Welcome
This blog is created for the purpose of an in-depth study on Vietnam for the subject: Tourism, Culture and Society

Temasek Polytechinic 2010
Monthly archive
Credits
Other sources
Books used:
Vietnam on the move by Lady Borton
Vietnam Today: A Guide to a Nation at a Crossroads by Mark A. Ashwill
National Geographic Traveller: Vietnam by James Sullivan

Layout by 16thday and accordian scripts from dezinerfolio.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010 , 10:20 PM

  • Dam Sen Park and Zoo
Vietnam's answer to DisneyLand, Dam Sen Park is packed with both children and adult attractions. It consists of not only a land park but water parks as well where aquatic games and activities are offered. The zoo features elephants, which double as amusement rides for tourists. There is also a monorail inside the park, which goes round a central lake from which recreational fishers catch fish for on-site consumption. This is a good example of theming as well as hybrid consumption. Not only can visitors go there for amusement rides, there is also dining in the Stone Park cafe and water puppetry shows to entertain visitors.
  • Saigon Square
This shopping center includes a supermarket encircle by 20 other retail outlets selling name-brand stuff like Hugo Boss, Nokia, Motorola and Longines. There are also shops which sells designer clothes, luggage, and accessories. This is an example of merchandising.

  • The Time Hotel
According to TripAdvisor, 11 of out 15 reviews said that they had a great time in the Time Hotel due to the warm and friendly staff there.

"You will be greeted by smiling staff whose main objective is to make you comfortable."
"From the first time I walked in, I was greeted so warmly. They took amazing care of me and I though I was at home."
"The front desk staff is good as well. each time when we go to the lobby for rest or wait for our taxi to come, they will surely offer us some drink during waiting."
"Everyone from the front lobby to service were nice and friendly."
"The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, they go beyond their duties to make sure you are having a comfortable stay."
Therefore, this is an example of performative labour whereby companies recognise that this will help differentiate themselves from their competitors.

Labels:


, 9:11 PM

  • Social-cultural

-Strengthened communities through revitalization of cultural resources. As seen in the article Don Village Festival to feature various activities, the festival, which aims to attract both domestic as well as foreign tourists, will showcase activities like the traditional buffalo slaughtering, elephant race, and dug-out canoe race. These activites is siad to help visitors learn more about the culture of the Don Village.


-Facilties developed for tourism have benefited residents. According to TravelDailyNews, a 11.1 million USD project was started to promote sustainable tourism in 5 targeted provinces. The project will help to improve tourism related infrastructure as well as support pro-poor community-based tourism projects. The 5 targeted provinces that have potential for tourism development are Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Binh and Quang Tri.


-Encouraged civiv involvement and pride. As mentiooned in a report by The Netherlands Development Organization- Vietnam, a community-based tourism development in Sapa aimed to support the active participation of the community in tourism desicion making and implementation and also reduce the negative impacts in the field of culture and environment. the Hmong people are involved as guides for tourists which stimulates feelings of pride in their local heritage.

-Here comes the negative part, resource use conflict. According to Viet Nam News, thousands of peasants in Kim No, fought with the Public Security and the army in order to preserve their rice fields. This all started when the Hanoi Government decided to sell the food planing fields to Korean developers to build a luxury golf course to accommodate foreign vacationers.

-Also, in some areas of Vietnam, there was a change or loss of indigenous identity and values. Some communities have seen their customs and traditions changed to suit visitors rather than their own needs. As Tourism Development In Vietnam puts it, it is called staged authenticity. One example is the village of Klong, which is marketed to English speaking visitors as the "Chicken Village". The tribes-people do not even live in the village and the textiles supposedly woven, were made in a factory.

  • Economic

-Increased standrard of living among locals. As tourism growth continue to rise, many tourism-related job opportunities have surfaced and this benefits the locals, as tourism is a very versatile and divere industry which supports a range of income-earning opportunities. Also, those who undergo vocational skills training to prepare themselves for their jobs can get to earn higher wages, which in turns increase their standard of living.

-For the Governemnt, tourism has proved to be a significant source of investment and tax earnings. This is because tourism has benefited the hotel, construction, service sectors as well as service-oriented industries.

  • Environmental

-Increased awarenss of the environment. The authorities in Vietnam have decided to develop environmentally agro-forestry activities, encourage community based ecotourism. Ecotourism parks have also been developed to protect the environment

-However, despite the government's efforts, there is still environemental changes. For exmple, deforestation has occured to make way for the building of large-scale resorts. Residual chemicals and waste water disposal from hotels and golf-courses have also lead to the damage in the susrrounding environment.


  • Political/ Legal

- Decentralization of government. Provincial and district-level authorities have been given greater responsibilities to manage tourism planning and development. This decentralized and more integrated approach was said to enhance opportunities for tourism development.

- In 2003, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) drafted a Tourim Law
to ensure that people engaged in tourism are paid fairly and received adequate social protection in the form of benefits from tourism development. Also, a "narrator", one who delivers on-site interpreting services to tourists no longer need to hold a degree as the government feel that the rural poor are the most appropriate interpreters of their own culture.

Labels: