TTLV: Research on the competitiveness of Tien Giang province as a tourist destination.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MASTER'S THESIS

1. Student's full name: Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tham 2. Gender: Female

3. Date of birth: November 5, 1987

4. Place of birth: Tien Giang

5. Decision on student admission No.: 2123/2011/QD-XHNV-SDH. Dated: November 1, 2011, by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

6. Changes in the training process: Extending the training period from 2 years to 3 years.

7. Thesis title:"Research on the competitiveness of Tien Giang province as a tourist destination"

8. Major: Tourism Code: (Pilot Training Program)

9. Scientific supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Minh Hoa

10. Summary of the thesis results:

Tien Giang province possesses many advantages as a tourist destination compared to neighboring provinces. The province's competitiveness is demonstrated through several strengths: abundant tourism resources, particularly eco-tourism focusing on rivers, waterways, and orchards, creating a special appeal for visitors; tourism products that suit the preferences of tourists, especially meeting the basic needs of international visitors; pristine landscapes and friendly people creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere of peaceful rural life; a stable political system, ensuring social order and safety; Tien Giang province's advantageous location on a major transportation route connecting provinces in the region; and reasonable prices. These advantages of the province's tourism industry have made it attractive to tourists.

However, during the development of tourism in Tien Giang province, many limitations still exist, such as: tourism products are still poor and repetitive, failing to create a distinct tourism brand for the province; the workforce does not adequately meet the needs of tourists due to limited skills; entertainment services are unattractive and lack high-end entertainment options; promotion and advertising are not carried out extensively and effectively; capital mobilization and implementation of tourism projects are often delayed and do not meet development needs in a timely manner; management and inspection of tourism establishments are not strict and consistent; tourism resources and the environment are not exploited and used rationally; the application of information technology in tourism activities is not widespread; international recognition of specific destination products is not high; and facilities and services supporting tourism development are limited and incomplete.

To enhance the competitiveness and operational efficiency of tourism in Tien Giang province, the author has proposed several solutions such as: increasing investment capital mobilization; diversifying tourism products; training and developing tourism human resources; improving the effectiveness of state management in tourism; strengthening tourism promotion and marketing; protecting the ecological environment and developing sustainable tourism; strengthening security and safety in tourism; and cooperation and linkages for development.

11. Practical applications:

This thesis provides an overview of the tourism competitiveness of Tien Giang province, thereby contributing to the development of effective tourism solutions.

Tien Giang, September 5, 2014

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name: Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tham 2. Sex: Female

3. Date of birth: November 5, 1987 4. Place of birth: Tien Giang

5. Admission decision number: 2123/2011/QD-XHNV-SDH Dated: November 1, 2011 of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University of Hanoi

6. Changes in academic process: Extend the training period from 2 years to 3 years course

7. Official thesis title:“Tourist competitiveness research of Tien Giang province destination”

8. Major: Tourism; 9. Code: (Experiment training program)

10. Supervisors: Professor Tran Thi Minh Hoa

11. Summary of the findings of the thesis:

Competitiveness for tourist destination of Tien Giang province has more advantages than other neighboring provinces. These elements below are shown as competitiveness of the province like: the rich tourism resources, especially river, gardens eco-tourism create a very special attraction for tourists; the province's tourism product is suitable with the interest of visitors, especially the international visitors; fresh air, friendly people create the feeling of intimacy and warmth of the peaceful life in the country side; stable policies and safety; Tien Giang province locates on the main traffic axis connecting to other provinces in the region; the goods price is reasonable. These advantages have created the attraction for tourists.

However, during the process of developing tourism, Tien Giang has many drawbacks such as: tourist services is severly finite, repetitive destination and tourist activities and therefore yet to have its own name for tourism; untrained staffs could not satisfy customers requirements; entertainment is disapointing, lacking of entertainments; promotion process is not effective; mobilizing capital and implementation of tourism projects are slow and not responding to the required development; managing and tourist complanies are lax and ineffective; tourism resources and environment are not exploited and utilized properly; there is no widespread application of information technology; the awareness of foreigners to Tien Giang tourism is low; facilities and services supporting for tourism development is limited and undeveloped.

To improve competitivenes as well as productivity of Tien Giang tourism, the researcher proposes some solutions such as: attracting more investment, diversifying tourism products; improving the training and development of tourism human resources; enhancing the governance management about tourism; increase promotion for tourism; protecting the ecology, developing a sustainable tourism; ensure the safety and security in tourism; cooperating for mutual benefits.

12. Practical applicability, if any:

This thesis provides a general view about Tien Giang tourism competitiveness and proposes some solutions for an effective tourism development.