TOURISM ECONOMY IN THE NORTH CENTRAL REGION IN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION

HO CHI MINH NATIONAL ACADEMY OF
POLITICS AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

NGUYEN THI HONG LAM
TOURISM ECONOMY IN THE NORTH
CENTRAL REGION IN INTERNATIONAL
ECONOMIC INTEGRATION
PHD THESIS IN ECONOMICS
HA NOI - 2013
HO CHI MINH NATIONAL ACADEMY OF
POLITICS AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

NGUYEN THI HONG LAM
TOURISM ECONOMY IN THE NORTH
CENTRAL REGION IN INTERNATIONAL
ECONOMIC INTEGRATION
Specialism : Political economics
Code : 62 31 01 01
PHD THESIS IN ECONOMICS
Academic Supervisors: ASSOC. PROF. Dr. AN NHU HAI
HA NOI – 2013
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that this is entirely my own
work. All the thesis data are truthful. And the thesis
conclusions have never been published in any other
research.
Thesis author
Nguyen Thi Hong Lam
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
INTRODUCTION

1
Chapter 1: OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH ON TOURISM
ECONOMY
6
1.1. Foreign studies on tourism economy
6
1.2. Domestic studies on tourism economy
11
1.3. Overview of research results of published studies and issues raised
for further study on tourism economy
26
Chapter 2: THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL GROUNDS OF
TOURISM ECONOMY IN INTERNATIONAL
ECONOMIC INTEGRATION
32
2.1. Tourism economy and components of tourism economy
32
2.2. Relationship between tourism economy and socio-economic
development and factors affecting tourism economy in
international economic integration
50
2.3. Experience from foreign tourism economy development that can
be applied in Vietnam in general and the North Central region in
particular
65
Chapter 3: REAL SITUATION OF THE TOURISM ECONOMY
IN THE NORTH CENTRAL REGION IN
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION
77
3.1. Impacts of natural and socio-economic conditions in the North

Central provinces on the development of their tourism economy
77
3.2. Real situation of the tourism economy in the North Central
provinces from 2000 to the present
86
3.3. Assessment of the situation of tourism economy of the North
Central provinces in international economic integration from 2000
to present
100
Chapter 4: DIRECTIONS AND SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE
DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM ECONOMY IN
THE NORTH CENTRAL PROVINCES IN
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION
121
4.1. Context and directions to develop tourism economy in the North
Central provinces to 2020 with a vision to 2030
121
4.2. Fundamental solutions to accelerate the development of tourism
economy in the North Central provinces in international economic
integration
136
CONCLUSION
167
STUDIES RELATED TO THE RESEARCH
170
REFERENCES
171
APPENDIX
ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE THESIS
ASEAN The Association of Southeast Asian Nations

CNH, HĐH Industrialisation, Modernisation
CSVC - HT Material facilities - infrastructure
DLST Ecotourism
DNDL Tourism enterprises
EWEC EAST - WEST Economic Corridor
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GMS Greater Mekong Subregion
HNKTQT International economic integration
KH - CN Science - technology
KT - XH Socio-economic
KTDL Tourism economy
KTTT Market economy
MICE Meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions
Nxb Publishing house
NC & PT Research and development
QP - AN National Defence - Security
UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization
WTO World Trade Organization
XHCN Socialist
LIST OF TABLES
Page
Table 3.1:The number of accommodation establishments in the
North Central provinces (2000 - 2011)
92
Table 3.2: The quality of accommodation establishments in the North
Central provinces (2009 – 2011)
93
Table 3.3: The development of tourism products in the North Central
provinces from 2000 to the present

