Vai trò cộng đồng địa phương trong phát triển du lịch cộng đồng chè Thái Nguyên

The Role of Local Communities in Community-based Tourism Development in Traditional Tea Production Areas in Thai Nguyen Province, Vietnam A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Tourism Development at The University of Waikato by NGUYEN THI NGOC DUNG 2019 Số hóa bởi Trung tâm Học liệu và Công nghệ thông tin – ĐHTN http://lrc.vn ABSTRACT This thesis is a theoretical and empirical examination of the role of local communities in sustainable tourism development through community-based tourism. It reveals how community participation and empowerment in tourism could be enhanced from listening to, understanding, and integrating the voices of local people. It conceptualises a way that uniquely accounts for, and celebrates, local people’s understandings and expressions of themselves, their community and local tourism development. I argue that reclaiming and acknowledging local people’s power and collective responsibility in upholding their central role has the potential to transform experiences of/about local people and enable them to achieve what they desire in tourism.

A mixed methodology was used, the majority of which was qualitative, to help draw better comprehensive answers for my research questions. Data collected from 28 interviews, 130 questionnaires, 3 focus groups and participation in local daily activities gave me a better insight into the community, whether they participated or not in CBT, and in managerial affairs. Empirical material is arranged around four key themes. The first highlights the needs to recommit to local characteristics as the roots of tourism development, drivers of attractiveness and competitiveness in the face of globalisation.

The dialogue between tourism and local development can be more effective if decision- makers, actors in tourism, and the hosting community develop policies and attitudes resulting from an understanding of the significance of local characteristics. The second theme determines the barriers that prevent more local people from participation in community-based tourism development. This reveals how communities themselves become a source of challenges to the practical implementation of sustainable tourism. Third, this study provides a deeper understanding of how shifts in power can be achieved and lead to social change.

It is important to re-confirm that the power to act is within local people’s hands. Local people’s role and participation can and must be promoted for successful implementation of sustainable tourism development by acknowledging their power and enabling them to exercise that power. This study also unpacks the significance of collaboration of all the stakeholders as it generates collective power in CBT development. Finally, this thesis reveals the importance to address and promote the concept of inclusive tourism, which is meaningful for collective responsibility in upholding the central role of the local people to achieve sustainable tourism development.

This research responds to the scarcity of existing academic scholarship pertaining to the power of local people within tourism development, and provides an opportunity to advance the innovative and forward thinking of inclusive tourism. I argue that inclusive tourism should be the answer to a changing world. Given the challenges that each stakeholder faces today, this study demonstrates that the concept of looking beyond each stakeholder and the need for collective action and collaboration have never been clearer. Số hóa bởi Trung tâm Học liệu và Công nghệ thông tin – ĐHTN http://lrc.vn ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My PhD has been an extremely rewarding journey, with various challenges, experiences, and emotions along the way.

The journey has brought personal growth, meaningful change, knowledge and passion for research. I have been extremely blessed to meet, be inspired and supported by so many beautiful and generous people throughout this PhD journey. I am grateful to each of those who have, in their own unique way, contributed to this research. My deepest respect and gratitude go to my Chief supervisor Dr Anne- Marie d'Hauteserre for her outstanding supervision during the entire process of writing this thesis.

I have learnt a considerable amount from her and taken inspiration from her dedication, professionalism and energy. She has consistently challenged, sustained and inspired me to do more, to think harder and to write better. Her tremendous support made it possible for me to reach the end of my PhD. I am extremely fortunate to have been her last student.

I owe an enormous debt of gratitude for her commitment and for supporting me until the completion of my PhD study. I would also like to thank Dr Naomi Simmonds for having contributed important advice for the formulation and development of this thesis during the first two years of my PhD. My special thanks go to Professor Bruce Curtis for his willingness to support me during the last stage of my PhD; his expertise helped me to improve my thesis significantly. I also would like to thank Dr Fiona McCormack for stepping up to be my temporary supervisor and offering such helpful comments and advice.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Professor Simon Milne and Professor Carolin Funck, who are my New Zealand and overseas examiners, for their very constructive and helpful comments. Their feedback has enabled me to further improve my thesis. I very much appreciated the valuable sponsorship of the Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training and the University of Waikato for their financial support, which provided me with an opportunity to pursue my PhD in New Zealand. I would like to acknowledge the local people, managers, and other key informants from the Thai Nguyen province, who were the participants in my study.

I am indebted to them for their time and engagement in this research. This study would not have been possible without their contributions. I am grateful for the kindness and warmth they showed me, which strengthened and motivated me during the fieldtrip. I have been very fortunate to be a PhD student in the Geography and Environmental Planning Programme at the University of Waikato.

Many people in the programme, at various times and in different ways, provided invaluable assistance. A big thank you to Associate Professor John Campbell for introducing me to the programme. I would like to thank specially Dr Silvia Serrao-Neumann for reading my full thesis draft and offering me insightful comments. My sincere thanks to Professor Lynda Johnston, Dr Lars Brabyn, Kate Mackness, Dr Pip Wallace and Dr Gail Yvonne Hutcheson for all the warm conversations.

