TTLV: Developing ethnic cultural tourism in Simacai district, Lao Cai province

MASTER'S THESIS INFORMATION

1. Student's full name: Pham Thi Kim Anh

2. Gender: Female

3. Date of birth: April 7, 2001

4. Place of birth: Lao Cai

5. Student recognition decision No. 5410/QD-XHNV dated December 21, 2023 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

6. Changes in the training process:

7. Thesis topic: Developing ethnic cultural tourism in Simacai district, Lao Cai province

8. Major: Tourism; Code: 8810101.01

9. Scientific instructor: Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Thi Phuong Anh, Faculty of Tourism Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

10. Summary of thesis results:

The thesis has systematized the theoretical basis of ethnic cultural tourism and analyzed the development practices in Si Ma Cai district, Lao Cai province. The results of the survey, interviews and fieldwork show that Si Ma Cai possesses unique cultural resources of the Mong community with outstanding elements such as markets, festivals, cuisine, rammed earth house architecture and traditional crafts. This is an important foundation for developing distinctive cultural tourism products. However, the study also pointed out many limitations: the quality of tourism services is still rudimentary, the infrastructure is not synchronous, the connection between tourism experience and local product consumption is still weak, tourism activities are seasonal and there is no sustainable management strategy. Although the local community shows a friendly attitude and is willing to participate, professional capacity in organizing and serving tourism is still limited, leading to a gap between potential and actual exploitation efficiency.

Based on SWOT analysis, the thesis proposed a system of solutions to develop ethnic cultural tourism in a sustainable direction, including: preserving and promoting cultural values; diversifying products and services; developing infrastructure and facilities; improving community capacity; promoting and linking destinations; perfecting policy mechanisms; and ensuring the principles of sustainable development associated with environmental protection and community interests.

The research results contribute to providing scientific and practical arguments for policy planning, product development, and at the same time support the development orientation of ethnic cultural tourism in Simacai district in the direction of both effective exploitation and long-term preservation of unique cultural identity.

 11. Practical application:

The research results of the thesis can be directly applied to the planning and implementation of ethnic cultural tourism development in Si Ma Cai district. First of all, the survey data system and analysis of the current situation provide a scientific basis for local authorities and the tourism industry in assessing potential, identifying limitations and determining appropriate directions. Second, the proposed solutions can be applied in management practices, such as preserving cultural heritage, developing specific tourism products, improving community capacity and building sustainable policy mechanisms. In addition, the thesis is also a source of reference for travel businesses in tour design, for local communities in service organization, as well as for training institutions in building curricula on cultural tourism and community tourism. Thanks to that, the research is not only of academic value but also of high practical value, contributing to supporting the development of ethnic cultural tourism in Si Ma Cai effectively and sustainably.

12. Further research directions:

From the research results on the development of ethnic cultural tourism in Simacai district, it can be seen that the topic has initially contributed practical basis and application solutions. However, to continue to deepen and expand, the future research direction needs to go beyond the local scope, at the same time adding new contributions in theory and method. In which, there are three main typical directions.

Firstly, expanding the research towards inter-regional comparison to draw out general rules and specific differences. Surveying more localities with similar contexts will help build a more comprehensive picture of ethnic cultural tourism development. On that basis, the research can point out universal factors, while identifying the specific characteristics of each region, which is an important basis for policy making at regional and national levels.

Second, building and testing a new theoretical framework for research and management of cultural tourism. In the context of community tourism receiving more and more attention, it is necessary to develop applicable concepts and models such as "ethnic cultural experience value chain" or "community cultural readiness index". These concepts not only help to supplement the cultural tourism theory system, but can also become assessment and measurement tools, directly serving state management as well as travel businesses in strategic planning.

Third, focus on research on policy mechanisms and community tourism governance models. From there, propose a more appropriate policy framework and governance mechanism. This will be a practical contribution, both theoretically valuable and highly applicable, contributing to ensuring sustainability in the exploitation of ethnic cultural resources.

13. The published works related to the thesis:

Pham, TKA (2024). Potential for developing ethnic cultural tourism in Si Ma Cai district, Lao Cai province. In Institute for Economic and Tourism Development Research (Eds.),Proceedings of the international scientific conference: Sustainable tourism development - Identity, resources, international experience and solutions for Vietnam(Volume 1, pp. 106–123). Labor Publishing House. ISBN: 978-604-4992-71-6.