96
Table 3.4: Income the North Central provinces earned from tourists
(2000 – 2011)
100
Table 3.5: Labour percentage in the tourism economy of the North
Central provinces as compared to the whole nation (2000
- 2011)
105
Table 3.6: The quality of tourism human resource in the North
Central province is classified in terms of qualification
(2005 - 2010)
116
Table 4.1: Vietnam’s WTO commitments in tourism services and
related services
123
Table 4.2: Forecasted tourism economy development targets in the
North Central provinces
129
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
Figure 3.1: International arrivals to the North Central provinces
(2000 - 2011)
87
Figure 3.2: Statistics of major home countries of international
arrivals to the North Central provinces (2005 - 2011)
88
Figure 3.3: The number of international arrivals to the North Central
provinces in comparison with other regions (2000 - 2011)
89
Figure 3.4: The number of domestic tourists to the North Central

provinces (2000 - 2011)
90
Figure 3.5: The number of domestic tourists to the North Central
provinces in comparison with other regions (2000 - 2011)
91
Figure 3.6: Total earnings from tourism in the North Central
provinces in comparison with those in other regions
(2000 - 2011)
101
Figure 3.7: Structure of total earnings from tourism in the North
Central provinces (2009 - 2011)
102
Figure 3.8: Structure of total earnings from tourism in the North
Central provinces is classified in accordance with
economic components (2005 - 2011)
104
Figure 3.9: The job scale in tourism economy in the North Central
provinces (2000 – 2011)
105
Figure 3.10: Structure of tourism economy in the North Central
region’s GDP (2006 - 2011)
107
1
INTRODUCTION
1. The necessity of the research
Tourism is a synthetic industry which is highly intersectoral,
interregional and socialised. Performance of this industry not only meets the
rising demand for travel of human beings but also plays an essential role in
the ”on-the-spot export” of goods and services abroad. Many countries have
considered tourism economy as a ”non-smoke industry”, bringing about huge

benefits. Tourism economy not only makes contribution to the country’s
economic growth but also facilitates the development of other industries,
generates job opportunities and income for local people, and becomes a useful
means to promote the country’s images, etc.
In Vietnam, the tourism industry came into being in 1960, however,
until 1990s it was regarded as an economy soon after the country opened door
policy. Since then, the tourism economy has grown rapidly and attained
certain encouraging achievements. According to the Vietnam National
Administration of Tourism, in 2012 Vietnam received more than 6.8 million
international arrivals, an increase of nearly 14 percent as compared to 2011;
and 32.5 million domestic tourists, an increase of more than 8.3 percent over
2011. Accordingly, the total earnings from tourists reached VND160,000
billion in 2012, an increase of 23 percent over the previous year. In addition,
tourism has also paid an important role in promoting images of Vietnam and
its people to the outside world, cultural exchanges, and understandings among
local ethnic groups and many nations world-wide.
The North Central region is an economic zone consisting of Thanh
Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue
provinces, with a natural area of 84,163.3sq.km and a population of over 16.5
million. The North Central region is a territory abounding in many valuable
potentials in regard to tourism, namely beaches, caves, tombs, and typical
natural wonders typically Sam Son, Cua Lo and Thien Cam beaches and
2
Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park; cultural identities with numerous
cultural historical relics, particularly world heritage sites such as the Ho
Dynasty Citadel, the Complex of Hue Monuments with court music and many
precious vestiges, President Ho Chi Minh vestige in Kim Lien Village, Vinh
Moc tunnels, and Quang Tri Citadel, etc. On the other hand, favourable traffic
conditions regarding road, rail and waterway transport facilitates the region’s
tourism economy to bring into full play its advantages and attract tourists.

