities for landscape ecological services; Solution

I-4: Orienting the market mechanism-oriented international relationships;

Solution I-5: Managing education on awareness of natural resources and

environment protection.

* Functional zone-based integrated Hai Phong Coastal natural resource

management spatial orientation based on solutions for eliminating and

minimizing negative impacts as follows: Solution II-1: Minimizing Conflict

between industries within the same space; Solution II-2: Minimizing over-

exploitation of natural resources and ecosystems; Solution II-3: Minimizing

single-sector management, outdated production techniques; Solution II-4:

Minimizing the risk of overlapping development space.

3.5.2. Recommendations on priority solutions on integrated Hai Phong

coastal natural resource management spatial orientations

In order to implement the integrated Hai Phong coastal natural resource

management spatial orientation, the following two groups of solutions need

to be implemented: (1) – those to promote opportunity advantages; (2) –

those to eliminate and minimize the negative impacts.

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3.5.2.1. Solutions to promote opportunity advantages (Soluion group I)

a. Enhancing public participation (Solution I-1)

This solution is applied to the functional zones with high biodiversity

characteristics; landscape diversity, geographic diversity, ecological

landscape and positional resources, therefore meeting the development

needs of various industries in the same space. Therefore, the development

orientation of this group should be based on: (1) - Features of landscape

diversity, geographic diversity, ecological landscape and positional

resources of the zones; (2) - Conflicts in exploitation and use of natural

resources; (3) - Conflicts among communities that carry out exploitation

and use of natural resources; (4) - Conflicts among values of natural

resource use. From the above factors, I recommend that the functional

zones having 4 issues mentioned above should be orientated based on this

solution. With this sense, the functional zones 1, 3, 7, 8 and 9 should be

applied with this solution, in order to ensure harmony between

development and the public interests.

b. Training, improving management capacity (Solution I-2)

Practical requirements of the functional zones are as follows: (1) -

Multidisciplinary development but also integration, analysis, extraction,

and use of large data sources to select the priority development options for

each industry, industry group from time to time, or short- or medium-term

strategy, and develop long-term strategy; (2) -The ability to exploit and use

large data, infrastructure at the domestic, regional and world level, because

the study space is a modern international port city. Demand for a highly

qualified workforce to perform such tasks as logistics; (3) - Demand for

both development and limited environmental impact - building a green

seaport; (4) -Evaluation of favorable and unfavorable situations based on

natural factors (overlapping development space). From the needs and

practices mentioned above, I recommend applying this solution to all 9

functional zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 of the Hai Phong coastal area.

c. Planning facilities for landscape ecological services (GPI-3)

On the basis of the Hai Phong coastal functional zoning, I have found

that the demand for planning of facilities for tourism services is extremely

realistic with a presence of diverse ecosystems: continental ecosystem,

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Coastal ecosystem, estuarine ecosystem, wetland ecosystem, shallow

coastal ecosystem. The functional zones with: (1) - Biodiversity, with

landscape value; (2) – putting top priority on conservation and protection;

(3) -Combining conservation and development in the direction of eco-

economy should be applied with this solution. Accordingly, on the basis of

functional zoning, I recommend developing the Tien Lang – Kien Thu

modern tidal flat surface Fishery and protection forest Zone; Do Son

Peninsula to be an ecological landscape of hills, beaches, and then

establishing a marine park centered on Hon Dau island. To build Tien Lang

- Kien Thuy coastal area into a green development zone with mangrove

ecosystem and generating wetland value according to RAMSA.

Accordingly, this solution is highly recommended for the functional zones

1, 3, 6, 7 and 9.

d. Orienting the market mechanism-oriented international relationships

(Solution I-4)

In order to have a basis for carrying out the orientation, it is necessary

to have overall and specific assessments for each functional zone according

to some basic issues as follows: (1) -Technical infrastructure; (2) -

Experience in single-sector and multi-sector management; (3) - Industry

development potential; (4) –Labor structure and qualification. With this

criterion, this solution is highly recommended for the functional zones: 2,

4, 5, 7 and especially 8.

e. Managing education on awareness of natural resources and environment

protection (Solution I-5)

