TRAN
THI
TO
LAN
–
GRA
DUAT
ION
THES
IS DAN
ANG
2021

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
DUY TAN UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF ENGLISH

GRADUATION THESIS
TRAN THI TO LAN

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ADVANTAGES
AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE TOURIST
DESTINATIONS IN HUONG HOA DISTRICT,
QUANG TRI PROVINCE IN TOURIST
ATTRACTION AND SOME SOLUTIONS TO
IMPROVING THE SITUATION

Major
Code

: English for Tourism

: 702


DA NANG – June 2021
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
DUY TAN UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF ENGLISH

GRADUATION THESIS
TRAN THI TO LAN

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF
THE TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN
HUONG HOA DISTRICT, QUANG TRI
PROVINCE IN TOURIST ATTRACTION
AND SOME SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVING
THE SITUATION
Major

: English for Tourism
Code

: 702

SUPERVISOR: TRAN THI THO, M.A.


1


ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This graduation thesis could not be finished without the invaluable
help, advice, and encouragement of many people whose assistance was a
milestone in the completion of this project.
First of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my
supervisor, M.s Tho, for giving me the opportunity to do research and
providing invaluable guidance throughout this research. She has taught me the
methodology to carry out the research and to present the research works as
clearly as possible. It was a great privilege and honor to work and study under
his guidance. I am extremely grateful for what she has offered me.
In particular, I would like to express my sincere gratitude as well as
appreciation to all the teachers at Duy Tan University for assisting me with
their knowledge, guidance, and encouragement during my study. Teachers and
lecturers at Duy Tan University have created a chance for me to enhance my
soft skills and learn many useful lessons.
In addition, I am also thankful to the local managers of Huong Hoa
district for providing valuable information that helps me complete this
project.
The word “thank you” will never be enough to express my gratitude for
you. Thank you for everything.
I wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
Tran Thi To Lan


2

STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP
Except where reference is made in the text of the thesis, this thesis
contains no material published elsewhere or extracted in the whole or in part

from a thesis by which have qualified for or been awarded another degree or
diploma.
No other person’s work has been used without due acknowledgement in
the thesis.
This thesis has not been submitted for award of any degree or diploma
in any other tertiary institution.
Danang, March 28th, 2021


3

ABSTRACT
Due to the country's large tourism industry reserves, tourism is said to be
an important pillar of the Vietnamese economy. The country's economy would
benefit tremendously if you know how to efficiently exploit and implement
the available incentives. Following the aftermath of Covid-19, the current
revenue from foreign tourists to Vietnam has increased slightly. This is what
encouraged me to choose the topic "An investigation into the advantages and
disadvantages of the tourist destinations in Huong Hoa district, Quang Tri
province in tourist attraction and some solutions to improving the situation"
with the ability to put the gained information into effect, provide useful ideas
based on better analyzing the district's current situation, and contribute to
helping the district's business grow in a more productive direction.


4

LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.1 Number of tourists visiting Huong Hoa from 2017 to 2019................49
Table 4.2 Number of Huong Hoa tourism sales from 2017 to 2019....................51

Table 4.3 Marketing activities of tourism in Huong Hoa from 2017 to 2019......53
Table 4.4 Number of labors in Huong Hoa tourism from 2017 to 2019..............55
Table 5.5 Results of customer satisfaction assessment........................................59

LIST OF PICTURE


5

Picture 3.1 The US military base at Khe Sanh................................................19
Picture 3.2 Map of Huong Hoa District..........................................................20
Picture 3.3 Huong Hoa is a promising location for wind energy production..23
Picture 3.4 Huong Hoa people wear traditional costumes for cultural and
cultural activities.............................................................................................25
Picture 3.5 Overview of Sepon Hotel..............................................................26
Picture 3.6 Mien Vien Thao Garden Homestay...............................................28
Picture 3.7 5 Seasons Bungalow.....................................................................29
Picture 3.8 Overview of Lao Bao economic region........................................31
Picture 3.9 Tourists in Lao Bao Prision...........................................................33
Picture 3.10 The M48 Tank and the US Military Carrier M113.....................34
Picture 3.11 Military planes from the United States.......................................35
Picture 3.12 Museum at Ta Con airport...........................................................35
Picture 3.13 Vay village’s Victory Monument................................................36
Picture 3.14 Tourists pass through the Lao Bao international border gate......37
Picture 3.15 Tourists enjoy with Sa Mu Tour..................................................38
Picture 3.16 Directional nature's grandiose pristine beauty in Huong Hoa....39
Picture 3.17 The pristine caves in Huong Hoa................................................40
Picture 3.18 Opening of the upland fair..........................................................41