Over the past years, tourism economy in the North Central provinces
has made a remarkable growth which greatly contributes to the
industrialisation and modernisation cause of not only the region but also the
country as a whole, which is demonstrated through its contribution to the
region’s gross economic product. Tourism activities have helped generate
many employments and increase income for the community, contributing to
region’s social welfare, security and national defence. Nevertheless, the
current development of the tourism economy remains limited in regard to
demands for international economic integration and the region’s potential.
Tourism has not either become a key industry as defined in local Party
committees’s resolutions, made a breakthrough development, or exploited the
region’s full tourism potential and advantages. Quality of tourism products is
still low, and the products themselves are not diverse and characterised with
typical cultural features. Also there is a shortage of tourism products of high
added value. Charge of certain tourism services remains high, less
competitive internationally. Many tourism areas and destinations are
spontaneously-established and short of a proper investment. Tourism
programmemes remain poorly-designed and identical, failing to meet demand
of each particular group of tourists as well as market. Tourism services are not
diverse and the service quality is still poor and unattractive. Not many strong
and presitigious tourism brands are established in the market. The
preservation, repair and upgrading of cultural and revolutionary historical
3
relics; and maintenance of the surroundings have not received proper
investment and comprehensive co-operation among relevant authorities and
sectors. Tourism promotion operations internally and externally remain
limited and unprofessional, and fail to provide sufficient and timely
information for tourist and investors.
The matter here is how to tap into full potential and advantages of the
tourism economy in the whole region to satisfy the demands for international

economic integration to bring about high socio-economic effects? Under such
circumstances, that the PhD candidate chooses the topic: “Tourism
economics in the North Central provinces in international economic
integration” to develop into a PhD thesis in the political economics major at
the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration is
of not only theoretical but also practical significance to the development of
tourism economy in the North Central provinces in the coming time.
2. Purpose and task of the research
- Purpose: To accelerate the development of tourism economy in the
North Central provinces in the context of Vietnam’s deeper and greater
integration in international economic relations from the point of political
economics.
- Task:
To fulfill the purpose mentioned above, the thesis will:
+ Systemise theoretical and practical bases of tourism economy in
international economic integration of a certain territory in Vietnam from the
point of political economics.
+ Evaluate the reality of tourism economy in international economic
integration in the North Central provinces, and find out results achieved and
4
shortcomings as well as reasons of these shortcomings in the development of
tourism economy in these provinces.
+ Propose directions and solutions to promote the development of
tourism economy in the North Central provinces in international economic
integration to 2020.
3. Subject and scope of the research
-Subject of the research:
All business activities related to tourism economy consists of travel,
accommodation, tourist transportation, tourism site and destination
development, and other tourism services in the North Central provinces in

international economic integration.
- Scope of the research:
+ Space: The thesis studies tourism economy in the North Central
provinces from economic approaches defined in Vietnam’s strategy on
tourism development for the 2011-2020 period, vision to 2030. This tourism
develoment region consists of six provinces: Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh,
Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien - Hue. The thesis does not study each
province individually but considers each province’s tourism economy as a
component of tourism economy of the whole North Central region.
+ Time scope: The section involving analyses and assessment of the
situation of tourism economy is counted from the year 2000 to the present;
whilst that of directions and solutions is counted by 2020 with a vision to 2030.
4. Theoretical foundations and research methods of the thesis
- Theoretical foundations:
The Marxism - Leninism, Ho Chi Minh ideology, and standpoints,
paths, renewal policies of the Party and State of Vietnam in regards to tourism
economy development.
- Research methods:
5
+ Research methods applied are those of political economics which
include abstractisation, analysis and synthesis, and logic plus historical
background, etc
+ In addition, the thesis also applies research methods of modern
economics, namely statistical method, quantitative analysis, and comparative
method; and selectively acquires some results of published scientific studies.
5. Scientific contributions and values of the thesis
- Systemising theories of tourism economy in international economic
integration in a certain tourism area in Vietnam from the perspective of
political economics. Typically, the thesis has generalised components of
tourism economy, analysed and clarified the relationship between tourism

