Adventure tourism in vietnam current situation, potential and development

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY +++ DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES GRADUATION PAPER ADVENTURE TOURISM IN VIETNAM - CURRENT SITUATI~N, POTENTIAL AND DEVELOPMENT Adviser : Ms Nguyen Ngoc Hai, M.A Student : Nguyen Thi Quy Thao Student's number: 0171006 Class: LA0101 TV DQi HC?c Huflit 11111 111111111111111/1111111 101000769 Ho Chi Minh City, July 2005 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY +++ DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES GRADUATION PAPER ADVENTURE TOURISM IN VIETNAM - CURRENT SITUATION, POTENTIAL AND DEVELOPMENT Adviser : Ms Nguyen Ngoc Hai, M.A Student : Nguyen Thi Quy Thao Student's number: 0171006 Class: LA0101 Ho Chi Minh City, July 2005 ADUISER COMMENTS EXAMINER COMMENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Acknowledgements can never be made completely to all that have nourished one's intellectual life I am much grateful to all the people who helped me with this research First of all, I would like to sincerely thank Ms NGUYEN NGOC HAl, my advisor, whose line-by-Iine comments and directions have helped me very substantially during the period of carrying out this research I am also no less grateful to Foreign Language Department and HCMC University of Foreign Languages - Information Technology that gave me the opportunity to this study I cannot fail to mention the encouragement and help of my teacher in Tourism and Hospitality Department, Mr DANG THANH BINH while carrying out my research My sincere thanks also go to all the authors whose articles (on websites and newspapers) I have read and referred to complete this research In addition, I would like to express my thanks to all the respondents and interviewees who were willing to respond to my questionnaires and interviews, especially Mr NGUYEN DUC HIEU, the manager of Hong Bang Travel Company, who gave me a very warm welcome and valuable information for my study I particularly would like to send my most faithful thank to Ms TO OANH, the journalist of Tuoi Tre Newspaper, who was willing to give me much support in meeting and interviewing some tour operators Last but not least, I am particularly indebted to my parents and brother for their support and sacrifice to my study TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS i TABLE OF CONTENTS ii LIST OF TABLES AND CHARTS iii ABSTRACT iv CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW I Adventure tourism - some definitions, classifications, and characteristics II The current situation, potential, and some main products of adventure tourism in Vietnam CHAPTER 3: METHOD 12 CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION I The current situation of adventure tourism in Vietnam 13 II The potential of adventure tourism in Vietnam 18 111 Some factors that limit the development of adventure tourism in Vietnam 25 CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS I Findings and suggestions 31 II Limitation 33 APPENDICES Appendix A 34 Appendix B 36 Appendix C 38 Appendix D 40 REFERENCE 42 ii LIST OF TABLES Page Table 1: Ideas of people in travel companies about the awareness of tourists to AT in VN 14 Table 2: The popularity of AT in VN 14 Table 3: The number of tourists taking part in AT in VN from the view of people in travel companies 15 Table 4: The diversification of AT's products in VN 16 Table 5: Opinions of people from travel companies about the care and investment of government of AT in VN Table 6: The potential of AT in VN 17 18 Table 7: The greatest potential of AT in VN according to people in travel companies 19 Table 8: Products of AT existed in VN 20 Table 9: The attraction of AT in VN from the view of people in travel companies 22 Table 10: Respondents in travel companies consider the interest of tourists in AT in VN 22 Table 11: Some favorite AT's products according to people in travel companies 24 Table 12: Factors limit the development of AT in VN in tourists' opinions 26 Table 13: Factors that limit the development of AT in VN according to people in travel companies 27 Table 14: Some measures should be carried out to develop AT in VN 28 Table 15: Some most important measures should be carried out by the government 29 Chart 1: The awareness of tourists about AT in VN 13 Chart 2: The diversification of AT's products in VN according to tourists 16 Chart 3: The greatest potential of AT in VN according to tourists 19 Chart 4: The attraction of AT in VN according to tourists 21 Chart 5: The interest of tourists in AT in VN 23 Chart 6: Some favorite AT's products according to tourists 24 iii ABSTRACT Nowadays, along with the development of the economy, travel industry is becoming an indispensable demand in people's life Therefore, to meet the need of traveling, various types