Our goal is to provide valuable information about the experiences of international tourists when enjoying Vietnamese street food in Hanoi.. The significance of the projectThe context of
Trang 1HANOI OPEN UNIVERSITYFACULTY OF TOURISM
-***** -ENGLISH FOR TOURISM 5FINAL ASSIGNMENT
Project: Street Food Course instructor : Phan Thị Phương Mai
Trang 2CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION1 Background of the project
This project was carried out by group 1 of class A5K29 for the purpose of serving the midterm exam Our goal is to provide valuable information about the experiences of international tourists when enjoying Vietnamese street food in Hanoi In this way, we aim to contribute to improving the quality and overall experience for both lecturers and students, providing an in-depth and comprehensive view of Vietnamese culinary culture.
2 The significance of the projectThe context of the issue:
The theme "Foreign tourists' experiences about Vietnamese street food" is set in the context of the tourism market increasingly focusing on local cultural and culinary experiences This reflects modern trends as travelers seek unique and deeper experiences when visiting a country Enjoying street food has become an important part of the travel experience, the best way to explore local culture and create special memories This study aims to better understand how foreign tourists evaluate and enjoy Vietnamese street food, while contributing to promoting Vietnam's cultural and tourism image in the international market.
The reason for choosing the topic:
We chose the topic "Foreign tourists' experiences about Vietnamese street food" because this is an important area to gain a deeper understanding of cultural values and at the same time bring valuable information about feelings and visitor reviews This research can help improve the quality of street food, while contributing to cultural exchanges and promoting Vietnam's image in the international arena This topic not only explores culinary culture but also brings practical and positive messages for the development of tourism and the Vietnamese culinary industry.
The significance of the project:
This project's main goal is to research and evaluate in detail the experiences of foreign tourists when they enjoy Vietnamese street food in the capital Hanoi We focus on collecting diverse and detailed information from visitors, to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that influence their satisfaction and evaluation of Vietnamese street food.
Through what we do, we hope to not only contribute to improving the quality of street food but also create a comprehensive picture of the culinary experiences that international visitors bring back from Vietnam This project will help create a rich database, useful for both the tourism and culinary industries, providing detailed and in-depth information about the cultural interactions between tourists and culinary specialties of Vietnam.
Trang 33 Objectives of the project
The project aims to understand the perceptions of foreign tourists regarding street food in Vietnam, identify their favorite dishes, and propose solutions for promotional development and service improvement The goal is to enhance the overall experience and create opportunities for cultural exchange between foreign tourists and the Vietnamese community After this project, we aspire to improve English communication skills, enhance teamwork abilities, and develop proficiency in reporting and assimilating in-depth information about Vietnamese street food from the perspective of international travelers
4 Methodology of the study4.1 Data collection
The method we use is in-depth interviews to collect customer reviews The interviews were conducted on 15 tourists from different professions and all ages who have tried and learned about Hanoi Street food when traveling in Vietnam Question list of 20 questions (including closed and open questions) arranged in a reasonable order, according to different categories Students will ask questions of visitors to get their opinions in the most objective way.
4.2 Data analysis
We mainly use Excel software as a tool to analyze and process collected information We then aggregate and compare the data based on each subtopic to produce the final result graphically The pie charts show the importance of categorizing items by specific percentages Column charts mainly present statistics about visitor intent Meanwhile, tables are applied to assess guest satisfaction depending on the questions written in each subtopic.
4.3 Writing a report
Based on the exported data and charts, a report will be prepared to clarify the notable points that guests have evaluated as well as make recommendations, changes, and further develop Vietnamese cuisine in general and Vietnamese cuisine in general and Hanoi street food in particular.
5 Scope of the project
The project implementation period is from December 2023 to January 2024 Performed directly at 2 locations: Hanoi Old Quarter, and Hoan Kiem Lake The number of guests participating in the interview and qualifying was 15 guests, coming from many different countries.
6 Structure of the project report
The written report includes three main parts: Introduction, Body, Conclusion & Recommendations In chapter I - Introduction, we will represent some general information about the project background, objectives of the
Trang 4study, methodology, scope, and structure When it comes to the next chapter II – Main content, will be displayed including questionnaires and in-depth interview questions, and then we will describe and discuss the results collected from it At the end of this chapter, the consequences will be discussed comprehensively Finally, in chapter III - Conclusion & Recommendations, we will have a conclusion, recommendations for improving customer satisfaction, and a reflection on the project.