In fact, the functional zones’ environment and ecology have been

negatively affected due to some basic impacts as follows: (1) - The

ecosystem has been being overexploited, especially sensitive ecosystems

such as wetlands; (2) - Risk of exhaustive exploitation of natural resources

and environmental pollution; (3) - The risk of overlapping development

space; (4) - Conflicts between industries. Accordingly, I recommend

applying this solution to all functional zones: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

3.5.2.2. Solutions to eliminate and minimize the negative impacts (Solution

group II)

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a. Minimizing Conflict between industries within the same space (Solution

II-1)

The conflicts should be analyzed on the basis of functional spaces of

each specific zone. Therefore, this solution is required. It should be applied

to all functional zones.

b. Minimizing over-exploitation of natural resources and ecosystems

(Solution II-2)

It is the fact that it is required to carry out exploitation of the natural

resources and ecosystems for development. However, overexploitation and

restoration of natural resources and ecosystems lead to their exhaustion.

Therefore, this solution is required. It should be determined based on

presence, advantages, current status of exploitation of natural resources and

ecosystems in a functional zone.

c. Minimizing single-sector management, outdated production techniques

(Solution II-3)

Going along with the single-sector and outdated management methods is

outdated production forms and techniques which all result in various

consequences on exhaustion of the natural resources, ecosystems and

environmental pollution. Therefore, this solution is required. It should be

determined on the basis of determining the overlapping of management and

production technology level in each functional zone.

d. Minimizing the risk of overlapping development space (Solution II-4)

Each coastal space which is rich and diverse in topography, resources,

biology contains an important premise for the development of industries.

As a result, there has been an overlap in development and exploitation

planning of various industries. this solution is required. It should be

determined on the basis of determining overlap and choosing the

development priority option at each functional zone.

Chapter 3 conclusion: - In chapter 3, the thesis has assessed the

natural, natural disasters, socio-economic pressure on exploitation and use

of the coastal natural resources, accordingly, the Hai Phong coastal area

often suffers from typhoons annually; strongly affected by climate change

and sea level rise impacts.

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- The assessment results of conflicts in exploitation and use of the coastal

natural resources show that Hai Phong is a highly developed city, so it

contains conflicts between industries, space, encroachment and disputes over

agricultural land, aquaculture areas have become even worse due to

irrationalities in planning and professional development as well as localities.

- 04 management spatial priority orientations established for 9

functional zones consist of: (1) - Seaport, seaport service, industry, (2) –

Industry – urban – trading; (3) - Trading – Service – Tourism; (4) - Fishery

- afforestation - wetland ecosystem conservation. On that basis, a map on

spatial orientation for natural resources and environment management of

Hai Phong coastal area was developed based on 09 functional zones.

- The solutions to promote advantages and overcome limitations to

organize the natural resources and environment management of Hai Phong

coastal area are integrated into two groups: (1) those to promote

opportunity advantages, including (i) - Enhancing public participation (ii) -

Training, improving management capacity; (iii) - Planning facilities for

landscape ecological services; (iv) Orienting the market mechanism-

oriented international relationships. (2): those to eliminate and minimize

the negative impacts, consisting of: (i) - Minimizing Conflict between

industries within the same space; (ii) - Minimizing over-exploitation of

natural resources and ecosystems; (iii) - Minimizing single-sector

management, outdated production techniques; (iv) - Minimizing the risk of

overlapping development space.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Conclusion

1. Hai Phong is a coastal city located in the downstream of Thai Binh

river system with very complex natural conditions, of which the existence

and domination of the estuarine system which forms the coastal ecosystems

which show the basic functions of the environment and have a strong

impact on all socio-economic activities of the city are the most prominent.

The functional zoning mainly based on environmental functions has

contributed to providing a scientific basis for orienting and recommending

solutions for integrated coastal natural resource management of the city.