of travel have been appeared Among many interesting types of travel, adventure tourism is an attracting and unique one, which is gradually becoming a favorite type This type of tourism has been developed in many countries Many books have discussed its situation and potential as well as development strategy However, as adventure tourism has not been popular in Vietnam, not much consideration is taken into for this type of tourism Therefore, the main purpose of this research was to help identify the current situation, potential and to offer some recommendations to develop adventure tourism in Vietnam In order to accomplish this research, both questionnaires and interviews were used with the support of tourists and those involving in travel industry such as tour operators, tour guides The findings showed that adventure tourism in Vietnam has not strongly developed because of various reasons such as the lack of professional factors (skills, organization, equipments, labor force), the risk, the high expense, etc However, Vietnam also has many advantages to develop adventure tourism, e.g the diversified geography, the abundant labor force, the plentiful travel market In order to develop this type of tourism, some measures should be soon carried out such as advertising, training skillful labor force, investing in professional equipments, designing more types for adventure tours The research also suggested what to overcome if a travel company wished to invest in adventure tourism The writer of this paper hoped it might be a useful document for businessmen who are interested in and want to develop adventure tourism in Vietnam iv CHAPTER! ~ INTRODUCTION The investment of the government work in travel companies measures (6/10) Maybe many companies reasons skillful want to organize labor force also should encourage organize adventure tours reducing complicated business, etc This tours but they contributes sell this type of tourism more travel companies good conditions in registering to the Besides, the to invest in and for them the rights such as to adventure Respondents Some measures labor force should carry out adventure and capital by creating formalities and training that the government only a few travel companies government in Table 15 People who think that capital investment are the two most important not have enough is specified in travel companies that Number Order of respondents of priority should be carried out • Capital investment • Training labor force 2 • Encouraging more travel companies in organizing AT •.Taking care of advertising AT in VN Table 15: Some most important measures should be carried out by government All of interviewees However, they believe agree with all the measures that training a skillful measure that should be done first Moreover, another necessary way that asserts that the government force and solving the formalities including outsides get acquainted activities investing in capital more effective for companies' with adventure labor force must be much takes support suggested is an important in equipments He suggests training the labor organizing tours in order to help them tourism In addition, the government 29 is also care of Mr Hieu also investment, employees above should encourage travel companies to develop this type as well as creating more conditions for them to comply necessary formalities In general, Vietnam still experience, beside some potential has some problems elements, adventure as high risk, advertising, tourism in labor force, expense, products, investment that limited the development of this type However, if those measures above can be soon carried out, it is possible that adventure tourism can be strongly develop and become one of the most favorite type of tourism 30 CHAPTERS CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS I FINDINGS The research was undertaken with the aim to identify the current situation, the potential in Vietnam and suggest some recommendations to develop this type of tourism in Vietnam The findings were based on the analysis of data collected from both questionnaires Vietnam and interviews is still companies It was found a new one among that adventure many other types tourism Only few travel organized these adventure tours, and the professionalism specification in and are in a low grade Moreover, the adventure products are not diversified Although some travel companies organized these tours, most of them lean toward enjoying beautiful landscapes destinations - the most important characteristic of the unpopularity than exploring the of adventure tours Because of adventure tourism in Vietnam that only few tourists know as well as take part in this type In addition, the care and investment of the government in this type of tourism in the current situation is poor The government has not really had any effective