CHAPTER II BODY1 Description of the data collection process
The process of collecting data from interviews with foreign tourists about Vietnamese street food has brought many challenges and rich experiences for us We have set a research goal of collecting opinions and experiences of tourists at two famous locations: Hoan Kiem walking street and Hanoi Old Quarter
To obtain diverse and authentic opinions, we chose a direct interview method with one person or a group These conversations are designed to further explore tourists' culinary experiences, personal preferences, and reviews of Hanoi Street specialties Their ages are widely distributed, from young people to older tourists, creating a multi-dimensional picture of street food experiences This diversity not only helps us better understand their preferences and travel trends, but also enriches their perspective and assessment of Hanoi cuisine Not only coming from a single country, the tourists participating in the interview came from many countries around the world Tourists' travel purposes are also very diverse, from discovering new cultures, enjoying unique cuisine to learning about the country's history and architecture Naturally, in order for them to be able to exchange information, we will mostly target tourists who have an understanding of Hanoi Street food or who have experienced it and can speak a little English.
To approach and interview tourists, we had to create a specific, flexible, and creative plan to optimize opportunities to reach tourists and collect quality data On the first day at Hoan Kiem Lake walking street, we chose Ao Dai as our outfit, walked around the lake and gently asked people who seemed to have free time if they could participate in our survey us or not is how we reach tourists On the first day, due to our lack of confidence, interpersonal skills and ability to ask questions, our first day report was of poor quality To be able to improve the results, we had to practice a lot more, change our approach, and prepare certain scenarios to ensure we would not have problems when talking to visitors In addition, we also gave each tourist participating in the interview a small gift of Lang Vong sticky rice as a thank you for their cooperation As expected, after the second interview in Hanoi's Old Quarter, we collected a number of excellent reports The guests who participated in
Trang 5travelers have difficulty reaching out or are hesitant to participate in an interview This may be due to crowded environments, difficulty in locating, or background noise The next difficulty comes from some guests' lack of understanding of English This reduces their ability to communicate their ideas and creates a barrier in the communication process In addition, many guests' tight schedules prevent them from having enough time to participate in interviews comfortably It is worth noting that, despite these challenges, tourists' attitudes often demonstrate support and willingness to participate Some guests showed understanding when we tried to reach them, even offering suggestions on suitable locations for interviews Instead of feeling inconvenienced, they often show concern and want to share their experiences.
To overcome these challenges, we have found creative solutions Instead of meeting guests randomly, we held interviews at flexible hours, which helped optimize their participation Using banners, descriptive images, and basic translations helped enhance communication, especially with guests who were not fluent in English
Looking back, although the data collection process was full of challenges, it was also a promising journey The genuine contributions of tourists have created valuable sources of information about Vietnamese street food experiences We believe that, through these efforts and innovations, the data collected will help enrich knowledge about culinary culture
2 Results and discussion
2.1 Guest’s personal information2.1.1 Age
The pie chart isllulates that age of foreign tourists enjoying Hanoi street food We can see that the average age from 20 to 33 is quite similar, accounting for an average of about 33% and the remaining minority is only 6%
Trang 6Regardless of age, foreign tourist trying street food in Hanoi can expect to encounter a rich tapestry of flavors, including iconic dishes like Pho (noodle soup), Banh Mi (Vietnamese sandwich), and various types of springs rolls The bustling street market, filled with aroma of grilled meats, fresh herbs and local spices, offer a unique and immersive culinary experience that is a highlight of visiting Hanoi It’s not just about the food; it’s about the vibrant and opportunity to connect with the local culture in a meaningful way
2.1.2 Gender and nation
The percentage of male and female tourists that visited at least one street food in Hanoi is displayed in the first pie chart Male interview participants make up a larger percentage of the sample overall than female participants do.
On the second pie chart above with nine board types displayed the nationality of the tourists that we interviewed It can be seen from the chart that 6 in 16 persons, that means 19% and also the majority of our interviewees are German and French Particularly, two Polish, Australian, Italian people, accounted for 13% And other nations, for example: Chile, Russia, Spain, USA, etc have a similar proportion of 6% with one person In conclusion, Vietnamese tourism welcomes German and French tourists more than other countries.
