Balancing Agriculture and Tourism in Vietnam by Agritourism and Recommendations

Thi To Ngoc DO

Master's thesis

Balancing agriculture and non-farm activities for sustainable development in Vietnam

Abstract:

Agriculture and Tourism both are important to Vietnam's economy, hence the solution to harmonize the two is the motivation of the studies. Agritourism was suggested as the means to combine the aforementioned sector. Therefore, this research seeks to answer what is the current state of agritourism in Vietnam and what to recommend through case studies. Although being a country with agricultural advantages, as much potential for agritourism development, what has been implemented is not compatible. Few provinces have systematically integrated agritourism into development policy. In addition, from case studies analysis, the status of agritourism development is not sustainable since only economic development was focused on. Therefore, the introduction of CISP case studies was to give insights and examples of sustainable tourism. Furthermore, SWOT analysis was performed to understand better the context of Vietnam and finally policy recommendation. In the action plan proposed based on policy recommendation, short term actions refer mostly to the response to the pandemic, while in the long term, central government should invest more on education, infrastructure, engaging stakeholders while local authority should strengthen their role in ensuring well communication between central government and community.

Abstract:

Agriculture and Tourism both are important to Vietnam's economy, hence the solution to harmonize the two is the motivation of the studies. Agritourism was suggested as the means to combine the aforementioned sector. Therefore, this research seeks to answer what is the current state of agritourism in Vietnam and what to recommend through case studies. Although being a country with agricultural advantages, as much potential for agritourism development, what has been implemented is not compatible. Few provinces have systematically integrated agritourism into development policy. In addition, from case studies analysis, the status of agritourism development is not sustainable since only economic development was focused on. Therefore, the introduction of CISP case studies was to give insights and examples of sustainable tourism. Furthermore, SWOT analysis was performed to understand better the context of Vietnam and finally policy recommendation. In the action plan proposed based on policy recommendation, short term actions refer mostly to the response to the pandemic, while in the long term, central government should invest more on education, infrastructure, engaging stakeholders while local authority should strengthen their role in ensuring well communication between central government and community.

Keywords

Agritourism, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Tourism, Vietnam, Tourism, Policy Recommendation

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 31. 5. 2021

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: prof. Maria Sassi

Palacký University Olomouc

Faculty of Science

Master programme / field:
Geography / International Development Studies