measures to improve or develop - ; this type f1A - J;pT: The research also pointed out some potential of adventure tourism in Vietnam The greatest potential agreed by most respondents is the diversified geography Vietnam with a lot of caves, rivers, mountains, cliffs, etc creates favorable conditions for developing adventure tours Besides, the abundant labor force is another advantage of Vietnam If the labor force is well trained, this can provide a great help to tourism in general, and to adventure tourism year, Vietnam in specific Receiving a great number of tourists each has a large tourism market This is also a potential for Vietnam to develop adventure tourism In addition to some potential above, the trend of tourists also has much effect on adventure tourism Most tourists agree that adventure tourism is an attracting type of tourism And they also express their interest in this type This is an advantage for travel companies to exploit and develop this type of tourism 31 - Owning a great potential, however, adventure tourism in Vietnam has not strongly research developed that high because risk, of some advertising, reasons labor force, It is obvious experience, in the expense, products, investment are the limitations of adventure tourism High risk is an element that cannot avoid when attending adventure tours Although having an abundant labor force, they are not well trained Consequently, this potential lack of experience has much effect knowledge somehow becomes in adventure tourism a limitation Besides, the in organizing these adventure tours is also a factor that in this type Travel as well as experience companies of this type have not had enough In order to organize an adventure tour, the expense for buying equipments make up nearly a half of total expense imported The reason Additionally, companies is that all of these the products equipments have to be of this type are still limited have not take full advantage of the diversified design more tours for tourists Advertising Travel geography to is also an important factor that has not been much taken care of Finally, the low level in the government's management also limits the developing of adventure tourism in Vietnam Due to the limitations, some more recommendations are suggested In order to expand this type of tourism to more tourists, beside advertising, the government as well as travel companies need to concentrate on investing in , this type e.g organize - , . more tours, increase capital investment, invest in equipments, etc In addition, adventure tourism is still a spontaneous activity -that is organized ~ government's severally support , - Many destinations Thus, to enlarge this type of tourism, the in solving necessary formalities is very importflnt -suitable for organizing adventure tours; however, because of some political reasons (that place locates near a observatory of the army) that limit these activities Although some travel companies have organized adventure tours, these tours are not diversified and interesting enough in both skillful products professional and organization Training a labor force with knowledge and experience is an essential thing that should be soon carried out Moreover, travel companies should design more tours for different types of tourists (age, sex, etc.) For example, to female tourists, 32 travel companies should design tours that require less power than those for male tourists In short, through the research, adventure tourism has both potential and limitations If this type of tourism is well invested, it could be a favorite type of tourism in Vietnam II LIMITATION There would be more interesting and useful findings if a larger number of interviewees were consulted researcher available Moreover, the study was limited since the could find very few research to consult papers and books in this field Finally, the documents enough information ,- 33 collected are sometimes not APPENDIX A THE QUESTIONNARE (VIETNAMESE VERSION) ? ? , ~ ,? ~ Ban khao sat ve thl/C tr~ng.tlem nang cua ""Du lich m~ohiemu t~1Vi~tNam Du Ijch m1;l0hillm dang d~n tr6' mot 101;lihinh du Itch dU'Q'cU'a chuong 6' Vi$t Nam Nh~m tim hillu them v~ 101;lihinh du Itch nay, mong quy vi tra l6'i mot s6 cau hoi ban khao sat dU'6'i day Quy vi vui long danh d~u 0' vao Y€lut6 ma minh chon h!a TM ca nhO'ng thOng tin ban khao sat chi dU'Q'cstY dl,mg lam tai li$u nghiem CLPUcho bai lucflnvan t6t nghi$p Chan cam an Sl,l'cong tac clla quy vi 1) Quy vi cho r~ng "Du lich m1;l0hillm" (DLMH) d6i v6'i khach du lich Vi$t Nam hi$n nay: a M6'i c Kh6ng m6'i b Binh thU'6'ng 2) Hi$n 101;lihinh "DLMH" 6' Vi$t Nam da dU'Q'ct6 chLPCph6 bi€ln chU'a? a R~t ph6 bi€ln d ChU'a ph6 bi€ln b Ph6 bi€ln e Hoan toan chU'a dU'Q'cbi€lt d€ln c Binh thU'6'ng 0 3) Theo quy vi, Sl,l'quan tam d~u tU' clla Nha nU'6'c d6i v6'i 101;lihinh "DLMH" 6' VN hi$n nay: o d ChU'a t6t a RM t6t e Hoan toan kh6ng quan tam o b T6t o o c Binh thU'6'ng 4) NhO'ng 101;lihinh "DLMH" nao sau day da dU'Q'Ct6 chLPC6' Vi$t Nam?