Zhanjie Town Revives Rural Economy with Eco-Tourism Blend – Vietnam Investment Review – VIR

Report on Sustainable Rural Revitalization in Zhanjie Town, Guizhou

An Integrated Strategy Aligning with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Zhanjie Town, located in Qingzhen City, Guizhou Province, is implementing a comprehensive rural revitalization strategy that leverages its ecological and cultural assets. This initiative demonstrates a strong alignment with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by transforming environmental advantages into economic and social prosperity for its residents.

Fostering Economic Growth and Decent Work

Contribution to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

The town’s economic model is designed to create sustainable livelihoods and reduce poverty by promoting inclusive growth through tourism. Key initiatives directly support the creation of decent work and economic opportunities for the local population.

• Income Generation: An innovative “government-led + villager-built” model has been adopted to convert 34 idle farmhouses into distinctive lodging facilities, providing a stable source of income for residents.
• Diversified Services: The introduction of modern services, such as “light weddings,” caters to new consumer markets and diversifies the local economy.
• Full Value Chain Development: The town is upgrading the entire cultural and tourism value chain, including dining, accommodation, sightseeing, and retail, to maximize economic retention within the community.

Commitment to Environmental Stewardship and Sustainable Communities

Adherence to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 15 (Life on Land)

At the core of Zhanjie Town’s strategy is the principle of “ecology as the foundation.” This approach ensures the protection of natural heritage and promotes a sustainable relationship between the community and its environment.

1. Preservation of Natural Assets: The development is centered around the high-quality ecological foundation of Hongfeng Lake, ensuring that tourism growth does not degrade the natural resources upon which it depends.
2. Sustainable Tourism Model: A year-round tourism framework has been established, featuring themes that respect natural cycles: spring tea picking, summer retreats, autumn fishing, and winter wellness. This promotes responsible tourism that is in harmony with the local ecosystem.
3. Cultural Heritage Protection: By making “culture as the soul” a central tenet, the town actively works to safeguard and promote its cultural heritage, a key target of SDG 11.

Building Partnerships and Enhancing Local Capacity

Advancing SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

The success of the revitalization project relies on multi-stakeholder collaboration and investment in human capital, reflecting a commitment to building strong local institutions and partnerships.

• Public-Community Partnership: The “government-led + villager-built” model exemplifies a powerful partnership (SDG 17) that empowers local communities to participate directly in and benefit from development projects.
• Educational Development: The establishment of an agricultural education and research base contributes to SDG 4 by providing valuable learning and research opportunities, enhancing local skills and knowledge in sustainable agriculture.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article focuses on creating economic opportunities through tourism, revitalizing rural industries, and providing residents with stable income, which directly aligns with promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The efforts to protect and leverage natural and cultural heritage (Hongfeng Lake, local culture), upgrade infrastructure (lodging, tourism facilities), and implement innovative development models (“government-led + villager-built”) contribute to making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  The town’s development is explicitly based on its “exceptional ecological resources” and “high-quality ecological foundation of Hongfeng Lake.” The “green development strategy” shows a commitment to protecting and sustainably using terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  By transforming idle farmhouses into businesses, the initiative provides “local residents with a stable source of income,” contributing to poverty reduction and enhancing economic resilience in the rural community.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.9: “By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.”
     
     Explanation: The article details Zhanjie Town’s strategy of promoting tourism based on its cultural and ecological assets. It mentions the creation of a “year-round tourism model,” developing new tourism products (“light weddings”), and integrating the “entire cultural and tourism value chain,” all of which are policies to promote sustainable tourism.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.4: “Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.”
     
     Explanation: The town’s development philosophy is “ecology as the foundation, culture as the soul.” It actively leverages and protects its natural heritage, Hongfeng Lake, and promotes cultural attractions like the “S-Curve” scenic spot, directly aligning with this target.

3. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.1: “By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services…”
     
     Explanation: The entire revitalization project is built upon “capitalizing on its exceptional ecological resources” and the “high-quality ecological foundation of Hongfeng Lake.” This demonstrates a strategy of sustainable use of an inland freshwater ecosystem for economic development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Target 8.9 (Promote sustainable tourism):

   • Indicator (Implied): Increase in tourism-related income for local populations.
     
     Evidence: The article states that the farmhouse transformation initiative provides “local residents with a stable source of income.”
   • Indicator (Implied): Number of visitors.
     
     Evidence: The “S-Curve” scenic spot is mentioned as “drawing visitors from across the country.”
   • Indicator (Explicit): Development of new tourism products and services.
     
     Evidence: The article lists the creation of “fruit and vegetable picking gardens, specialty barbecue areas, and an agricultural education and research base,” as well as “modern wedding services.”

2. For Target 11.4 (Protect and safeguard heritage):

   • Indicator (Explicit): Number of idle assets repurposed for sustainable use.
     
     Evidence: The article explicitly states the transformation of “34 idle farmhouses into distinctive lodging spaces.”
   • Indicator (Implied): Number of cultural and natural heritage sites developed for tourism.
     
     Evidence: The article mentions the development of iconic attractions like the “‘S-Curve’ scenic spot in Shanshu Village.”

3. For Target 15.1 (Sustainable use of ecosystems):

   • Indicator (Implied): Economic value derived from the sustainable use of ecological resources.
     
     Evidence: The article’s central theme is to “transform ecological beauty into prosperity for its residents” and “transforming ecological advantages into economic and developmental gains.”

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: vir.com.vn