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name: Pham Thi Kim Anh

2. Sex: Female

3. Date of birth: April 7, 2001

4. Place of birth: Lao Cai

5. Admission decision number: 5410/QD-XHNV dated December 21, 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: Developing Ethnic Tourism in Si Ma Cai District, Lao Cai Province

8. Major: Tourism

9. Code: 8810101.01

10. Supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Thi Phuong Anh - Faculty of Tourism Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

11. Summary of the findings of the thesis:

The thesis has systematized the theoretical foundations of ethnic tourism and analyzed the practical situation of its development in Si Ma Cai District, Lao Cai Province. The results of surveys, interviews, and fieldwork reveal that Si Ma Cai possesses distinctive cultural resources of the Hmong community, with outstanding elements such as traditional markets, festivals, cuisine, earthen wall house architecture, and traditional handicrafts. These serve as an important foundation for developing unique ethnic tourism products.

However, the study also highlights several limitations: tourism services remain underdeveloped, infrastructure is not yet synchronized, the linkage between tourism experiences and local product consumption is weak, tourism activities are seasonal, and there is a lack of sustainable management strategies. Although actually the local community shows friendliness and willingness to participate, their professional capacity in organizing and providing tourism services is still limited, leading to a gap between potential and effectiveness.

Based on SWOT analysis, the thesis proposes a system of solutions for sustainable ethnic tourism development, including: preserving and promoting cultural values; diversifying tourism products and services; developing infrastructure and facilities; enhancing community capacity; strengthening promotion and destination linkages; improving mechanisms and policies; and ensure the principles of sustainability associated with environmental protection and community benefits.

The research results contribute both scientific and practical arguments for policy-making and product development, while also providing orientations for ethnic tourism development in Si Ma Cai District in a way that both exploits resources effectively and ensures the long-term preservation of distinctive cultural identities.

12. Practical applicability, if any:

The research results of the thesis can be directly applied to the planning and implementation of ethnic tourism development in Si Ma Cai District. Firstly, the system of survey data and practical analysis provides a scientific basis for local authorities and the tourism sector in assessing potential, identifying limitations, and determining appropriate development directions. Secondly, the proposed solutions can be applied in practical management, such as cultural heritage preservation, the development of distinctive tourism products, the enhancement of community capacity, and the establishment of sustainable policy mechanisms.

In addition, the thesis also serves as a useful reference for tour operators in designing itineraries, for local communities in organizing tourism services, and for educational institutions in developing curricula on cultural tourism and community-based tourism. Therefore, the study not only holds academic value but also demonstrates high practical applicability, contributing to the effective and sustainable development of ethnic tourism in Si Ma Cai.

13. Further research directions, if any:

From the research results on the development of ethnic tourism in Si Ma Cai District, it can be seen that the study has initially contributed practical foundations and applicable solutions. However, to further deepen and broaden the topic, future research should move beyond the local scope and provide new contributions in terms of theory and methodology. Three key directions can be highlighted.

Firstly, expanding research through inter-regional comparisons to identify common patterns and distinctive differences. By examining additional localities with similar contexts, a more comprehensive picture of ethnic tourism development can be constructed. On this basis, research may reveal universal elements while recognizing region-specific characteristics, thereby offering an important foundation for policy-making at both regional and national levels.

Secondly, developing and testing new theoretical frameworks for the study and management of ethnic tourism. In the context of increasing attention to community-based tourism, it is necessary to introduce applicable concepts and models such as the “ethnic cultural experience value chain” or the “community cultural readiness index.” These concepts not only enrich the theoretical system of ethnic tourism but can also serve as assessment and measurement tools, directly supporting state management as well as tour operators in strategic planning.

Thirdly, focusing on the study of policy mechanisms and models of community-based tourism governance. This would allow for the proposal of more appropriate policy frameworks and governance mechanisms. Such contributions would be both theoretically significant and highly applicable, helping to ensure sustainability in the exploitation of ethnic cultural resources.

14. Thesis-related publications:

Pham, TKA (2024). Potential for developing ethnic tourism in Si Ma Cai District, Lao Cai Province. In Institute for Economic and Tourism Development (Ed.),Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference: Sustainable Tourism Development – ​​Identity, Resources, International Experiences and Recommendations for Vietnam(Vol. 1, pp. 106–123). Labor Publishing House. ISBN: 978-604-4992-71-6.