cultural tourism in the mekong delta and cu chi tunnels of south vietnam

8/14/2019 Cultural Tourism in the Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels of South Vietnam

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Vinh Quoc NguyenTourism Management - Deakin University

Table of Contents

Section Page

INTRODUCTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2

SIGNIFICANCE OF CULTURAL VALUES AND TOURISM POTENTIAL ---------------------------- 3

THE MEKONG DELTA----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3CU CHI TUNNELS---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3

DISCUSSION ON TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN DIFFERENT CONTEXTS ------------------------ 4

THE MEKONG DELTA----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4CU CHI DISTRICT---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6

DISCUSSION ON CONDITIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM --------------------------------------- 8

CONCLUSION---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9

REFERENCE LIST --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10


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The Research Essay

With reference to two or more of the case studies presented in the course guide, or

comparable case studies, identify how the different social, economic and culturalcontexts in which cultural tourism takes place can affect the outcome or sustainability of

a cultural project

Introduction

Vietnam is a developing country in transition. Its economy is undergoing a rapid change

as it moves from non-market socialism to a market economy with a socialist orientation.Vietnam is a country with vast natural wealth, rich in natural landscapes and natural

resources, cultural and historical values, which are considered core advantages for

tourism development. In fact, the countrys economy has witnessed a rapidly expanding

tourism sector, with a growth rate of over 17% in recent years (Vietnam Tourism, 2008).

This essay intends to look into cultural tourism development in two case studies in South

Vietnam: The Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels.

Cultural tourism in the Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnel in South Vietnam has been

identified as one of the most obvious economic development opportunities for the

regions. The potential for cultural tourism development in the two destinations is large.

They are spectacular attractions for tourists, in terms of cultural values and natural

landscapes. However, there are issues that need to be considered in developing

sustainable tourism in the places. Cooper (1998) recognised that sustainable development

is inherently strategic and must involve collaboration of social, economic, cultural and

environmental forces in working towards a common goal. In reviewing the tourism

aspects of the destinations, this essay will outline the cultural values and characteristics,

and analyse how cultural tourism is developed in such social, economic and cultural

contexts. Hence, it will provide proper understanding of the contemporary tourism scene

and conditions for long-term development in the case study areas.


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Significance of Cultural Values and Tourism Potential

The Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is the bottom half of Vietnam's two rice baskets, the other being the

Red River Delta in the North (Vietnam Guide Book, 2004). The people of South Vietnam

are very proud of the richness and vastness of this land. When referring to the rice fields

in this area, they often say, "co bay thang canh", meaning the land is so large that the

cranes can stretch their wings as they fly (Vietnam Travel, 2008). The region is rich in

flora and fauna and is the highest producer of rice crops, vegetables and fruit orchards of

the whole country (Vietnam Guide Book, 2004).

The Mekong Delta is divided into 9 provinces: Long An, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, DongThap, An Giang, Vinh Long, Kien Giang, Hau Giang and Minh Hai. The people in this

region are made up of Vietnamese and some people of Khmer, Chinese and Cham origins

(Vietnam Travel, 2008). This accounts for the variety of religions that add to the cultural

diversity of this area. Among the religions practised here are Buddhism, Catholicism,

Cao Dai, Hoa Hao and Islam (Vietnam Guide Book, 2004). People of different religions

participate in the annual regional festivals and events such as the Mekong river rowing,

harvest fests, fruit festivals, amateur music etc.

As described, the Mekong Delta is obviously attractive to tourists with its beauty of

splendid nature, culture, traditions and religions. Visitors will be astonished by the daily

life and cultural activities of local residents on the floating markets. Vietnams Mekong

delta is a magnificent destination for ecological and cultural tourism (Vietnam Tourism,

2008).

Cu Chi Tunnels

Construction of the Cu Chi Tunnels began in 1948, so that the Viet Minh could hide from

French air and ground sweeps. Each hamlet built its own underground communications

route through the hard clay, and over the years the separate tunnels were slowly and


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meticulously connected and fortified (Vietnam Guide Book, 2004). By 1965, during the

escalating American war, there were over 200 kilometers of connected tunnels. This

whole site was the shelter and hideout of the Viet Cong in the war against the Americans

(Biles, Lloyd & Logan, 1999). As the tunnel system grew, so did its complexity. The long

tunnels were little more than one meter high and 80 centimeters wide, and were used to

house and feed the growing number of residents and rudimentary hospitals created to

treat the wounded (Vietnam Guide Book, 2004). The history of the tunnels is of great

significance. The local residentsand soldiers lives in harshness and hardship under the

tunnels, particularly during the U.S campaigns against the tunnels during the long war,

conveyed the whole countrys spirit and struggle for peace and independence.

