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

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MASTER'S THESIS

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 student admission No.: 4058/2022/QD-XHNV dated December 28, 2022, by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

6. Changes in the training process: None

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

8. Major: Tourism; Code: 8810101.01

9. Scientific supervisor: Dr. Nguyen Quang Anh, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

10. Summary of the thesis results:

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

11. Practical applications

The research findings of this project can be used by state management agencies from the central to local levels as a scientific basis for developing strategies, plans, and policies for cave tourism development nationwide and for specific localities. Based on the classification and assessment of potential, provinces can identify their position, strengths, and weaknesses, thereby developing cave tourism development projects that are appropriate to their characteristics and market orientation, avoiding scattered investment.

Furthermore, the content of this thesis serves as a useful reference for businesses and investors in researching and developing specialized cave tourism products that meet the specific needs of each tourist segment (sightseeing - entertainment, exploration - adventure, and culture - history - spirituality). The research results can also be applied to assess the potential of newly discovered caves, aiming to guide development strategies from the outset in an effective and sustainable manner.

12. Future research directions

Based on the results achieved and the limitations of this thesis, several directions for further research could be pursued to deepen and expand upon the issues raised:

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

- Conduct in-depth case studies:Further in-depth studies are needed to analyze the value chain, benefit-sharing mechanisms, and socio-economic impacts of cave tourism on communities in typical locations such as Quang Binh, Ninh Binh, and Ha Giang, in order to provide detailed practical evidence.

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

ButA comparative analysis of international cave tourism management models:Studying successful management models in countries such as Slovenia, New Zealand, and Malaysia to draw lessons and apply them creatively, adapting them to the conditions of Vietnam.

ButResearch on the application of high technology in tourism management and experiences:The focus is on evaluating the effectiveness and developing application models of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and sensor systems for environmental monitoring, visitor management, and enriching their experiences.

After a successful defense, the thesis topic can receive further investment and development to become a doctoral dissertation following these research directions.

13. The 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 Tourism Administration, Institute for Tourism Development Research (Editor),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.