TTLV: Developing responsible tourism in Lo Lo Chai village, Lung Cu commune, Dong Van district, Ha Giang province.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MASTER'S THESIS

1. Student's full name: Nguyen Thi Hong Lien

2. Gender: Female

3. Date of birth: October 5, 2001

4. Place of birth: Bac Ninh

5. Decision number for student admission:Decision No. 5626/QD-XHNV dated December 29, 2023By the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

6. Changes in the training process: None

7. Thesis title: Responsible tourism development in Lo Lo Chai village, Lung Cu commune, Dong Van district, Ha Giang province

8. Major: Tourism; Code: 8810101.01

9. Scientific supervisor: Dr. Vu Huong Lan, Faculty of Tourism Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

10. Summary of the thesis results:

This thesis comprehensively analyzed the current state of responsible tourism development in Lo Lo Chai village through a multi-dimensional interactive model involving five key stakeholders, with a focus on the local community. The research results indicate that the tourism model here has achieved success: 100% of the community agrees on the effectiveness of cultural preservation, the poverty rate has significantly decreased from 40% to 15% thanks to tourism-based livelihoods, and tourist satisfaction is at its highest level. However, the study also uncovered concerning issues such as low levels of genuine community participation in decision-making (only 18.3%), an unfair benefit-sharing mechanism, and weak and uncoordinated cooperation between the government, businesses, and the community.

Based on SWOT analysis and the current situation, this thesis proposes building a multi-stakeholder governance model, prioritizing community empowerment through the establishment of tourism cooperatives and local coordinating boards. Specific solutions include: issuing a code of conduct for responsible tourism, standardizing homestay services linked to the preservation of traditional rammed earth houses, and establishing a community development fund to regulate economic benefits. These solutions aim to resolve the conflict between rapid development and preservation, ensuring the authenticity of Lo Lo culture in the face of commercialization.

11. Practical applications:

In terms of practical application, the research results provide a scientific and specific reference framework to help the authorities of Ha Giang province and Dong Van district formulate policies to maintain the title of "World's Best Tourist Village 2025"This has just been achieved. The model and evaluation criteria developed in this thesis are not only applicable to Lo Lo Chai but also have high scalability value for other ethnic minority destinations in Vietnam, helping localities achieve a harmonious balance between the three pillars: economy, society, and environment in the context of international integration."

12. Future research directions:

From the results of the empirical study on the responsible tourism model in Lo Lo Chai village, it can be seen that the topic has initially clarified the interaction mechanism between stakeholders and the practical effectiveness at the local level. However, to further deepen and enhance the scientific value, future research needs to go beyond the scope of a single destination, while also supplementing quantitative measurement tools and institutional frameworks. Three main directions are typical examples:

Firstly, the research should be expanded to compare models among different ethnic minority communities. Surveying and comparing Lo Lo Chai village with destinations in similar contexts (such as community-based tourism villages of the Hmong, Dao, or other "tourism villages" in Vietnam) will help build a more comprehensive picture. Based on this, the research can identify common success factors and recognize specific cultural variables, providing an important basis for replicating the responsible tourism model at the regional and national levels.

Secondly, develop and validate quantitative models of "tourism carrying capacity" and "local product value chains"..In the context of the risk of overcrowding at popular tourist destinations, it is necessary to develop scientific measurement tools such as "socio-ecological carrying capacity indices" or in-depth analyses of the "value chains of OCOP products" of ethnic minorities. These studies not only supplement the theoretical framework of sustainable development but also provide early warning indicators, directly serving the planning and carrying capacity management of local authorities.

Third, focus on in-depth research into the institutionalization of the multi-stakeholder governance model and mechanisms for community empowerment..Given the limitations in current coordination, it is necessary to conduct an in-depth analysis of the feasibility of new organizational models such as "Community Tourism Cooperatives" or "Destination Management Councils" within Vietnam's specific socio-political context. This would be a practical contribution, offering both theoretical value regarding community self-determination and high applicability in addressing the issue of equitable benefit sharing and minimizing conflicts among stakeholders.

13. The published works related to the thesis:

Nguyen Thi Hong Lien, Nguyen Xuan Hai (2024).Current situation of responsible tourism in Lo Lo Chai Village (Lung Cu Commune, Dong Van District, Ha Giang Province, Vietnam)The 12^thInternational Conference on Multidisciplinary Research (ICMR) in Conjunction with the 1^stInternational and National Symposium on Economics and Sustainable Development (INSESD) 2024, ISBN: 978-604-924-836-8.

Vu Huong Lan, Nguyen Thi Hong Lien (2025).The role of the local community in responsible tourism development in Lo Lo Chai Village, Lung Cu Commune, Tuyen Quang Province.Proceedings of the International Conference on Contemporary Issues in Tourism Research. VNU University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi In partnership with Rikkyo University, Japan. ISBN: 978-632-621-845-9.