The historic and cultural values of the Cu Chi tunnels are highly significant and are livingevidence of the Vietnamese endurance and sacrifice for the nations liberty (Vietnam

Guide, 2004). Today the 125-mile-long complex of tunnels at Cu Chi has been preserved

by the government and turned into a war memorial park. The tunnels are a popular tourist

attraction, and visitors are invited to crawl around in the safer parts of the tunnel system

to experience part of the historic story.

Discussion on Tourism Development in Different Contexts

The Mekong Delta

The majority of people in the Mekong delta are low-income earners. The advantage of

the vast and fertile land makes farming the main source of peoples income. Vu (2008)

reported that infrastructure deficits such as clean water, electricity, roads, schools,

institutions hinder economic development in the region. In addition, the educational level

of the local people is relatively low compared to other parts of the country. Families with

poor living conditions cannot afford their childrens education. Therefore, the un-skilled

population is high (Vu, 2008). Further, unavailability of vocational training schools

contributes to the shortage of skilled human resources, in particular economic

development such as the tourism sector (Vu, 2008). It is indisputable that sustainable

human resources help develop the industry successfully (Vu 2008).


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With the advantages of excellent natural resources, tourism has long been exploited in the

Mekong delta. However, tourism promotion of the region by the government and tourism

authorities has not been effective (Sagemueller, 2008). There are just 18 travel companies

from Ho Chi Minh City operating in the Mekong Delta (Vietnam Tourism, 2008). Can

Tho is the biggest city in the delta and the tourism centre, but has only one company

supplying international travel services. Six Mekong Delta provinces do not have any

international travel companies, including Long An, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, Hau Giang, Tra

Vinh and Soc Trang, said Mr. Vu The Binh, Head of the Travel Agency. As a result, the

number of international and domestic visitors to the Mekong Delta is very modest. Even

Korean and Japanese visitors, who account for the highest numbers of foreign tourists to

Vietnam, do not know about the attractions of this region yet (Vu, 2008). In fact, there

are many challenges to tourism development in the Mekong delta. Vu (2008) asserted

that these are due to ineffective development policies by the relevant authorities. Vu

(2008) further stressed that diversity in tourism products is a key factor for success.

However, this factor seems not to be emphasised in development strategies. Thus, tourist

visitation to the destinations is not increasing because tourists expectations and

experiences are not satisfied.

Mass tourism in the Mekong delta has been exploited by tour companies, offering tours

of similar features such as short-day river tours on floating markets and orchard visits.

These have been the typical products of most travel companies. According to Horner and

Swarbrooke (2004), mass tourism can cause damage to the environment and its natural

resources. Tour operators take advantage of the destination resources to make quick

returns on investment, and therefore, intensive environmental development over the long

term is ignored (Horner and Swarbrooke 2004). Consequently, tourism in the Mekong

delta has not created social, economic and environmental benefits to local people such as

employment opportunities, stable incomes and a green and clean environment for living.

The poor people have not had access to local employment in tourism. Mass river tours

have caused erosion on both riverbanks and created waste and rubbish in the water due to

careless tourists. In addition, the Mekong Deltas tourism has not incorporated the

cultural values, traditions and diversity of religions in its development, according to


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Sagemueller (2008). This is important to sustainability because these factors help

preserve the communitys culture and traditions, and create numerous benefits for the

people.

