1. Full name of doctoral candidate: To Van Hanh 2. Gender: Male
3. Date of birth: 16/06/1986 4. Place of birth: Thanh Hoa
5. Decision on the Recognition of Doctoral Students: Decision No. 4055/2022/QD-XHNV dated December 28, 2022, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi, on the recognition of doctoral students in 2022.
6. Changes in the training process: Decision No. 3934/QD-XHNV dated August 6, 2024, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities regarding the change/adjustment of the dissertation title of the doctoral candidate.
7. Thesis title: “The educational tourism experience of Vietnamese students”
8. Major: Tourism 9. Code: 9810101.01
10. Instructor
Supervisor 1: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Duc Thao
Supervisor 2: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Duc Thanh
11. Summary of the new findings of the thesis
11.1. In theory
- Building an interdisciplinary theoretical framework: The thesis successfully integrates the Experience Economy model (4Es) with modern educational theories (Experiential Learning, Learning Autonomy, Self-Determination Theory, Self-Directed Learning), establishing students' position as "co-creators" of value rather than mere service recipients.
- Concept and Model Establishment: This thesis proposes a specific concept of "Educational Tourism Experience" (ETE) and tests a structural model (SEM) to clarify the mechanism of ETE's impact on Learning Effectiveness (LE). The results confirm that Satisfaction (SAT) plays a mandatory mediating role, demonstrating that the value of on-site education is only transformed when learners reach a threshold of emotional and aesthetic satisfaction.
- New findings on regulatory mechanisms: The thesis clarifies the "filtering" role of Self-Reliance Learning (SRL). Demonstrating that SRL multi-dimensionally regulates (positively, negatively, or non-regulating) the relationship between experiential components and Satisfaction has provided profound insights into the behavioral psychology of the student tourist segment.
11.2. In practical terms
- Product design strategy: The research proposes a tiered experience model based on the learner's developmental path, shifting from activating emotions (Aesthetics, Entertainment) in the initial stage to focusing on in-depth learning (Education, Escape) in the specialized stage. This provides a scientific basis for designing "educational entertainment" programs that balance knowledge content and appeal.
- The "Three-Party" linkage model: The thesis clarifies the symbiotic role between the School - Businesses - Local Community. Initiatives such as building a "Digital Experience Map," a "Competency Framework for Learning Tour Guides," and a "Field Learning Credit Package" are proposed to optimize resources and ensure sustainability for this type of tourism.
- Measurement tools: The thesis develops and standardizes a specialized measurement scale suitable for the Vietnamese educational context, providing a reliable quantitative tool for training institutions and tourism businesses to evaluate and refine periodic field trips.
12. Directions for further research
Based on the results achieved, the research opens up in-depth approaches for the future to perfect the ecosystem of educational tourism experiences:
- Expand the scope of research: Conduct intercultural comparative studies (between Vietnamese and international students) or control studies between different segments of academic tourists (experts, researchers) to verify the universality of the 4Es model.
- Integrating modern elements: Enriching the theoretical framework by incorporating contemporary factors such as digital experiences, co-creating value with the community, social responsibility, and other individual psychological characteristics (EQ, digital competence, learning style).
- Shifting measurement methods: Moving towards replacing or supplementing self-reported data with objective measurements (actual scores, expert competency assessments, pre-/post-journey tests) and implementing longitudinal studies to track learners' competency changes over time.
- Applied experimentation: Strengthening research and development through the design and measurement of the effectiveness of specific educational tourism models at destinations, aiming to realize management solutions in business and educational practices.
13. Related published works
13.1. To Van Hanh, Pham Thi Chi, Pham Thi Minh Chinh (2022), “Student satisfaction with community-based educational tourism activities in Hoa Bac commune, Hoa Vang district, Da Nang city”, Journal of Science and Technology - Thai Nguyen University 227 (09), pp. 14-23, Thai Nguyen University Publishing House, ISSN: 1859-2171 (printed copy) / e-ISSN: 2815-5629, DOI: 10.34238/tnu-jst.5378.
13.2. To Van Hanh, Pham Thi Minh Chinh, Pham Thi Chi (2022), “Developing community-based learning tourism in Hoa Bac commune, Hoa Vang district, Da Nang city”, Can Tho University Journal of Science 58 (2), pp. 292-304, Can Tho University Publishing House, ISSN: 1859-2333 (printed) / e-ISSN: 2815-5599, DOI: 10.22144/ctu.jvn.2022.058.