Trang 72.2.1 Some Street food
Description
A bar chart is utilized to illustrate the popularity and preference levels of various street foods in Vietnam as reported by foreign tourists The data reveals that Pho stands out prominently, with 14 out of 15 surveyed individuals being aware of it, and half of them expressing a liking for this dish Banh Mi also enjoys widespread recognition, with 10 people being familiar with it and 4 expressing a preference Both Egg Coffee and Bun Cha share the statistic of 6 individuals being aware and 2 individuals liking each dish However, despite the awareness and interest in dishes such as Banh Xeo or Com, the survey participants show limited enthusiasm for these options Innovative approaches may be needed to enhance awareness and attract tourists to these particular street foods.
Pho is an iconic dish in Vietnamese cuisine, widely recognized and adored by tourists Regarded as the "national dish," Pho is not just a meal but a symbol of the unique, refined, and elegant lifestyle of the Vietnamese people Tourists are captivated by the simple combination of tender Phở noodles, savory bone broth, beef, chicken, fresh herbs, and hoisin sauce, creating an explosively flavorful gastronomic experience Besides, Banh Mi, described as a "popular, familiar, and convenient" food, is another favorite among tourists With various variations including pate, fried eggs, sliced Thai-style sausage, chorizo, shredded pork, pork floss, barbecue pork, and accompanied by fresh herbs, pickles, and chili sauce, Bánh Mì offers a diverse culinary experience.
Chart 4 Street foods that foreigners know and like
Trang 8aromatic taste of egg coffee, found in establishments such as Café Giang, which has been serving this specialty for over 50 years Bun Cha, a distinctive dish from Hanoi, also garners attention and admiration from many tourists Comprising vermicelli, thinly sliced or minced pork, and a sweet and sour chili sauce with salted herbs, Bun Cha delivers a harmonious blend of flavors Although less known, other Vietnamese street foods possess unique characteristics and flavors that could attract tourists with creative promotional strategies.
2.2.2 Information sources
The pie chart above describes how tourists know about Hanoi Street food The majority of tourists know about Hanoi Street food through social media like: Facebook, YouTube, Tik Tok or some websites about food, accounting for 67% Besides, they are introduced by their friends, colleagues that they have experienced before, accounting for 20% The lowest percentage of tourists (10%) was when they were walking around the street, they accidentally saw some food and then tried it.
According to participants from the in-depth interview, Hanoi Street food is well-known and attracts both domestic and foreign tourists A combination of online visibility, positive word-of-mouth, cultural trends, and active promotion by tourism authorities contributes to foreign tourists' awareness of Hanoi's street food The interconnectedness of these factors creates a dynamic ecosystem that fosters interest and exploration of the vibrant culinary scene in Hanoi.
Chart 5 How foreign tourists know about Hanoi Street food
Trang 92.2.3 Eating preferences
Chart 5: Preference level between street food and restaurant food
Chart 6: Tourist’s culinary habitsDescription
The pie chart illustrates the level of preference between street food and restaurant among tourists The majority of tourists often choose street food, accounting for 67% On the other hand, the remaining 33% of travelers prefer culinary experiences at restaurants, with only half the number
Trang 10their preference’s specific situations.
Meanwhile, the bar chart represents information about a tourist's culinary habits by showing preferences between two main forms: on the spot and take away For customers who choose street food, most of them prefer to eat on the spot, accounting for 70% The remaining 30% prefer the take away format On the contrary, guests who prefer restaurant food 100% choose to eat on-site
The differences in Hanoi tourists' choices of places to eat and types of food reflect many diverse factors in their lifestyles and personal preferences In choosing where to eat, many tourists choose the street because they like the closeness to local culture and open space On the contrary, those who choose restaurants prefer luxury experiences, care services and higher standards, often appearing in groups with higher incomes
For food format, convenience and speed quickly become a factor for tourists to choose Many travelers who prefer takeout often place high value on saving time and being flexible in their daily schedules Meanwhile, people who choose to eat on-site often want to enjoy a comfortable, relaxing space, and have time for their meals, creating a true culinary experience These culinary choices are not only a reflection of the individual but also the result of the influence of culture, living environment, and even the safety situation such as during epidemics.
2.2.4 Feeling of foreign tourists about Hanoi street food