6

LIST OF GRAPHS
Graph 4.1 Number of tourists visiting Huong Hoa from 2017 to 2019...............50
Graph 4.2 Total of tourism sales in Huong Hoa from 2017 to 2019....................52


7

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
DMZ: Demilitarized Zone
F&B: Food and Beverage


8

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT...............................................................................i
STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP................................................................ii
ABSTRACT....................................................................................................iii
LIST OF TABLES..........................................................................................iv
LIST OF PICTURES......................................................................................v
LIST OF GRAPHS.........................................................................................vi
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.......................................................................vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS.............................................................................viii

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION..................................................................1
1.1 Rationale...............................................................................................1
2.1 Aims and Objectives.............................................................................2
3.1 Scope of the Study................................................................................3

4.1 Methods of the Study............................................................................3
5.1 Organization of the Study.....................................................................4
CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND......................................5
2.1 Tourists and Tourism.............................................................................5
2.1.1 Tourists and Tourism.......................................................................5
2.1.2 Tourism Industry.............................................................................9
2.2 Quang Tri province.............................................................................11
2.2.1 Historical Background..................................................................11
2.2.2 Geographical Features...................................................................12
CHAPTER 3: CASE DESCRIPTION.........................................................18


9

3.1 Overview Of Huong Hoa District.........................................................18
3.1.1 Historical background....................................................................18
3.1.2 Geographical Location of Huong Hoa District..............................19
3.1.3 Topographic and Climatic Features................................................20
3.1.4 Economic, Cultural and Social Situation.......................................22
3.2 The Current Situations Of Tourism Exploitation At Tourist Destinations
In Huong Hoa District.................................................................................26
3.2.1 Physical Infrastructure....................................................................26
3.2.2 Tourism Activities of the Huong Hoa District................................33
3.2.3 Marketing & Advertisement...........................................................42
3.2.4 Policies of Local Government........................................................43
3.2.5 Human Resources...........................................................................45
CHAPTER 4 : ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION.......................................46
4.1 Analysis Of The Tourist Destinations In Huong Hoa District, Quang Tri
Province In Tourist Attraction From 2017 To 2019....................................46
4.1.1 The Number of Tourists..................................................................46

4.1.2 Sales...............................................................................................48
4.1.3 Marketing Activities.......................................................................50
4.1.5 Human Resources...........................................................................51
4.1.6 Survey analysis of tourists' information journey...........................53
4.1.7 Analyze the guest satisfaction assessment related to the tourism
factors......................................................................................................55
4.2 Evaluation Of The Tourist Destinations In Huong Hoa District, Quang
Tri Province In Tourist Attraction From 2017 To 2019...............................57
4.2.1 Strengths.........................................................................................57
4.2.2 Weaknesses.....................................................................................58
CHAPTER 5: DIFFICULTIES AND SOLUTIONS..................................60
5.1. Difficulties............................................................................................60
5.2. Solutions...............................................................................................62


10

5.2.1 Marketing and Advertising Activities............................................62
5.2.2 Tourist Accommodation.................................................................63
5.2.3 Policies of Local Government........................................................63
5.2.4 Travel Agencies..............................................................................64
5.2.5 Sustainable Development...............................................................65
CHAPTER 6: CONCLUTION AND SUGGESTIONS.............................66
6.1 Summary of the findings.......................................................................66
6.2 Suggestions............................................................................................67
REFERENCES...............................................................................................xi
APPENDIX...................................................................................................xiii
SUPERVISOR’S COMMENTS...................................................................xv



1

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Rationale
Currently, in the world as well as in Vietnam, the hobby of traveling is
increasing and gradually becoming an essential need for people. In the
process of globalization integration and socio-economic development, many
countries aim to modernize and industrialize the country to promote
economic growth and improve people's lives, so the work pressure on the
employees is very high. Therefore, after a period of stressful and tiring work,
they want to rest, relax and move to other territories. Plainly, the travel
industry is one of the significant monetary industries of numerous nations
around the globe currently, including our Vietnam. Since 2001, Vietnam
tourism has been planned and oriented by the government to become a
spearhead economic sector.
Vietnam is a country that has a long history of arrangement and
improvement, crossing over 4000 years of development and protecting the
country's social character. During the way toward opening and incorporation,
with the upside of plentiful travel industry assets around the country,
Vietnam has been picked as a fascinating objective to visit, investigate and
experience by sightseers. In which, the central region has a rapid
breakthrough in the development of tourism and clearly shows its edge and
the number of tourists came to Quang Tri increased sharply over this period.
Specifically, Lao Bao international border gate is one of the nation's
significant line doors, which are good conditions for Quang Tri in financial
advancement trade, routes, and tourist attractions.
Huong Hoa is an uneven region with numerous highlights like a great
mountain and timberland framework; differentiated and rich waterways,