The great potential in the regions cultural tourism has not been properly developed. In a

recent conference, entitled Potential and Development Opportunity in Mekong Delta in

Can Tho city, Sagemueller, General Director of the Europe-Indochina Institute for

Tourism, said, the Mekong Delta can be seen as one of the most attractive tourist

destinations in Asia with beautiful natural landscapes, but it may soon lose this advantage

due to non effective development strategies. And it takes years to reinstate those precious

values. Critically, the tourism authorities need to review development strategies for

sustainable tourism. It is necessary for tourism development to be aimed at thecommunity, particularly the poor population (Donovan, 2008). Sagemueller (2008)

argued that tourism activities in the Mekong Delta do not reflect its great potential and

available resources. There have not been linkages between the advantages of natural

landscape tours and cultural activities in the local community, such as local cuisine,

hospitality, traditional music, harvest fests, fishing and other water activities. Therefore,

cultural values as the core advantages of the Mekong Delta have been neglected in

tourism development.

Cu Chi District

In comparison to other suburban districts of Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi district is

characterised by a high degree of inequality, in terms of infrastructure and economic

development (Huynh, 2008). The lack of intensive investment in infrastructure by the

central government is a disadvantage to stimulate economic development in Cu Chi

district, according to Huynh (2008). In addition, tourist services such as banks, internet,

hotels and quality restaurants are insufficient. On the other hand, the Cu Chi historic

tunnels have faced other pressures from rapid urbanisation and industrialization. Cu Chi

district is one of the closest suburbs of Ho Chi Minh City. This city has a population of

more than 8 million and is over-populated. It is true that the need for urbanisation and


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housing expansion over its suburbs is underway. Cu Chi district has been aimed for

substantial development by Ho Chi Minh Citys strategies because expansion solutions in

other districts nearby, such as Thu Duc, Hoc Mon, have basically been resolved (Huynh,

2008). Moreover, due to the economic development pressure of Cu Chu district, the local

government has called for major investments in infrastructure and manufacturing

industries to create employment opportunities in the locality (Huynh, 2008). Therefore,

there have been many projects underway in the district, such as industrial parks and

residential zones. The impacts on the tunnels site from infrastructure development and

engineering construction in connection with the industrial projects will be unavoidable. In

addition, the natural environment in the place will be threatened when large areas of

agricultural land and rubber plantations are cleared to give space for basic building, such

as roads, sewage system and water supply system and construction of the projects. It is

argued that the whole complex of Cu Chi Tunnels can be protected from any impacts as

such and the site can be well conserved and sustained in a condition of increasing

urbanisation.

The Cu Chi tunnels are open for tourists to visit the war memorial site. The tunnels have

a drawing power because of their historical significance, which attracts most tourists to

the place. Cu Chi tunnels are advertised as one of the main tourist attractions in the south.

However, tourists activities are limited to a few hours stop at the tunnels site, including

crawling through the tunnels to experience part of the Viet Cong soldiers lives during the

American war. In addition, adventurous tourists can experience the firing range with

guided bullet shooting on site in the spirit of the Cu Chi battle zone (Vietnam Tourism,

2008). As a result, this destination, with the sites limited experiences, does not have a

holding power to attract tourists to stay longer. There are several advantages of this

southern region, such as rubber tree plantations, tropical fruit gardens, and livestock

farming, together with local traditional trades and crafts, which could contribute to a

diversity of tourism products. But these advantages have not been concerned in tourism,

and therefore, there is not an involvement by the local residents in any aspects of tourism

development (Huynh, 2008).


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Discussion on Conditions for Sustainable Tourism

In this review of tourism development at the two Vietnamese tourism sites, it is clear that

cultural values are not fully appreciated and strategically exploited by tourism operators

for long-term sustainability. The potential for tourism that is sensitive to history, culture

and natural landscapes in the Mekong Delta and Cu Chi district is large but not being

exploited with the right strategies (Vu, 2008). As a result, tourism benefits do not belong

to the local people. This is because the residents involvement in tourism is minimal. It is

critical that tourism authorities and tourism operators re-define effective development

strategies. As outlined in Donovan (2008), the core elements that are essential for

sustainability are basic services for the poor, maximised local capacity, local capacity

development funds, development in line with carrying capacity, drive for quality, varietyof clients to strengthen micro-macro linkages, partnerships for additional resources to

increase impact and governance for empowerment across all work. These conditions are

applicable to both the Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels where infrastructure upgrade,

and community involvement in all development aspects are considered to be necessary

for tourism. Tourism basic services and businesses such as souvenir products from

traditional crafts, farming produce supplies to hotels, restaurants and tourist home-stay

programs etc. should be created to involve the local people. This will help create jobs for