economy with socio-economic development and factors affecting tourism
economy in international economic integration.
- Selecting lessons drawn from foreign countries’ experience in
developing tourism economy to refer to the case of Vietnam in general and
the case of the North Central region in particular.
- Assessing the situation of tourism economy, the thesis analyses
achievements and shortcomings of tourism economy in the North Central
provinces in international economic integration. Hence, the thesis analyses
objective and subjective causes to such achievements and shortcomings.
- Proposing directions and solutions to accelerate the development of
tourism economy in the North Central provinces in international economic
integration in the coming time.
6. Conclusion
Besides the introduction, conclusion, list of reference, and appendix the
thesis comprises four chapters and eleven sections.
6
Chapter 1
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH ON TOURISM ECONOMY
In many countries, tourism has become a key economic industry which
remarkably contributes to domestic income and job generation. Tourism
economy is increasingly playing an important role and position in the national
economy.
Well aware of the importance of the tourism economy, quite a few
researchers and organisations have carried out in-depth studies on this
economic industry and made certain contributions to the industry’s
development.
Following is an overview of major studies on tourism and tourism
economy locally and internationally which have been published so far,
particularly in the past 15 years. Foreign studies on tourism economy
1.1. FOREIGN STUDIES ON TOURISM ECONOMY

Studies on tourism economy have mostly focused on explaining
business operations, tourism services, components of tourism and tourism
service forms, supply – demand relationship, and the operational mechanism
of tourism business practice, typically:
- The book “Tourism in Developing Countries” by authors Martin
Oppermann and Kye - Sung Chon, was published by International Thomson
Business Press in 1997. The book focuses on analysing issues such as tourism
development in developed and developing countries, in which the authors
stated that the study on tourism in developing countries was carried out in
different periods of time: 1930-1960, 1970-1985 and 1985-1993. At the same
time, the work also reflects the link between government and tourism,
analytical models for tourism development, methods for the measurement of
7
international tourism development, and the development of tourism
destinations such as resorts by the hill side, by the beach or in the suburbs.
- The research“Global Tourism - The next decade” by William
Theobald was published by Butterworth - Heinemann Ltd. in 1994. The work
speaks of notions of tourism and tourism classification; positive and negative
impacts of tourism; orientation and plan for tourism development; and the
role of tourism to the world peace. Through his work, the author clarifies that
tourism is one of the forces actuating peace, friendship and mutual
understanding. When people travel all over the world, come to understand one
another as well as their customs, and appreciate individuals from every
country, countries will build up their own international understandings, which
will remarkably improve the world peace.
- The research “Leisure and Tourism” by John Ward, Phil Higson and
William Campbell, was printed by Stanley Thornes Ltd. in 1994. The work
studies the tourism and entertainment industry through the analyses of models
and trends, and products and services in this industry as well as its impacts on
the economy, society or environment. In addition, the research also mentions

marketing, the provision of management information services, planning and
evaluating events as well as infrastructure resources for tourism and
entertainment projects.
- The research “The Business of Rural Tourism International
Perspectives” by Stephen J. Page and Don Getz was published by
International Thomson Business Press in 1997. The research focuses on major
issues such as policy, plan, and research impacts tourism trading performance
in rural area, in which authors analyse the financial issue as well as tourism
promotion in rural area and indicate some models in the United States,
Canada, China, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand, etc. and some impacts
on the development of this tourism type in this area.
8
- The work “Commercial Recreation & Tourism - An Introduction to
Business Oriented Recreation” by Susan A.Weston was published by Brown
& Benchmark in 1996. The study reveals concepts and analyses the origin of
the entertainment and tourism industry, in which the author presents varied
names describing the industry; explains the difference between products and
services; introduces locations that can host recreation and tourism activities;
and promotes job opportunities for the to-be-graduates in the industry.
On the other hand, the author also focuses on the management, and
event organisation, and accommodation; food and food, and occupation
management. The author also analyses industries of similarity.
- The research “Managing Tourism” was written by professor S.
Medlik in 1991, and reprinted in 1995 by Butterworth - Heinemann Ltd. The
research focuses on the following areas: “Future – Analyses – Plan”, in which
the author analyses and responds to questions about the contribution
capability of future researches on tourism policy, and about a possibility to
control the life cycle of tourism? The author claims that in tourism policies
must base on a close association of economics, politics, society and spatial
objects. These objects must be placed on a decisive framework whose major