(co thll chon nhi~u han mot) a Leo nui o e VU'qt thac b 8j be tren billn f Bang rung IOi su6i o g Tham hillm hang dongO o c L~n dU'6'i billn o d 8i xe VU'Q'tdia hinh h Du 1U'Q'n i Cac 101;lihinh khac 5) Hi$n s6 1U'Q'ngkhach du lich Vi$t Nam tham gia 101;lihinh "DLMH" a R~t nhi~u d Kh6ng nhi~u b Nhi~u e RM it c Trung binh 6) Theo danh gia clla quy vi, khach du lich 6' Vi$t Nam hi$n co thich 101;lihinh "DLMH" kh6ng? d Kh6ng thich a R~t thich e Hoan toan khOng thichO o b Thich o c Binh thU'6'ng o 34 7) Theo nh$n xet cua quy vi, "DLMH" la mQt loe;tihinh du Iich hcflpdan? a Hcflpdan c Khong hcflpdan b Binh thU'ang 8) Theo quy vi, cac loe;tihinh "DLMH" & Vit;lt Nam hit;ln co da de;tngkhong? a Da de;tng c Khong da de;tng b Binh thU'ang 9) Theo danh gia cua quy vi, y~u t6 nao sau day la lai th~ d€l phat tri€ln loe;tihinh "DLMH" & VN hit;ln nay? a Di€lu kit;ln dia Iy c Thj trU'ang du lich b Ngu5n nhan Il,I'c d Y ki~n khac 10)NhO'ng loe;ti hinh "DLMH" nhM? (co th€l chQn nhi€lu han a Leo nui b Di be trem bi€ln c L~n dU'ai bi€ln d Dj xe vU'Q'tdja hinh i Cac loe;tihinh khac nao sau day dU'Q'Ckhach du Ijch VN U'a chuQng mQt) e VU'Q'tthac f Bang rll'ng IQisu61 0 g Tham hi€lm hang dQngD h Dli 1U'Q'n 0 11)Theo quy vi, loe;tihinh "DLMH" & Vit;lt Nam hit;ln van chU'a phat tri€ln me;tnh vi: a Tinh nguy hi€lm cao b Quang cao chU'a t6t c Thi~u kinh nghit;lm t6 chuc g y ki~n khac d Thi~u v6n dc1utU' e San ph~m chU'a da de;tng f lJSia cao 0 12)D€l phat tri€ln loe;tihinh "DLMH" & Vit;lt Nam hit;ln nay, theo quy vi cc1nquan tam dc1utU' cong tac nao sau day? a Quang cao d Dc1u tU' trang thi~t bi phl,Jc Vl,J loai hinh o b Dao te;tOngu5n nhan Il,I'c0 c Thi~t k~ them nhi€lu loe;tihinh e T~ng v6n dc1utU' mai f Y ki~n khac o 13)Theo y ki~n cua quy vi, Nha nU'ac cc1ndc1utU' phat tri€ln "DLMH" tren ITnhVl,l'C nao? d Tang cU'ang quang cao d€l ph6 bi~n loe;tihinh "DLMH" cho mQi ngU'ai a Dc1utU' v6n b Dao te;tOngu5n nhan Il,I'c c Khuy~n khich cac cty du Ijch t6 chuc loai hinh "DLMH" e Y ki~n kh~c 35 APPENDIX B THE QUESTIONNARE (ENGLISH VERSION) A survey on the current situation and potential of Adventure tourism in Vietnam U U Adventure tourism is becoming a favorable type of tourism in Vietnam In order to know more about this type, please answer some questions below Please put a stick 0' on the answer that you choose All the information in this research is only used as document for graduation paper Thank you for your cooperation 1) In your opinion, Vietnamese tourists consider "Adventure tourism" (AT) in Vietnam at this time is: a New c Not new b Normal 2) Nowadays, AT in Vietnam is: a Very popular b Popular c Normal d Not popular e Absolutely unknown 0 3) According to you, the attention of Vietnamese government to AT in Vietnam is: a Very good d Not good b Good e Totally not good c Normal 4) Which following types of AT have been organized in Vietnam? (You could choose more than one) f Trekking o a Rock climbing o g Canyoning caving and b River rafting potholing o c Scuba diving h Hang gliding o d Mountain biking o e Crossing river i Other types 5) The number of Vietnamese tourists taking part in AT now is: a A lot d Not many b Many e Very few c Average 0 6) According to you, Vietnamese tourists like AT? a Like very much d Not like b Like e Totally not like c Neither like nor not like 0 7) You think AT in Vietnam is interesting? a Interesting b Normal o 36 c Not interesting 8) In your opinion, are AT's types in Vietnam diversified? a Diversified c Not diversified b Normal 0 9) According to your consideration, which of the following factors are the potential of AT in Vietnam? a Geography c Tourism market b Labor force d Other ideas 10) Which of following are the most favorable AT's types of Vietnamese tourists? (You can choose more than one) f Trekking a Rock climbing g Canyoning caving and b River rafting c Scuba diving potholing h Hang gliding d Mountain biking e Crossing river i Other types 11) In your opinion, AT has not strongly developed in Vietnam because of: a High risk d Investment b Advertising e Product c Experience f Expense D g Other ideas 12) In order to develop AT in Vietnam, which of the following factors should be carried out? d Investing in equipmentsD a Advertising D e Increasing capital b Training labor force D investment D c Designing more products D f Other ideas 13) In your opinion, which of the following measures the government should soon carry out to develop AT in Vietnam? d Taking care of advertising AT in a Capital investment D Vietnam D b Training labor force D c Encouraging more travel companies in organizing AT o e Other ideas 37 APPENDIX C THE QUESTIONNARE (VIETNAMESE VERSION) Ban khao sat ve doi tuqm! cua uDu lich m~ohiemu t~iUi~tNam Du lich m