them and improve their incomes. In addition, Stone (2005) contends that on-site training

and employment are important to sustain the industry because the local people understand

and appreciate their culture, traditions and local practices, and hence, contribute

significantly to the businesses. By doing so, tourism activities can maximise social and

economic benefits and minimise negative impacts on the community. Further, as to the

case of the Cu Chi tunnels, sustainability requires continuing education, training,

management and research on communication methods so that profound interpretation of

the historical and cultural site can reach not only to visitors and tourists effectively but

also to future generations of the locality (Ghosh, Siddique and Gabby 2003). In other

words, sustainable tourism can only take place as long as tourism authorities and

government have appropriate development strategies and policies in place, and which

should be followed by all stakeholders. Critically, tourism operators undertake their


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corporate social responsibility through creating economic, social, cultural and

environmental benefits to the community.

Conclusion

This essay has analysed the social, economic and cultural contexts of the two

destinations, the Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels in which cultural tourism takes

place. It has outlined the issues related to sustainability in each destination, such as

infrastructure deficits, mass tourism, lack of local involvement, lack of product diversity

and ignorance of cultural values in the Mekong Delta. On the other hand, the essay has

also identified particular challenges facing tourism at the Cu Chi tunnels, for example,

rapid urbanization and industrialization. In an effort to encourage sustainable tourism, the

writer has discussed several essential conditions for long-term development in both

destinations. If these conditions are implemented these destinations will be attractive

places for tourists and will develop well with available resources and great potentials.

Thus, sustainable tourism in the Mekong Delta and Cu Chi district will not only satisfy

tourists experiences and expectations but also create social, economic, cultural and

environmental benefits for the host communities.

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Reference List

Biles, A, Lloyd, K & Logan, WS 1999, Romancing Vietnam, the formation and function

of tourist images of Vietnam, in J Forshee (ed.), Converging interests, traders,

travelers and tourists in Southeast Asia, University of California Press, Berkeley

Cooper, M. 1998, A Strategic Model in Developing Sustainable Tourism in Vietnam, The

Journal of Vietnam Studies, Vol. 1, No. 1, 1998

Donovan, T. 2008, SNVs Work in Sustainable Tourism in Lao PDR

Horner, S. and Swarbrooke, J. 2004, International Cases in Tourism Management, 1st

edn. Elsevier ButterworthHeinemann, Oxford

Ghosh, RN. Siddique, MAB & Gabbay, R 2003, Tourism and Economic Development,

Athenaeum Press, Gateshead, UK.Huynh, V.N. 2008, Cu Chi Calls for Investments, retrieved 20/10/2008

Mydans, S. 1999, Visit the Viet Congs World: American Welcome, retrieved

20/10/2008

Sagemueller, E. 2008 in the SGGP Newspaper, Mekong Delta Vietnam to become a

friendly destination, retrieved 20/10/2008

Stone, R.J 2005, Human Resource Management, Fifth edition by John Wiley & Son

Australia Ltd. Qld 4064

Vietnam Guide Book (online), 2008, retrieved 18/10/2008

Vietnam Tourism Net, 2008, Mekong Delta tourism needs to step it upretrieved

2210//2008

Vietnam Tourism, 2008, Tourism in Mekong Delta, retrieved 12/9/2008
http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Entertainment/2006/7/50124/http://www.mishalov.com/Vietnam_Cu-Chi.htmlhttp://www.reidontravel.com/home/http://tftravel.com.vn/lang_en/tintuc/id-738/Mekong-Delta-tourism-needs-to-step-it-up.htmlhttp://tftravel.com.vn/lang_en/tintuc/id-738/Mekong-Delta-tourism-needs-to-step-it-up.htmlhttp://www.vietnamtourism.com/http://www.vietnamtourism.com/http://tftravel.com.vn/lang_en/tintuc/id-738/Mekong-Delta-tourism-needs-to-step-it-up.htmlhttp://tftravel.com.vn/lang_en/tintuc/id-738/Mekong-Delta-tourism-needs-to-step-it-up.htmlhttp://www.reidontravel.com/home/http://www.mishalov.com/Vietnam_Cu-Chi.htmlhttp://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Entertainment/2006/7/50124/


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cultural tourism in the mekong delta and cu chi tunnels of south vietnam

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