THE DEVELOPMENT OF CRUISE TOURISM IN HO CHI MINH CITY: IMPACTS AND OPPORTUNITIES TA QUANG TRUNG A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Liverpool John Moores University for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy October 2019 Abstract This submission reports on an investigation of the development of cruise tourism in Vietnam with a more specific focus on Ho Chi Minh City. The main aim of the study was to assess the impacts of cruise tourism for that city, its region and the wider nation. The research approach in the study employed a blended methodology within which the main research tools were semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire survey. In Ho Chi Minh City and its hinterland the sample consisted of 28 semi-structured interviews with a range of staff at tourist companies, port employees and local residents, alongside the distribution of 100 questionnaires to cruise tourists. Data was analysed by using thematic analysis for the interview elements of data collection and through the use of the SPSS-computer program for the questionnaire survey. Based on themes derived from the literature, the main focus for analysis was on the impact in relation to the economic, social-cultural, and environmental contexts of cruise tourism in the region. This structure aligns closely with the emerging literature on the concept of the ‘Triple Bottom Line’, which is discussed in the Literature Review chapter, and was used to develop the conclusions to the thesis. The findings of the study suggest that the impact in the three areas noted above have brought both positive and negative effects. Cruise tourism has enhanced the economy but has also created challenges for the environment in Ho Chi Minh City and the surrounding area since there have been significant environmental impacts such as air pollution, water pollution, and noise pollution. Crucially, it was noted that since Ho Chi Minh City does not have a direct dock to welcome cruise ships, most tourists are forced to disembark at the dock in the Phu My area (Ba Ria – Vung Tau province), which is a significant cause of pollution through its effect on road traffic. The recommendations from the research are that greater attention needs to be paid to the infrastructure to support tourism in Vietnam and that the negative environmental and cultural impacts should be ameliorated wherever possible through greater social engagement that involves all elements of both regional and national authorities. 1 Acknowledgements My PhD research was made possible by receiving a scholarship from the Vietnam International Education Cooperation Department – Ministry of Education and Training of the Vietnamese Government. The country gave me a full scholarship for four years to do my PhD research in the United Kingdom. First of all, I wish to offer a very special thanks to my Director of Studies, Professor Mark Brundrett, who has extensive experience in doing research. This is the second time I have conducted research as a tourism researcher; however, the PhD is the highest level for conducting research. During my studies, I have met with some challenging issues in the research process and without his intellectual supervision and unconditional support I would not have completed my research. There are no words to express how grateful I am to him. He is not only an excellent supervisor but also a good friend, a psychologist, who has eased my worries and sadness. I admire him very much, and I wish him good health and the best of luck in the future. I also thank my second supervisor Nicholas Wise, who helped me a great deal, especially in relation to discovering more about cruise tourism and wider theories in tourism. I thank all the managers and the staff at the Sai Gon Tourist Company, the Ben Thanh Tourist Company, Sai Gon port, Tan Cang port, Baria Serece port in Vietnam who agreed to be participants in my research. I am grateful to my parents, my parents-in-law, my younger sister and her husband, my brother-in-law and their wives, who encouraged, helped, and supported me with financial assistance as well as wider support. I thank all my Vietnamese and international friends for their friendship and encouragement, which have made my four years in the United Kingdom become more meaningful. Finally, I cannot chronicle the sacrifices of my wife and my son during my four years of study. I thank my wife for helping me to take care of our life and my son during the time I have studied in the United Kingdom. I thank my son for taking care of himself during the time I have had to concentrate on my research. His independence and sense of humour have been a very big spiritual support to me. 2 Table of contents ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................................. 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................................... 2 LIST OF ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................................... 6 LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................................... 7 LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................................................... 8 LIST OF APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................. 10 CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 11 1.1. THE RESEARCHER ........................................................................................................................... 12 1.2. BACKGROUND TO THE RESEARCH ...................................................................................................... 13 1.3. RESEARCH ON CRUISE TOURISM ....................................................................................................... 14 1.4. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK ............................................................................................................. 16 1.5. THE CONCEPT OF THE TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE ....................................................................................... 18 1.6. THE AIMS OF THIS STUDY ................................................................................................................ 21 1.7. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY .............................................................................................................. 21 1.8. RESEARCH QUESTIONS .................................................................................................................... 21 1.9. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .............................................................................................................. 22 1.10. STRUCTURE OF THE THESIS .............................................................................................................. 23 1.11. SUMMARY OF THIS CHAPTER ........................................................................................................... 24 CHAPTER 2. THE CONTEXT OF THE STUDY ............................................................................................ 25 2.1. OVERVIEW OF TOURISM IN VIETNAM ................................................................................................ 26 2.1.1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 27 2.1.2. Vietnam history overview ............................................................................................... 27 2.1.3. Vietnam culture overview ............................................................................................... 28 2.1.4. Vietnam economy overview ............................................................................................ 29 2.1.5. Vietnam tourism overview .............................................................................................. 31 2.1.5.1. Cailan port .................................................................................................................................. 32 2.1.5.2. Hai Phong port ........................................................................................................................... 33 2.1.5.3. Chan May port ............................................................................................................................ 33 2.1.5.4. Tien Sa port ................................................................................................................................ 33 2.1.5.5. Quy Nhon port............................................................................................................................ 34 2.1.5.6. Cau Da port ................................................................................................................................. 34 2.1.5.7. Phu My Cruise Port..................................................................................................................... 34 2.2. TOURISM IN VIETNAM ................................................................................................................... 34 2.2.1. Cruise tourism .................................................................................................................. 37 2.2.2. Cruise tourism