13.3. To Van Hanh, Tran Duc Thanh, Pham Thi Chi (2025), “Theory of student learning tourism experience: A case study in Binh Son district, Quang Ngai province”, Journal of Human Geography Research 1 (46), pp. 50-58, Publishing House of the Institute of Human Geography (under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences), ISSN: 2354-0648
13.4. To Van Hanh, Pham Thi Chi, Tran Duc Thanh (2025), “Factors affecting the quality of educational tourism experience of Da Nang students in Binh Son district, Quang Ngai province”, Journal of Science and Technology - Thai Nguyen University, 230 (08), pp. 232-240, Thai Nguyen University Publishing House, ISSN: 1859-2171 (printed copy) / e-ISSN: 2815-5629, DOI: 10.34238/tnu-jst.12259.
13.5. To Van Hanh, Tran Duc Thanh, Pham Thi Chi (2024), “Experiential learning tourism, cultural experiences of students in Binh Son district, Quang Ngai province”, Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference: Training and using cultural tourism human resources in the context of international integration, Ninh Binh City, Ninh Binh Province, p. 776-796,Hanoi National University Publishing House, Hanoi.
13.6. To Van Hanh, Tran Duc Thanh, Pham Thi Chi (2025a), “Bibliometric and content analysis research on tourism experiences”, The Third International Conference on the Issues of Social Sciences and Humanities (ICISH 2025) 1, p. 744-770, Hanoi National University Publishing House, Hanoi.
13.7. To Van Hanh, Tran Duc Thanh, Pham Thi Chi (2025b), “Developing Experiential Educational Tourism in the Contemporary Context”, The 3rd Phenikaa Universities business and economics conference: Managing operations and supply chain in the new era (PUBEC 2025), Hanoi City, p. 783-800, Phenikaa University Publishing House, Hanoi, ISBN: 978-632-604-760-8.
13.8. To Van Hanh, Tran Duc Thanh, Pham Thi Chi (2025), “Sustainable development of student educational tourism experiences: a swot-based analysis”, International conference Effective tourism development in the context of global integration, p. 627-637, Social Sciences Publishing House, Hanoi, ISBN: 978-632-607-407-9, pp.627-637.
INFORMATION ON DOCTORAL THESIS
1. Full name: To Van Hanh 2. Sex: Male
3. Date of birth: 16/06/1986 4. Place of birth: Thanh Hoa
5. Admission decision number: Decision No. 4055/2022/QD-XHNV 28th December 2022 by the Rector of VNU University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
6. Changes in the academic process: Decision No. 3934/QD-XHNV 6th August 2024, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities regarding the change/adjustment of the thesis title of the doctoral candidate.
7. Official Thesis title: “Educational Tourism Experiences of Vietnamese Students”
8. Major: Tourism 9. Code: 9810101.01
10. Supervisors: Ass.Prof. PhD. Truong Duc Thao and Ass.Prof. PhD. Tran Duc Thanh.
11. Summary of the new findings of the thesis:
11.1. Theoretical Contributions
Interdisciplinary Theoretical Framework Development: The thesis successfully integrates the Experience Economy model (4Es) with contemporary educational theories, including Experiential Learning, Self-Regulated Learning, Self Determination Theory, and Self-Directed Learning, thereby establishing students as co-creators of value rather than passive recipients of services.
Conceptualization and Model Development: The thesis proposes a specialized concept of Educational Tourism Experience (ETE) and employs Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to clarify the mechanism through which ETE influences Learning Effectiveness (LE). The results confirm that Satisfaction (SAT) serves as an essential mediating factor, demonstrating that educational value in field-based contexts is translated into learning effectiveness only when learners reach a threshold of emotional and aesthetic satisfaction.
Novel Insights into the Moderating Mechanism: The thesis elucidates the filtering role of Self-Regulated Learning (SRL). By demonstrating that SRL exerts multidimensional moderation, with positive, negative, or non-significant effects on the relationships between experiential components and Satisfaction (SAT), the study provides deeper insights into the behavioral psychology of the student tourist segment.
11.2. Practical Implications
Product Design Strategy: The study proposes a staged experiential design model aligned with learner development pathways, shifting from emotional engagement (Aesthetics and Entertainment) in the early stages to in depth focus (Education and Escapism) at the specialization stage. This provides a scientific basis for designing edutainment-oriented programs that balance knowledge content and experiential appeal.
Tripartite Collaboration Model: The thesis clarifies the symbiotic roles of universities, enterprises, and local communities. Initiatives such as the development of digital experience maps, a competency framework for educational tourism guides, and field-based learning credit schemes are proposed to optimize resources and ensure the sustainability of this tourism form.
