Scientific Workshop on Rural Tourism Value Chain

Attending the workshop were Dr. Nguyen Minh Tien (Chief of the Central Office for New Rural Area Coordination), Mr. Nguyen Van Chi Pho (Chief of the Hanoi Office for New Rural Area Coordination), Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan (Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Minh Hoa (Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU) along with managers, scientists, and tourism researchers.

Rural tourism associated with Vietnam's major agricultural production areas is a type of tourism that is increasingly attracting the attention of domestic and foreign tourists. Developing rural tourism not only contributes significantly to socio-economic development and economic restructuring in rural areas, but also contributes to poverty reduction by attracting people to participate in the tourism value chain. Thereby creating job opportunities, increasing income for people, promoting traditional cultural values ​​in the villages.

In order for rural tourism to be more effective and bring practical benefits to farmers; there needs to be practical investment to diversify products and experience activities for tourists; especially to promote the comprehensive effectiveness of the advantageous value chains of rural Vietnam. To contribute to realizing these goals, the scientific workshop "Rural tourism value chain associated with the National Target Program on New Rural Development in Vietnam: From theory to practice" was organized to identify and discuss issues related to rural value chains in practice.

In their opening speeches, representatives of the organizing units emphasized the significance and importance of this scientific conference.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan mentioned Resolution 08/NQ-TW establishing the goal of making Vietnam tourism a key economic sector by 2020. With the characteristics of an agricultural country, the topic of rural tourism is of interest to many units, including educational institutions. For the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU-HCM, this scientific conference is part of the important task of developing solutions for rural tourism value chains associated with building new rural areas in Vietnam that the University participates in.

Associate Professor, Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan speaks at the conference

Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Thi Minh Hoa emphasized that the role of educational institutions in the development of rural tourism is indispensable. At the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU, the tourism sector has been given attention and interest for nearly 30 years with the implementation of training in Tourism Studies, Tourism Service Management and Travel at the Faculty of Tourism. The Faculty has organized many seminars and conferences on the topic of tourism. Participating in this conference, scientists from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU hope to contribute consulting opinions to managers, agencies and businesses operating in tourism.

Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Thi Minh Hoa speaking at the conference

In addition, this workshop is organized within the framework of cooperation between the two universities, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities under the Vietnam National University, Hanoi and the Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City. Therefore, this is also an opportunity for the two universities to promote future cooperation in various fields of research and training.

From the perspective of state management agencies, Dr. Nguyen Minh Tien shared that the workshop will create opportunities for scientists to discuss and find ways to promote the value of rural tourism, effectively serving the cause of building a new countryside. He hopes that the opinions, ideas and recommendations from the workshop will be applied to create practical changes in the localities implementing tourism.

Dr. Nguyen Minh Tien speaks at the conference

Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Dr. Nguyen Minh Tien and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan chaired the discussion session.

After the opening session and introductory reports, the workshop listened to 5 presentations from speakers:

“Some basic issues on rural tourism and rural tourism value chain” by Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Trung Luong (Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development)

“Some opinions on exploiting outstanding intangible cultural heritage in rural tourism value chains: The case of Quan Ho, Then singing and Xoan singing” by Dr. Trinh Le Anh – Associate Professor Ngo Quang Minh (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU)

“World experience and orientation for rural tourism development in the Mekong Delta” by Dr. Ngo Thanh Lam (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU-HCM)

“Rural tourism in overcoming tourism seasonality and promoting rural resources, contributing to improving the lives of Vietnamese farmers (Lessons from Tanaka Farm, California, USA)” by Dr. Do Hai Yen (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU)

“Participation of the agricultural sector and solutions to enhance the value of agricultural products and efficiency when participating in the tourism value chain” by Dr. Ngo Kieu Oanh (Director of Ba Vi Countryside Farm)