2

streams, cascades, and lakes make a delightful and beautiful picture; the
environment is new and cool lasting through the year; wealthy in the public
social character of individuals of Van Kieu and Pa Ko; numerous public
verifiable relics, global standing ... make an enduring impact on guests to
visit. These are viewed as ideal conditions to advance the travel industry
improvement. However, in addition to the positive advantages in the
development process, Huong Hoa also faces several difficulties, limitations,
and challenges affecting tourism development activities and attracting
tourists: the number of tourists coming back to the destination is not high,
traffic is limited, tourism quality is low,... So I chose the topic “An
investigation into the advantages and disadvantages of the tourist
destinations in Huong Hoa district, Quang Tri province in tourist
attraction and some solutions to improving the situation.” In this survey,
I want to find out the current status of tourism exploitation in Huong Hoa
and propose some solutions to promote the advantages and overcome the
disadvantages of this district.
2.1 Aims and Objectives
The main aims and objective of the study are to:
- To research, evaluate the real situation of tourism exploitation in Huong
Hoa district.
- To point out the advantages and disadvantages of Huong Hoa district in
developing tourism and attracting tourists.
- To suggest some solutions to improve the quality of tourism activities

3.1 Scope of the Study
This study would pay attention to three important sectors as follows:



3

- Space: Studying advantages and disadvantages of tourist attraction to
Huong Hoa district.
- Time: Analyzing and evaluating the situation to attract tourists to Huong
Hoa district in the period 2017 – 2019.
- From the actual status of the disadvantages and advantages facing Huong
Hoa district, offer solutions to improve the tourism situation in the
locality.
4.1 Methods of the Study
The selection and correct application of scientific research methods play a
significant role in the success of this topic. I used the following methods:
- The collecting method: The references are gathered from a variety of
sources such as travel-related books, newspapers, internet, including
international and domestic tourism so that I can have a general overview
of the item research target.
- The synthetic verification method: After collecting the information, I had
to verify its practicality and accuracy and then bring them back to arrange
scientifically and have a clear logical sequence. This makes it easier for
me to export information later.
- The comparative and analytical methods: This method helps me to delve
into problems from the collected literature. Initially making comparative
statements to find suitable directions. Using data analysis method is the
core basis for me to identify the problem correctly, thereby finding
important problems that need to be solved.
- The interview method: This is a method that requires patience and
perseverance, and in order to achieve high efficiency, the questions raised
must be practical and focused accurately on the issues that need to be
collected information.



4

5.1 Organization of the Study
This study is divided into six significant chapters:
- Chapter 1 include rationale, aims, and objectives, the scope of the study,
methodology, and organization of the study.
- Chapter 2 is the theoretical background of tourism, tourists, tourism
resources, and sustainable tourism.
- Chapter 3 is the case description. This chapter will perform an overview
of Huong Hoa district and the real situation of tourism exploitation at
tourist destinations in Huong Hoa district.
- Chapter 4 is the analysis and evaluation. Some aspects of advantages and
disadvantages will be analyzed and evaluated.
- Chapter 5 is the dificulties and solutions. It shows some dificulties and
some solutions to develop tourism and attract tourists to Huong Hoa
district over the period.
- Chapter 6 will present a brief summary of the findings, and offer some
suggestions for Duy Tan University to improve the quality of learning at
Faculty of English as well as the conclusion.


5

CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
2.1 Tourists and Tourism
2.1.1 Tourists and Tourism
2.1.1.1 Tourists

 Definitions of Tourists

According to some researchers, the concept of tourists first appeared in
the late eighteenth century in France and is understood as: " Tourists are
people making a great journey ''.[12]
In the early twentieth century, the Austrian economist, Josef Stander
defined: " Tourists are commuters who stay at their leisure outside of their
regular residence to satisfy high-end living needs. without pursuing
economic purposes. ''[12]
According to Article 4, Chapter I, Law on Tourism of Vietnam (2005)
states: " A tourist is a person traveling or combined with travel, except for
schooling, working or practicing to receive income at home. destination''.[5]

 Types of Tourists
According to the World Tourism Organization, tourists include both
international tourists and domestic tourists.
- “An international tourist is a person who leaves the country for at
least 24 hours and no more than 12 months with the intention of not
working to earn a living at the destination.” [12]
- “A domestic tourist is someone who leaves his or her daily
residence within the jurisdiction of that country for at least 24 hours and
no more than 12 months with the intention of not working for selection
join in destination.”[12]
In our country, tourists include international tourists and domestic
tourists:[5]