function is to achieve set targets with specific significances within a particular
period of time. Tourism policy making is not a sophisticated task to the
government, but the development through co-operation with tourism
organizations and the tourism industry itself. Besides, the research also speaks
about concepts of products, competition in the aviation sector, the promotion
of products and destinations, tourism management, limitation as well as
challenges to the tourism industry.
- The work “The Economics of Leisure and Tourism” by John Tribe,
was published by Butterworth - Heinemann Ltd in 1995. The research centres
on the organisation and promotion of recreation and tourism practices;
Entertainment and Tourism in the interrelation with international
9
environment; impacts of recreation and tourism on the national economy;
recreation and tourism with environmental issues; and investment in
recreation and tourism. In the section: Investment in Leisure, the author
indicates factors affecting the investment such as profits, turnover, and
operation expenditure, etc.
The above-mentioned researches on tourism, outdoor recreational
tourism, tourism marketing, tourism legislation, tourism in developing
countries, and factors affecting tourism development have somewhat taken
into consideration tourism economy and tourism economy management.
In addition, there are a number of researches on tourism and tourism
economy in English and some other foreign languages being translated into
Vietnamese, namely:
- The work “Tourism economy” by Robert Lanquar was published by
The Gioi Publishing House in 1993. In his work, the author asserts that
tourism economy is an industry because its activities aim to exploit tourism
assets, and to turn human resources, capital and materials into services and
products. The author also discusses tourism and its impacts on the whole
economy, tourism demands, tourism consumption, production and investment

for tourism, analytical tools and means of tourism economics and tourism
business.
- The research “Tourism marketing” by Robert Lanquar and Robert
Hollier, was printed by the The Gioi Publishing House in 1992. The research
discusses historical landmarks of tourism marketing; definitions and concepts
of tourism marketing; and analyses of tourism demand and supply, and other
demands for tourism market. Regarding history of the tourism marketing, the
author states that market came into being from the development of the
industrial civilisation.
The author also recommends nations to develop a marketing strategy
with goals as followed: i, developing an efficient tourism transport network;
10
ii, improving public facilities and equipment at tourism sites; iii, enhancing
assistance to some on-the-spot services in case of bad weather; iv, applying a
seasonal flexible pricing policy; and v, supply must target each typical group
of tourists v.v…
- The research “Tourism economy and tourismology” by two Chinese
authors Dong Yu Ming, Wang Lei Ting by Shanghai Transport University’s
Publishing House in 2000, was translated and published in Vietnamese by Tre
Publishing House in 2001. The research refers to theoretical issues of tourism
and tourism economy such as concepts of tourism, tourism economy, tourism
products and markets, the role of tourism economy, and planning for the
construction of tourism areas, etc.
Besides, the tourism development in China is also talked about, which
reveals many similarities with the development of tourism in Vietnam.
Initially, Vietnam’s tourism was mainly designed to receive the State and
Party’s international guests, then due to the society’s development
requirements tourism developed into an industry which enjoys many
favourable conditions to prosper and to be a non-smoke industry producing
not a small amount of benefits to the society.

Tourism economy and tourismology is a systematic scientific research
on tourism operation based on the reality of China, which Vietnam can learn
from to develop its own tourism in the socialist orientation.
Apart from published researches mentioned above, the thesis also refers
to writings on tourism business and services published by UNWTO and
printed in foreign magazines and websites.
In general, these researches concentrates on theoretical and practical
knowledge in regards to economics and techniques in tourism operation,
tourism business, tourism market, and lessons drawn from tourism
development experience in some countries. These are a resource of secondary
data essential for this thesis. The theoretical information related to tourism
11
economy is based on the reality of the economies which have typical features
and socio-political trends different from Vietnam, thus, the above-mentioned
works are just materials of reference for activities such as doing business,
approaching clients, and developing tourism services and market in Vietnam.
The subject chosen to study does not bear the same name as well as content
with any other research published abroad so far.
1.2. DOMESTIC RESEARCHES ON TOURISM ECONOMY
1.2.1. Scientific researches and PhD theses
There have been a great number of researches on tourism and tourism
economy in Vietnam so far. Regarding these areas, it should be noted the
scientific researches and PhD theses as followed:
- Ministerial-leveled work (2006): “Research proposes investment
solutions to develop tourism areas”, is done by a group of authors, led by MA
Le Van Minh, from the Institute for Tourism Development Research. The
research focuses on a system of concepts of tourism areas, the role of
investment in developing tourism areas, and practical experience learnt from
other countries’ investment into developing tourism areas. The research also
analyses the system of the Party and State mechanism and policies in tourism