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2. The geographic approach for the integrated coastal natural resource

spatial planning orientation at provincial/city level is the coastal functional

zoning, based on a rational arrangement and division of ecosystems,

thereby identifying the spaces for planning socio-economic development

and environmental protection activities. The functional zone is the basic

zoning unit for the integrated coastal natural resource spatial planning

orientation at provincial/city level; the functional zones are connected by

the system of socio-economic development axes, creating a framework of

territorial spatial organization suitable to the function of natural

components. There are 6 steps to implement the integrated coastal natural

resource spatial planning orientation at provincial/city level, consisting of

(i) Investigate, analyze and assess the potential of natural resources, socio-

economy, the current environment situation in the study area against in

priority sectors for socio-economic development; (ii) Define the functional

zoning criteria, develop a map of functional zones ; (iii) Assess overlaps,

and conflicts in planning and determine the priority and interests of

stakeholders involved in the integrated coastal natural resource spatial

planning of each functional zone; (iv) Assessing co-management by the

parties involved in the integrated coastal natural resource spatial planning;

(v) Analyze and forecast future conditions; (vi) Develop a map for the

integrated coastal natural resource spatial planning orientation for the study

area. The map is a very special inter-sectoral planning, with spatial features

and forms an integral part of the socio-economic development and

environmental protection planning.

3. Based on the analysis and evaluation of 5 groups of criteria (natural

conditions, socio-economic conditions, planning, climate change

environment and natural disasters), the Hai Phong coastal area is divided into

9 functional zones with 04 integrated coastal natural resource spatial

planning orientations. The 09 functional zones reflect the development

reality, the natural, socio-economic and environmental differentiation and the

impacts of climate change and natural disasters in Hai Phong coastal area.

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4. The 09 functional zones in Hai Phong coastal area serve as one of

the scientific bases for preparing the city’s sustainable socio-economic

development planning. These functional zones must be located in the

natural resource management space with 2 basic groups of solutions,

consisting of 9 specific solutions to ensure efficiency and sustainability.

5. Identification of overlaps and conflicts in natural resource

exploitation and use and socio-economic planning of the Hai Phong coastal

area show the existence of various overlaps and conflicts arise. Of which,

the conflicts and overlaps between agricultural land use planning and non-

agricultural land use planning; between biodiversity conservation and

fishery, trade and tourism development; between infrastructure construction

and heritage conservation and environmental protection are the most

prominent.

6. Based on the results of multi-functional evaluation of functional

zones, analysis of overlaps and conflicts in use and development planning, a

map of integrated Hai Phong Coastal natural resource management spatial

orientation has been established with 04 management spatial priority

orientations identified for 09 functional zones, consisting of Seaport, seaport

service, industry, (2) – Industry – urban – trading; (3) - Trading – Service –

Tourism; (4) - Fishery - afforestation - wetland ecosystem conservation. On

that basis, a map on spatial orientation for natural resources and environment

management of Hai Phong coastal area was developed based on 09

functional zones. In which each zone is assessed and recommended with

major orientations based on AHPs and SWOT analysis, allowing selection of

each specific issue to take appropriate measures.

2. Recommendations

Continue to promote theoretical study and methodology on

variability (development driving force) of geographic conditions over the

time as a basis for the integrated coastal spatial planning orientation for

territories of different scales. Combining approaches, theory and applied

methodology of the Marine Spatial Planning and analytical techniques

such as AHPs and SWOT, GIS into functional zoning of the same territory.

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NEW CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE THESIS

Theoretical point 1: The Hai Phong coastal area is a space of strong

interaction between development activities and the natural dynamic impact of

the river - sea formation processes, causing spatial and natural - economic -

social functional differentiation, forming 9 functional subdivisions in 5

integrated natural resource management spaces.

Theoretical point 2: The strong socio-economic development has

resulted in conflicts and inadequacies in the use and exploitation of natural

resources, affecting the management space, requiring effective measures to

reorganize in the direction of synthesis and high feasibility.

PUBLISHED WORKS

1. Tran Hung Long. Current natural resource situation in Hai An

District, Hai Phong City. Journal of Marine Science and Technology, pp

75-78, ISSN 1859-316X

2. Tran Hung Long, Tran Thi Thu Trang. Marine functional zoning for

sustainable development of Hai Phong coastal area. Journal of Marine

Science and Technology 2019, pp 359-372, ISSN 1859-3097

3. Tran Hung Long, La Vinh Cam, Tran Thi Thu Trang. Application of

Delphi techniques to identify conflicts in exploitation and use of natural

resources in Hai Phong coastal areas. Journal of Studies and Research

in Human Geography No. 3- September 2019, ISSN 2354-0648