TTLV: Conditions for developing cave tourism in some areas in Vietnam

MASTER'S THESIS INFORMATION

1. Student's full name: Ngo Van Tien 2. Gender: Male

3. Date of birth: April 24, 1994

4. Place of birth: Thanh Hoa

5. Decision on recognition of students No. 4058/2022/QD-XHNV dated December 28, 2022 President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

6. Changes in training process: No

7. Thesis topic: Conditions for developing cave tourism in some areas in Vietnam.

8. Major: Tourism; Code: 8810101.01

9. Scientific advisor: Dr. Nguyen Quang Anh, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU.

10. Summary of thesis results:

Based on the study of theoretical contents on conditions for tourism and cave tourism development, combined with investigation and assessment of conditions for cave tourism development in potential provinces in Vietnam, the thesis focuses on solving the following basic professional tasks: (1) Systematizing theoretical basis, building and proposing a framework of criteria for assessing conditions for cave tourism development in Vietnam; (2) Analyzing, evaluating and ranking conditions for cave tourism development in provinces in Vietnam according to different types, based on the established framework of criteria and combined with market demand survey. (3) Based on the assessment results, proposing a system of strategic solutions and policy recommendations to develop cave tourism in Vietnam effectively and sustainably. In particular, the proposals on “Planning and management by local groups” and “Market-oriented product development” are the key solutions for localities to successfully realize their ambition of effectively exploiting and sustainably developing cave tourism in potential areas of Vietnam.

11. Practical application

The research results of the topic can be used by state management agencies from central to local levels as a scientific basis to develop strategies, plans and policies for developing cave tourism nationwide and for each specific locality. Based on the results of classification and potential assessment, provinces can determine their position, strengths and weaknesses, thereby building cave tourism development projects suitable to their characteristics and market orientation, avoiding scattered investment.

In addition, the content of the thesis is also a useful reference source for businesses and investors in researching and developing specialized cave tourism products, meeting the needs of each tourist segment (sightseeing - entertainment, exploration - adventure, and culture - history - spirituality). The research results can also be applied to evaluate the potential of newly discovered caves, in order to orient development strategies from the beginning in an effective and sustainable manner.

12. Further research directions

Based on the achieved results and limitations of the thesis, some further research directions can be deployed to further deepen and expand the raised issues:

- Quantitative study of carrying capacity at key caves:This is an urgent direction to provide a scientific basis for management work, to comprehensively assess the carrying capacity in physical, biological and social aspects, thereby avoiding tourism overload.

- Conduct in-depth case studies:There is a need for in-depth studies analyzing the value chain, benefit sharing mechanisms, and socio-economic impacts of cave tourism on communities in typical locations such as Quang Binh, Ninh Binh, or Ha Giang to provide detailed empirical evidence.

- Research on the impact of climate change on cave systems:This is a long-term strategic interdisciplinary research direction, focusing on changes in hydrology, temperature, humidity and their effects on the stability of cave structures as well as the internal ecosystems.

-Comparative analysis of international cave tourism management models:Study successful management models in countries such as Slovenia, New Zealand, and Malaysia to draw lessons and apply them creatively and appropriately to Vietnam's conditions.

-Research on high technology applications in tourism management and experience:Focus on evaluating the effectiveness and building application models of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and sensor systems to monitor the environment, manage visitors, and enrich their experiences.

The thesis topic after successful defense can continue to be invested in and improved to develop into a doctoral thesis according to these research directions.

13. Those published works are related to the thesis

(1) Ngo, VT, & Nguyen, QA (2024). CONSUMER-BASED CAVE TRAVEL AND TOURISM MARKET CHARACTERISTICS IN LUNG KHUY CAVE, HA GIANG PROVINCE, VIETNAM. PrintPROCEEDINGS: INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE - Promoting multidisciplinary studies on emerging trends and innovations in education and sustainable development(Vol. 1, p. 383). AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY PUBLISHING HOUSE

(2) Ngo, VT (2024). Market trends and development of cave tourism products to attract tourists to Vietnam. In Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Institute for Tourism Development Research (Editor-in-Chief),Proceedings of the Scientific Conference: Developing Cave Tourism in Vietnam(pp. 30–37). Hanoi.