investment in particular and tourism development in general; assesses the
state of policies regarding investment into developing tourism areas in
Vietnam; and recommends 10 solutions to better investment policies: (i)
solution to the organization and management in tourism areas; (ii) solution to
construction, management and planning in tourism areas; (iii) solution to
rights to land use in tourism areas; (iv) solution for investment into
developing tourism areas; (v) solution for mobilizing capital resources to
develop tourism areas; (vi) solution to financial and tax mechanism and
policies in regards to investment into developing tourism areas; (vii) solution
to intersectional and interregional co-ordination and co-operation in
exploiting resources in tourism areas; (viii) solution for reformed
12
administrative procedures; (ix) solution for supporting and encouraging the
community participation into developing tourism areas; and (x) solution for
investment, preservation, and reservation of tourism resources and
environmental protection.
- Ministerial-level research (2007): “Research develops Vietnam’s
tourism products of high competitiveness in the region and in the world”, is
carried out by a group of authors, led by Dr. Do Cam Tho, from the Institute
for Tourism Development Research. From the perspectives of State
management and macroeconomics, the authors turn their attention to
systemizing theoretical issues on tourism product competition. The authors
analyse and assess the system of tourism products in Vietnam from two
criteria: general products offered at a particular tourism destination and
products based on different types of tourism.
The research also concentrates on the competitiveness and position of
Vietnam tourism products in the regional and international tourism markets.
The research analyses and assesses the system of tourism products from
regional competitors including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, China and
Indonesia. The investigation approaches from consumption perspective and

finds out the present position of Vietnam’s tourism products.
The research analyses typical features and strengths of Vietnam’s
tourism products through a systematic assessment of the products. The
research compares and evaluates Vietnam’s tourism products through
products of high competitiveness, sea and islands tourism products, cultural
tourism products, and ecotourism products.
The research proposes concepts of tourism products and 10 criteria to
assess the competitiveness of tourism products: (i) attractiveness and
uniqueness of tourism resources; (ii) diversity of tourism services; (iii) quality
of tourism products; (iv) build-up of tourism products; (v) investment to
promote tourism products; (vi) price of tourism products; (vii) approachability
13
of tourism products; (viii) brand name of tourism products; (ix) life cycle of
tourism products; and (x) special elements of tourism products. The work also
recommends a system of solutions to increase the competitiveness of
Vietnam’s tourism products in the market in the short term, and to build up
products of high competitiveness in the long term (by 2015).
- Ministerial-level research (2008):“Scientific ground to develop
coastal tourism in the North Central region” is ”, is carried out by a group of
authors led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Trung Luong of the National Institute
for Tourism Development Research. The work concentrates on assessing the
position and role of coastal tourism in the strategy to develop economy,
society, security, and national defense in the coastal area in the North Central
region; and in EWEC tourism development.
The work analyses features of tourism resources and human resources
related to coastal tourism development in the North Central region. The work
evaluates the tourism development in islands by the coast of the North Central
region; and defines advantages and difficulties, opportunities and challenges
to tourism development in islands by the coast of the North Central region.
The research proposes solutions to ensure sustainable development of coastal