I am grateful to the valuable Số hóa bởi Trung tâm Học liệu và Công nghệ thông tin – ĐHTN http://lrc.vn assistance from subject librarians Heather Morrell and Jillene Bydder. I would also like to acknowledge Paula Maynard and Rachel Gosnell Maddock for offering me administrative support. To my amazing friends, Lien, Ngoc, Sandi, Danh, Dinesha, Anoosh, Rini, Sunita, Vijay and Tegan: you are incredible and have inspired me in so many different ways. I have really enjoyed sharing my PhD journey with you, which made this a much more rewarding and memorable experience.

Thank you for all the coffees, meals, pep talks and loving messages throughout this PhD journey. To my family friends, Hieu Ngoc, Tan Trang, Tinh Nuong, Tuan Ai, Cuong Loan, Nhat Huong, Ruwani Nalaka, Tenzin Ugyen, Dat Truc, Hung Thin, Tan Huong: I cannot express how lucky I am to have met you all here. I have really enjoyed and cherished our wonderful trips together exploring beautiful New Zealand. I am inspired by your energy and enthusiasm for life.

Thank you for your warm and funny meals, generosity, babysitting and all other support that you offered me. My deepest and everlasting appreciation goes to my parents, who always encouraged me to engage in higher education. They have always been there, cared for me and offered me love, encouragement, teaching me strength and determination. My immense thanks to my parents-in-law, who helped me care for my daughter during my fieldwork in Vietnam.

None of this work would have been possible without my husband Minh Nguyen, who loves New Zealand and decided that we would, one day, live in New Zealand. He has supported me through both the highs and lows of this PhD journey. He motivated me to overcome the many challenges and kept me moving forward. We mature together, we share all moments, and encourage each other to become the people that we desire to be in life.

I am delighted and grateful to have had him by my side throughout this journey. I cannot thank him enough for the love and support he offers me and our daughter. To our daughter - Bao Tien Nguyen - you have travelled this journey beside me: you were a tiny 2-year-old girl when mom started this journey, you are now mom’s beloved 6 year-old girl. I know there were times I could not be with you fully, especially over the course of my field trip.

Many days I would only see you at the end of the day after your dinner. Sometimes, I arrived home when you were already asleep. For me, missing these precious moments was extremely tough. You knew your mom was a PhD student and you made so many beautiful art works to reward me for studying hard, and many cards with your loving message: I love you mommy.

You brought me light, love and laughter throughout my PhD years. You are forever an inspiration for me to become a better person every day. There have been people whose names have not been mentioned in this acknowledgement. The support from many others throughout this PhD journey has been enormous and ongoing.

There are countless people I would like to thank. Every single person who has supported me has touched my PhD journey in meaningful ways. To all who have helped during the PhD process, I express my sincere appreciation. Số hóa bởi Trung tâm Học liệu và Công nghệ thông tin – ĐHTN http://lrc.vn TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT.

iv TABLE OF CONTENTS. vi LIST OF FIGURES. xi LIST OF TABLES. xiv LIST OF ACRONYMS.

xv CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION. Background to the Research Problem. 13 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW. Development and Sustainable Tourism Development.

Development and the Call for ‘Alternative Development’. The Emergence of Sustainable Development. The Promotion of ‘Alternative’ Tourism and Responsible Travel. Tourism Development and Sustainable Tourism Development in Vietnam.

Local Communities in Community-based Tourism. Overview of Community-based Tourism. Local Communities - Key Stakeholders of CBT Development - An Approach. Power in Tourism.

A Switch in Observing Power in Tourism. Foucault, Power and Tourism. 63 CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND METHODS. 65 Số hóa bởi Trung tâm Học liệu và Công nghệ thông tin – ĐHTN http://lrc.

Qualitative Methodological Approach. Quantitative Methodological Approach. A Combination – Mixed Methodology Approach. Research Ethics and Ethical Considerations.

The Research Field and Primary Data Collection. Qualitative Data Collection. Quantitative Data Collection Process. Secondary Data Collection.

Reflexivity, Positionality and Emotions. Qualitative Data Analysis. Quantitative Data Analysis. 107 CHAPTER 4: DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA.

Geographic, Political, Historic, Cultural and Economic Characteristics of the Study Area. Political and Administrative Characteristics. Tea – an Integral Part of Vietnamese Culture. Economic Conditions in the Study Area.

Favourable Conditions for Linking Tea to Tourism. Development Direction for Tea. Building New Rural Areas – Another Condition for CBT Establishment. The CBT Model.

How CBT was established. 140 Số hóa bởi Trung tâm Học liệu và Công nghệ thông tin – ĐHTN http://lrc.vn CHAPTER 5: LOCAL CHARACTERISTICS: THE ROOTS OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT. The Importance of Local Landscapes, Local Culture and Local People in Tourism. CBT in Tan Cuong - What Did Tourists Look For?.

Local Assets in Tourism Development. Protecting and Supporting Local Characteristics. Willingness to Support and/or Participate. Perceptions of Local people of CBT Impacts.

Willingness to Support and/or Participate. Barriers to Participation of Local Communities. 182 CHAPTER 6: POWER, CHALLENGES AND DEVELOPMENT. The Power of Government .