Measurement Instrument: The thesis develops and standardizes a specialized measurement scale tailored to the Vietnamese educational context, providing a reliable quantitative tool for educational institutions and tourism enterprises to evaluate and refine periodically field based programs.
12. Future Research Directions
Future Research Directions: Building on the achieved results, the study opens up in depth research avenues to further advance the educational tourism experience ecosystem:
Expanding the research scope: Conduct cross cultural comparative studies between Vietnamese and international students, or comparative analyzes across different academic tourism segments, such as experts and researchers, in order to validate the generalizability of the 4Es model.
Integrating contemporary factors: Enrich the theoretical framework by incorporating emerging elements such as digitalized experiences, value co creation with communities, social responsibility, and individual psychological characteristics, including emotional intelligence, digital competence, and learning styles.
Advancing measurement approaches: Move toward replacing or complementing self-reported data with objective measures, such as actual academic performance, expert-based competency assessments, and pre and post experience testing, while implementing longitudinal studies to track changes in learner competence over time.
Applied experimentation: Strengthen implementation-oriented research by designing and evaluating the effectiveness of specific educational tourism models at destinations, thereby translating managerial solutions into practical applications in both business and educational contexts.
13. Thesis-related publications
13.1. To Van Hanh, Pham Thi Chi, Pham Thi Minh Chinh (2022), “Student satisfaction with community-based educational tourism activities in Hoa Bac commune, Hoa Vang district, Da Nang city”, Journal of Science and Technology - Thai Nguyen University 227 (09), pp. 14-23, Thai Nguyen University Publishing House, ISSN: 1859-2171 (printed copy) / e-ISSN: 2815-5629, DOI: 10.34238/tnu-jst.5378.
13.2. To Van Hanh, Pham Thi Minh Chinh, Pham Thi Chi (2022), “Developing community-based learning tourism in Hoa Bac commune, Hoa Vang district, Da Nang city”, Can Tho University Journal of Science 58 (2), pp. 292-304, Can Tho University Publishing House, ISSN: 1859-2333 (printed) / e-ISSN: 2815-5599, DOI: 10.22144/ctu.jvn.2022.058.
13.3. To Van Hanh, Tran Duc Thanh, Pham Thi Chi (2025), “Theory of student learning tourism experience: A case study in Binh Son district, Quang Ngai province”, Journal of Human Geography Research 1 (46), pp. 50-58, Publishing House of the Institute of Human Geography (under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences), ISSN: 2354-0648
13.4. To Van Hanh, Pham Thi Chi, Tran Duc Thanh (2025), “Factors affecting the quality of educational tourism experience of Da Nang students in Binh Son district, Quang Ngai province”, Journal of Science and Technology - Thai Nguyen University, 230 (08), pp. 232-240, Thai Nguyen University Publishing House, ISSN: 1859-2171 (printed copy) / e-ISSN: 2815-5629, DOI: 10.34238/tnu-jst.12259.
13.5. To Van Hanh, Tran Duc Thanh, Pham Thi Chi (2024), “Experiential learning tourism, cultural experiences of students in Binh Son district, Quang Ngai province”, Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference: Training and using cultural tourism human resources in the context of international integration, Ninh Binh City, Ninh Binh Province, p. 776-796, Hanoi National University Publishing House, Hanoi.
13.6. To Van Hanh, Tran Duc Thanh, Pham Thi Chi (2025a), “Bibliometric and content analysis research on tourism experiences”, The Third International Conference on the Issues of Social Sciences and Humanities (ICISH 2025) 1, p. 744-770, Hanoi National University Publishing House, Hanoi.
13.7. To Van Hanh, Tran Duc Thanh, Pham Thi Chi (2025b), “Developing Experiential Educational Tourism in the Contemporary Context”, The 3rd Phenikaa Universities business and economics conference: Managing operations and supply chain in the new era (PUBEC 2025), Hanoi City, p. 783-800, Phenikaa University Publishing House, Hanoi, ISBN: 978-632-604-760-8.
13.8. To Van Hanh, Tran Duc Thanh, Pham Thi Chi (2025), “Sustainable development of student educational tourism experiences: a swot-based analysis”, International conference Effective tourism development in the context of global integration, p. 627-637, Social Sciences Publishing House, Hanoi, ISBN: 978-632-607-407-9, pp.627-637.
Author:Department of Training and Non-profit Organization
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