tourism, which consist of: (i) solutions to raise awareness and understanding
of islands tourism; (ii) solutions for policy; (iii) solutions for planning; (iv)
solutions for investment; (v) solutions to develop coastal tourism products and
market; (vi) solutions to promote popularisation of coastal tourism; (vii)
solutions to develop human resources; (viii) solutions to protect sea and island
tourism resources and environment; and (ix) solutions to develop sea tourism
whilst maintain national defense and security.
- Ministerial-level research (2011) “The status quo of and solutions to
develop national sea tourism regions in the North Central region”, is carried
out by a group of authors led by Dr. Nguyen Thu Hanh, of the Institute for
Tourism Development Research. The authors concentrates on clarifying
14
theoretical grounds of maritime tourism and national maritime tourism area
development. The study points out new concepts of tourism products of the
national maritime tourism area, affirming that that is a combination of single
feelings which leave tourists with special impression on a sea tourism area.
Based on experience of other nations in developing sea tourism areas,
the study finds the ten lessons as followed: (i) tourism area development and
management should accord with the national sustainable tourism development
strategy; (ii) market, clients, and demands of tourism areas must be clearly
defined; (iii) proper location should be taken into account to attract tourists;
(iv) tourism areas should be accessible by land, sea, rail and air routes and
connect with big tourism markets; (v) tourism areas which offer
accommodation services must apply high technology and scientific
achievements in the organisation and management of hotels in the tourism
areas; (vi) tourism areas all possess a life cycle of attractions, so to prolong
such life cycle they should synchronously implement different solutions,
should develop a proper exploitation plan, non-stop apply science and
technology, non-stop perfect it, renew tourism products, and understand the
market demands and tastes, etc; (vii) nonseasonal tourism areas should be

established and developed to make full use of tourism resources all around the
year: (viii) research on separate market for tourism areas should be carried
out; (ix) there should be a close connection between tourism areas with
tourism destinations, sightseeing spots, and public recreation zones; and (x)
the establishment and development of tourism areas is always two-faced, thus,
it is necessary to deal with negative factors affecting social environment.
From these experience lessons, the authors focus on analysing and
evaluating the reality, indicating causes to the shortcomings and limitations in
the development of national coastal tourism areas in the North Central region
by 2020.
15
- The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism’s research: “Policy
and solutions to promote tourism development in the central and Central
Highlands region” (2001);
The research points out general features of the central and Central
Highlands region; the role and position of tourism in the central and Central
Highlands region; foundations to propose policies and solutions such as the
potential and advantages to develop tourism in the central and Central
Highlands; the status quo of tourism development in the central and Central
Highlands region; and opportunities and challenges of tourism in the central
and Central Highlands region.
From that point, the research suggests solutions to speed up tourism
development in the central and Central Highlands region: i, facilitating tourists
to access tourism spots in the central and Central Highlands region; ii, in
regards to investment in tourism, all resources should be mobilised to develop
tourism in the central and Central Highlands region; iii, in regard to finance,
capital resources for tourism development can be generated from bond
issuance, foreign investment, land use and rent-related funds, “land for
infrastructure swap model”, and increased regulated proportion of local sources
of income; iv, in regards to tourism promotion and product diversification,

enhanced promotion of tourism internally and externally and diversified
tourism products are the two major tasks in the tourism development strategy in
the central and Central Highlands region; vi, enterprise restructuring and
renewal; vii, strengthening operation of tourism associations and establishing a
tourism association of enterprises and management authorities in the central
and Central Highlands to increasingly build up and promote tourism brand
names such as “Heritage Path”, “Green City”, etc.
- The report: “Master plan on tourism development in the North
Central region to 2020, with a vision to 2030” (2012) by the Ministry of
Culture, Sports and Tourism.
16
The report focuses on some major issues as follows:
Firstly, evaluates resources and the status quo of tourism development
in the North Central region; indicates opportunities and challenges to tourism
development in the region.
Secondly, maps out a scheme for tourism development in the North
Central region to 2020, with a vision to 2030. From the points of view,
targets, and forecasts of tourism development norms, the report suggests
orientations for development in: tourism products, tourist markets, image
development, brand name development and promotion, space for tourism
development, investment in tourism, and protection of environment in the
tourism area.
Thirdly, solutions and the implementation of the scheme. Solutions
consists of: solutions to investment and capital mobilisation, and to human
resource development; promotion; organisation; management; scientific and
technological application; interregional connection and international co-
operation; protection of resources and environment in tourism area; and
response to climate change.
- Thesis by Doctor of economics Truong Si Quy of the Vietnam
Economics University, Ha Noi (2002), “Direction and solutions to diversify