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name: Nguyen Thi Hong Lien

2. Sex: Female

3. Date of birth: 05/10/2001

4. Place of birth: Bac Ninh

5. Admission decision number: 5626/QD-XHNV dated December 29, 2023, issued by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

6. Changes in academic process: None

7. Official thesis title: Responsible tourism development in Lo Lo Chai Village, Lung Cu Commune, Dong Van District, Ha Giang Province.

8. Major: Tourism

9. Code: 8810101.01

10. Supervisors: Dr. Vu Huong Lan - Faculty of Tourism Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

11. Summary of the findings of the thesis:

The thesis provides a comprehensive analysis of the current situation of responsible tourism development in Lo Lo Chai Village through a multidimensional interaction model involving five key stakeholders, with a particular emphasis on the local community. The results reveal that the tourism model has achieved notable successes: 100% community consensus on the effectiveness of cultural preservation; a significant reduction in the poverty rate from 40% to 15% due to tourism-based livelihoods; and exceptionally high tourist satisfaction levels. However, the study also identifies several issues, including the limited substantive participation of local residents in decision-making (only 18.3%), inequitable benefit-sharing mechanisms, and weak coordination among local authorities, businesses, and the community, which remains insufficiently institutionalized.

Based on the SWOT analysis and the actual conditions, the thesis proposes the development of a multi-stakeholder governance model that prioritizes empowering the community through the establishment of a Tourism Cooperative and a Local Coordination Committee. Specific solutions include issuing a code of conduct for responsible tourism, standardizing homestay services in connection with the preservation of the traditional earthen-wall houses, and establishing a community development fund to regulate economic benefits. These solutions aim to address the tension between rapid tourism growth and heritage preservation, ensuring the authenticity of Lo Lo cultural values ​​against the risks of commercialization.

12. Practical applicability:

In terms of practical applicability, the research findings provide a scientific and concrete reference framework that can support the authorities of Ha Giang Province and Dong Van District in formulating policies to sustain the recently awarded title of “Best Tourism Village in the World 2025.” The model and evaluation criteria developed in the thesis are not only suitable for Lo Lo Chai but also offer high potential for replication in other ethnic minority destinations across Vietnam. This contributing to helping localities achieve a harmonious balance among the three pillars of sustainable development—economic, social, and environmental—within the context of international integration.

13. Further research directions:

Based on the empirical findings on the responsible tourism model in Lo Lo Chai Village, the study has initially elucidated the mechanisms of stakeholder interaction and the tangible outcomes observed at the local level. However, to deepen the understanding and enhance scientific value, future research should move beyond the scope of a single destination and incorporate more robust quantitative measurement tools and institutional frameworks. Three major research directions are proposed:

First, expand the study through comparative analysis across different ethnic minority communities. Examining and contrasting Lo Lo Chai with other destinations of similar characteristics—such as Hmong, Dao, or other “tourism villages” in Vietnam—would help construct a more comprehensive picture. Such comparative research can identify universal success factors as well as culturally specific variables, thereby offering a strong foundation for scaling up responsible tourism models at regional and national levels.

Second, developing and testing quantitative models related to “tourism carrying capacity” and “local product value chains.” Amid growing concerns about overtourism in popular destinations, it is essential to formulate scientific easurement tools such as “eco–social carrying capacity indices” or in-depth analyzes of “value chains of ethnic minority OCOP products.” These studies would contribute to the theoretical foundations of sustainable development while providing early-warning indicators to support local governments in planning and managing destination capacity.

Third, conducting in-depth research on the institutionalization of multi-stakeholder governance and mechanisms for community empowerment. Given the current limitations in stakeholder coordination, future studies should examine the considerations of new governance structures—such as Community-Based Tourism Cooperatives or Destination Management Councils—within Vietnam's specific socio-political context. This direction offers meaningful contributions both to the theoretical discourse on community self-determination and to practical applications in ensuring fair benefit-sharing and mitigating stakeholder conflicts.

14. Thesis-related publications:

Nguyen, THL, & Nguyen, XH (2024).Current situation of responsible tourism in Lo Lo Chai Village (Lung Cu Commune, Dong Van District, Ha Giang Province, Vietnam).Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research (ICMR) in conjunction with the 1st International and National Symposium on Economics and Sustainable Development (INSESD), 978-604-924-836-8.

Vu, HL, & Nguyen, THL (2025).The role of the local community in responsible tourism development in Lo Lo Chai Village, Lung Cu Commune, Tuyen Quang Province.Proceedings of the International Conference on Contemporary Issues in Tourism Research, VNU University of Social Sciences and Humanities, in partnership with Rikkyo University, 978-632-621-845-9.