Youthful creativity in tourism development

In the development of Vietnamese tourism in recent times, the mark of young people is increasingly affirmed in positive energy, dynamism with new and effective ideas and methods.

Foreign tourists visiting Hoi An ancient town. (Photo by Nguyen Dang)

Born and raised in Hanoi, To Thai Hung is no stranger to the young travel community. As a travel blogger, each of Hung's trips is a journey of sharing and gathering experiences told through vivid stories, images, and videos . In 2019, Hung launched his travel blog "Where To Go". Hung is also one of the founding members of the "Check in Vietnam" fanpage, which has over 1.7 million followers.

What sets him apart and makes him unique is how he transforms experiences into tourism products. Projects initiated by Hung, such as Ice Cream Checkin, the Travel Passport, and the Vietnam Stamp, are not just innovative ideas but also concrete efforts to realize cultural values ​​and enhance the tourism experience for the community.

Destinations in Ha Giang province (formerly known as Tuyen Quang) were the starting point for those projects. Over a period of about three months, Hung and his colleagues created iconic products that were closely linked to local culture.

Currently, with over 181,000 followers on his personal TikTok channel, Hung continues to persistently spread positive messages about Vietnamese culture and tourism with the belief that: "Tourism requires meticulous and accurate investment in both content and images, because we are conveying the culture and identity of our nation. That is something to be proud of and needs to be shown with the utmost respect and responsibility."

In the context of information technology and strong digital transformation, along with individuals, many clubs for young people who love travel and have career aspirations related to tourism have been established. These clubs are closely connected with businesses and travel agencies, opening up practical learning spaces that help young people hone their skills, develop creative thinking, flexible problem-solving abilities, and a sense of responsibility towards the community.

Similarly to To Thai Hung, Do Ngoc Phuc, from Tuong Mai ward (Hanoi), chose to become a tour guide, driven by a passion he developed during his school years. In his work, Phuc is not only a guide but also a storyteller, sharing his experiences with genuine sincerity with tourists. He strives to capture the most beautiful images of Vietnam's nature, culture, and people across the country and uploads them to social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

According to Phuc, sustainable tourism development must go hand in hand with the responsibility of protecting the environment and respecting local culture. Young people are not only beneficiaries of tourism development, but also need to be a pioneering force, contributing to creating a modern and distinctive Vietnamese tourism image, a solid bridge to spread the country's culture and tourism to friends around the world.

In the context of information technology and strong digital transformation, along with individuals, many clubs for young people who love travel and have career aspirations related to tourism have been established. These clubs are closely connected with businesses and travel agencies, opening up practical learning spaces that help young people hone their skills, develop creative thinking, flexible problem-solving abilities, and a sense of responsibility towards the community.

The Young Tourism Club of the Faculty of Tourism, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi was established in 2012, is a common home for young people who love to explore and aspire to pursue the path of becoming a tour guide.

In addition to sharing knowledge, skills and practical experiences through trips, club members also have the opportunity to learn from previous generations and experts in the field of tourism. Not only does it nurture passion, it is also a place to help young people's dreams take flight.

Commenting on the role of young people in business and promoting Vietnamese tourism in the digital age, Mr. Hoang Quoc Hoa, Director of the Tourism Information Center, Vietnam National Tourism Administration, remarked: “Through vivid articles, images, and videos on social media, young people have shared their authentic experiences with the public. Recognizing this positive aspect, the Tourism Information Center has been implementing projects such as “Vietnam: Travel to Love!”, “Galaxy AI Understands Vietnamese - Honoring Vietnamese Tourism”, and “Travel to Chill - Feel to Love,” which have received enthusiastic support from young people. This shows that young people are both “media ambassadors” promoting tourism and inspire and drive the wave of travel to Vietnam.”

Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Hong Long, Chairman of the Scientific and Training Council, Head of the Department of Culture and Tourism Geography, Faculty of Tourism Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, commented: “Today's young generation possesses a positive energy and a strong drive for breakthroughs. They are not only trendsetters but also boldly create new trends in tourism, such as discovering unique and innovative destinations and tourism products. With their access to technology, many young people have become content creators with influence, conveying messages about tourism on social media platforms, thereby starting businesses based on their passion and understanding of their homeland's culture. This is the journey of a generation that dares to think, dares to act, telling the story of Vietnam in the language of the times and with the passionate hearts of youth.”

However, young people still face many obstacles on their journey to starting and developing tourism businesses, such as: lack of experience, limited practical skills and knowledge, financial difficulties, and uncertainty in grasping trends and assessing the market. These factors reduce opportunities in an increasingly fierce competitive environment.

According to Mr. Long, for the young generation to truly break through and assert themselves, practical support from authorities with specific, easily accessible and effective support policies is needed.

Furthermore, travel agencies play a crucial role in organizing training programs, connecting with professionals, and creating an environment where young people can gain experience, hone their skills, and grow. Effectively utilizing young human resources is an investment in the future of Vietnam's dynamic and sustainable tourism industry.

THUY NGA

Source: https://nhandan.vn/suc-tre-kien-tao-trong-phat-trien-du-lich-post898882.html