tourism categories and tourism products in Quang Nam – Da Nang”. The thesis
concentrates on systemising and developing some basic theoretical issues in
regards to the diversification of types of tourism and tourism products.
From analyses of demands and foundations to define direction and
solutions as well as specific targets set for the tourism development in Quang
Nam - Da Nang in the coming time, the thesis has showcased solutions and
recommendations essential to the diversification of types of tourism, as well
as details of the diversification of tourism services and programmers in Quang
Nam - Da Nang.
17
- Thesis of economics by Nguyen Dinh Son of Vietnam Academy of
Military Politics, Ha Noi (2002), “Developing tourism economy in the North
Central region and its impacts on national defence-security”. The author
generalises common theories of tourism economy in conjunction with
strengthened national defence and security. The author asserts that tourism is
an activity of human beings in which the production and consumption of
tourism products occur simultaneously. He claims that tourists are consumers
of tourism products, tourism businesspeople are supplier of tourism products,
and that only with such concurrent existence is a fully worked-out tour
guaranteed.
The research analyses fundamental features of tourism economy, status
quo of tourism economy in the North Central region in association with defence
and security enhancement. Indicating shortcomings remained and the source of
these shortcomings of tourism economy in the North Central region over the past
time, the author recommends basic directions, objectives and solutions to
develop tourism economy in the North Central region in conjunction with
national defence and security reinforcement in the coming time.
- Thesis of economics by Vu Duc Minh at Vietnam University of
Commerce, Ha Noi (2004), “Some solutions to enhance the efficient usage of
human resource at State-owned enterprises in Ha Noi in the regional and

international integration process”. The author studies basic theoretical issues
of human resource, the efficiency of human resource usage, and demands of
the tourism human resource in the country’s regional and international
integration. The author insists on the existing concepts of the efficient use of
human resource, calculation norms, measurement approaches, and factors
influencing the usage of human resource in tourism businesses. Showing
experience from improved efficiency of human resource usage from nations
and blocs including ASEAN, China, and European Union, as well as
experience Vietnam has adopted, the author has built up a theoretical frame of
18
the efficient use of human resource, creating scientific foundations for a
deeper analysis in the next section.
The research analyses the efficiency of human resource usage by State-
owned enterprises in Ha Noi through norms, measurement approaches and
influential factors. The research also analyses the source to inefficient usage
of human resource in State-owned enterprises in Ha Noi at present and
proposes seven solutions to improve the efficiency of human resource usage
in State-owned enterprises in the capital city.
- Thesis of economics by Nguyen Thi Tu of the Vietnam University of
Commerce, Ha Noi (2006), “Solutions to develop ecotourism in Vietnam in
the integration trend”. The research focuses on analysing concepts of
tourism, ecotourism, demands and content of ecotourism in the international
economic integration. The research points out opportunities and challenges to
ecotourism development in integration.
On the basis of analyses of experience in ecotourism development in
countries like Australia, New Zealand, Nepan, Kenya, Ecuador, Coasta Rica,
France, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand with reference to Vietnam’s
context, the author has summed up seven valuable lessons which are
applicable to Vietnam.
The research assesses the status quo of ecotourism development in

Vietnam in the past time, regarding successes, limitations, and main causes.
From that point, the author recommends major solutions to develop
ecotourism in Vietnam in the future: (i) Better planning of community-based
sustainable ecotourism; (ii) Improving organisation and management, and
policies to enhance ecotourism development; (iii) Enhancing investment in
infrastructure and material-technical facilities; (iv) Diversifying and
specialising ecotourism products; (v) Improving the quality of ecotourism
products; (vi) Paying due attention to biological diversification and
environmental protection; (vii) Enhancing the quality of ecotourism human