International Scientific Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development

On December 12th, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Branch Campus of the Vietnam Women's Academy, in collaboration with the Southern Region Institute of Social Sciences, the Institute for Economic and Tourism Development Research, and the Ho Chi Minh City University of Culture, organized an International Scientific Conference on the theme "Sustainable Tourism Development: Identity, Resources - International Experiences and Interpretations for Vietnam".

The workshop brought together over 100 scientists and reputable experts from numerous universities and research institutes both domestically and internationally; delegates representing the Vietnam Women's Union; representatives from the Women's Unions of several provinces/cities; representatives from the Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism of several provinces/cities; domestic and international travel businesses; and non-governmental organizations.

International Scientific Conference with the theme “Sustainable Tourism Development: Identity, Resources - International Experiences and Interpretations for Vietnam”.

In the context of globalization, sustainable tourism development has become a strategic goal for many countries, including Vietnam. The rational exploitation of distinctive cultural values, combined with the efficient use of resources, is key to creating a unique tourism identity and achieving sustainable development. This not only helps preserve traditional culture and the natural environment but also improves the quality of life for communities and promotes the country's economic growth.

At the workshop, delegates shared many experiences on sustainable tourism development, aiming for a balance between economic growth, environmental protection, and the preservation of unique cultural identity.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Vu Tuan Hung, Deputy Director in charge of the Southern Region Institute of Social Sciences, "To develop tourism sustainably linked to cultural identity, it is necessary to connect with the local community. When culture is linked to livelihoods and daily activities, it will have vitality and be preserved naturally. Tourism development must be based on a cultural foundation harmoniously combined with nature, livelihoods, beliefs, and religion, while creating a vibrant cultural space. If only new tourist areas with traditional elements are built or cultural facilities are relocated without the presence of the local community – the 'owners' of the culture – then that cultural tourism area is unlikely to exist sustainably."

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thao, Head of the Tourism Resource Planning and Development Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, stated: From the perspective of the tourism industry, the most attractive tourism products are those that help tourists learn more about different cultures through practical application and experience within those cultural spaces. If tourists only observe and look without interaction or real-life experience, it will be difficult to create an attraction for them. To develop sustainable tourism, it is necessary to transform cultural values ​​into concrete, streamlined products that highlight their core values.

"Tourism needs to 'live' within the customs and lifestyles of the local community. This allows tourists to experience unique cultural aspects in the daily lives of the local people. When tourists witness and participate in traditional cultural activities, they will feel the authenticity and have deeper experiences. The local people themselves also participate in the process of preserving those cultural values," Ms. Thao said.

Associate Professor John Hutnyk from Ton Duc Thang University delivered a speech at the conference.

Speaking at the workshop, Associate Professor John Hutnyk from Ton Duc Thang University pointed out that sustainable tourism needs to ensure a balance between environmental, economic, and socio-cultural factors. Therefore, when discussing heritage tourism, assessing sustainability becomes a mandatory element. Preserving heritage, from ancient architectural structures to intangible cultural values, requires significant investment and the participation of many stakeholders in society. Factors such as labor, infrastructure, and planning not only affect the sustainable development of the tourism industry but also profoundly impact the lives of local communities. Two case studies from India (Serampore) and Vietnam (Con Dao) show that heritage can be transformed into tourism with varying results.

Dr. Lawson Veronica Janet Lesley, Australia-Vietnam Volunteer Program, spoke at the workshop.

Dr. Lawson Veronica Janet Lesley, from the Australia-Vietnam Volunteer Program, emphasized the need for coordinated efforts between the government, the community, and the tourism industry to maintain a balance between tourism development and environmental protection. Only with a comprehensive strategy and effective cooperation can sustainable tourism thrive, contributing to environmental protection and boosting the national economy.

At the workshop, participants also shared and discussed research on several topics, including: sustainable tourism development linked to green growth and zero-emission goals; the contributions of ecotourism to development; barriers to career advancement for women in the tourism industry in Vietnam; circular economy models and tourism carrying capacity management towards sustainable development goals…

BTC presented flowers and thank-you letters to the speakers.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, Director of the Vietnam Women's Academy Branch and Head of the Conference Organizing Committee, stated: The conference received 142 papers from scientists. After independent peer review, 82 papers from scientists and practitioners were selected for publication in the Conference Proceedings. The selected papers closely adhere to the conference theme, possess high scientific content, and have theoretical and practical significance…

"Besides the papers presented, at this conference we also had the opportunity to listen to, share, and discuss valuable research and experiences from countries around the world. I believe that the diverse perspectives and practical lessons shared today will bring about groundbreaking, highly applicable solutions, contributing to improving the capacity for planning, managing, and developing sustainable tourism in Vietnam," Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong expressed.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/chuyen-gia-quoc-te-chia-se-kinh-nghiem-de-phat-trien-du-lich-ben-vung-202412121702598.htm