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name: Ngo Van Tien 2. Sex: Male

3. Date of birth: Apr 24, 1994

4. Place of birth: Thanh Hoa

5. Student recognition decision No. 4058/QD-XHNV dated December 28, 2022 Principal of University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi National University

6. Changes in the training process: None

7. Thesis title: Conditions for Cave Tourism development in some areas of Vietnam.

8. Major: Tourism Code: 8810101.01

9. Scientific supervisor: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Anh, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU

10. Summary of the results of the thesis:

Based on theoretical research on the for tourism and cave tourism development, combined with the investigation and assessment of cave tourism development conditions in potential provinces in Vietnam, the thesis conditions focus on accomplishing fundamental professional tasks: (1) To systematize the theoretical framework, develop and propose an evaluation criteria framework for cave tourism development in Vietnam; (2) to analyze, evaluate, and rank the conditions for cave tourism development in Vietnamese provinces for various types, based on the established criteria framework and in combination with a market demand survey. (3) Based on the assessment results, the thesis proposes a system of strategic solutions and policy recommendations to develop cave tourism in Vietnam effectively and sustainably.

Among these, the proposals on "Planning and management by provincial groupings" and "Market-oriented product development" are the cornerstone solutions for localities to successfully realize the ambition of effectively exploiting and sustainably developing cave tourism in the potential regions of Vietnam.

11. Practical applicability

The research findings of this thesis can be utilized by government management bodies, from the national to local levels, as a scientific basis for formulating strategies, plans, and policies for cave tourism development, both nationally and for specific localities. Based on the results of the potential classification and assessment, provinces can identify their positions, strengths, and weaknesses, enabling them to develop cave tourism projects tailored to their specific characteristics and market orientation, while avoiding scattered investment.

Furthermore, the thesis content also serves as a valuable reference for businesses and investors in researching and developing specialized cave tourism products that exactly meet the needs of each tourist segment (leisure and sightseeing; adventure and exploration; and cultural, historical, and spiritual). The research findings can also be applied to assess the potential of newly discovered caves, thereby guiding effective and sustainable development strategies from the outset.

12. Future research directions:

Based on the findings and limitations of this thesis, the following future research directions are proposed to further explore the issues raised:

- Quantitative Research on Tourism Carrying Capacity at Key Cave Sites: A comprehensive assessment of carrying capacity—encompassing its physical, biological, and social dimensions—is crucial. This research would provide a scientific basis for management policies aimed at preventing over-tourism.

- In-depth Case Studies: Detailed case studies are necessary in representative areas such as Quang Binh, Ninh Binh, or Ha Giang. This research should analyze the value chain, benefit-sharing mechanisms, and the socio-economic impacts of cave tourism on local communities to provide robust empirical evidence.

- Research on the Impacts of Climate Change on Cave Systems: This interdisciplinary research holds long-term strategic importance. It should focus on changes in hydrology, temperature, and humidity, and their effects on the structural stability of caves and their internal ecosystems.

- Comparative Analysis of International Cave Tourism Management Models: Studying successful management models from countries like Slovenia, New Zealand, and Malaysia would offer valuable lessons that could be adapted to the specific conditions in Vietnam.

- Research on the Application of Advanced Technology in Tourism Management and Experience: This direction involves evaluating the effectiveness of technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and sensor systems. The goal is to develop application models for environmental monitoring, visitor management, and enhancing the overall visitor experience.

- Following a successful defense, the work presented in this master's thesis could be expanded into a doctoral thesis along these research paths.

13. Thesis-related publications:

(1) Ngo, VT, & Nguyen, QA (2024). CONSUMER-BASED CAVE TRAVEL AND TOURISM MARKET CHARACTERISTICS IN LUNG KHUY CAVE, HA GIANG PROVINCE, VIETNAM. PrintPROCEEDINGS: INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE - Promoting multidisciplinary studies on emerging trends and innovations in education and sustainable development(Vol. 1, p. 383). AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY PUBLISHING HOUSE.

(2) Ngo, V. T. (2024). Market trends and the development of attractive cave tourism products for Vietnam. In Vietnam National Authority of Tourism & Institute for Tourism Development Research (Eds.),Proceedings of the Scientific Conference: Cave Tourism Development in Vietnam(pp. 30–37). Hanoi.