6

- International tourists include two groups of tourists: tourists entering
Vietnam (inbound visitors) and tourist’s abroad (outbound visitors).
+ Tourists entering Vietnam (inbound visitors): are foreigners,

Vietnamese people residing abroad in Vietnam to travel.
+ Tourists abroad (outbound visitors): are Vietnamese citizens,
foreigners residing in Vietnam to travel abroad.
- Domestic tourists are Vietnamese citizens and foreigners residing in
Vietnam traveling within the territory of Vietnam.
2.1.1.2

Tourism

 Definitions of Tourism
Tourism is a range of events, amenities, and sectors that offer a travel
experience, such as transportation, lodging, dining and drinking outlets,
retail stores, entertainment companies, activity centers, and other
hospitality services for individuals or groups traveling away from home.
According to the Vietnam Tourism Law in 2017: “Tourism is an
activity related to human outside of his regular residence with the time
under 1 year in order to meet the needs of sightseeing,

study,

entertainment, and relaxation in certain time period or another purpose”
[11]. Tourism resources are natural landscapes, natural elements, cultural
and historical relics, human creative works and other human values can be
used to meet the demand for tourism, is a basic element to form tourism
zones, tourism spots, tourism routes, tourism towns. Tourism resources
include natural resources and cultural resources. Tourism territorial
organizations include tourism destinations, tourist areas, tourism routes,
tourism centers. [4]
According to Macintosh and Goeldner (1986) : “Tourism is a
collection of activities, services and industries which deliver a travel

experience comprising transportation, accommodation, eating and


7

drinking establishments, retail shops, entertainment businesses and other
hospitality services provided for individuals or groups traveling away
from home.” The sum of the phenomena and relationships arising from
the interaction of tourists, business suppliers, host governments and host
communities in the process of attracting and host in these tourists and
other visitors. [1]
In

order

to

prevent

the

disaccords

to

define "Tourism", United

Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defined it as indicated
below;
“Tourism comprises the activities of persons traveling to and staying in

places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive
year for leisure, business and other purposes”. Tourism is different from
travel. Tourism requires a displacement: a person must fly, using either mode
of transportation (he can also travel on foot: this is often the case in poorer
cultures, but it also occurs in more industrialized ones, and concerns pilgrims,
hikers, etc.). But all travel is not tourism. Three criteria are used concurrently
to classify a trip as tourism-related. The displacement must be such that:


It entails a departure from one's everyday environment: this concept is
crucial and will be discussed further below.



• Type of purpose: the travel must occur for some reason other than
being remunerated from inside the location visited: the former limits,
which limited tourism to leisure and visiting relatives and friends, have
now been extended to cover a wide range of purposes;


8



Duration: only the maximum duration is defined, not the minimum.
Tourism displacement may include or exclude an overnight stay. From
a methodological and mathematical perspective, we will address the
uniqueness of in-transit visits. [1]

 Types of Tourism

Travelling is a way to learn and experience new cultures, traditions and
meet new people at the same time. There are different types of tourism as:
- Recreational Tourism - People who visit to relax and have fun are
included in this category.
- Cultural Tourism - Cultural tourism is the subset of tourism dealing with
a traveler's interaction with a country's or region's culture; it emphasizes
the people's lifestyle, heritage, literature, religion(s), and the other factors
that help mold their existence.
- Nature Tourism - This is referred as responsible travel to natural areas,
which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of the local
people. It is Tourism based on the natural attractions of a specific area.
Some examples include bird watching, photography, camping, hiking and
hunting, fishing and visiting parks. These experiential tourists are
interested in a diversity of natural and cultural resources. They want what
is real and they want to be immersed in a rich natural, cultural or
historical

experience.

Nature-based

tourism

incentivizes

local

governments and homeowners to protect ecological habitats on which the
industry depends; it encourages restoration by increasing the importance
of remaining natural areas.

- Pleasure Tourism - Some people fly to find peace and fulfillment.


9

- Religious Tourism- Which is also known as faith tourism. It is a form of
tourism in which individuals or groups travel for pilgrimage or
recreational (fellowship) purposes.
- Medical pilgrimage - Medical Tourism refers to people travelling to a
country other than their own to obtain medical treatment. Medical
Tourism most often is for surgeries or some people travel for dental care
of fertility treatments. People suffering from rare diseases will be able to
fly to places where the care is best known. Health Tourism is a term for
travel that focus on medical treatments and the use of healthcare services.
- Adventure Tourism -Adventure Tourism is a form of tourism that
involves the exploration of a journey with a certain degree of danger, as
well as the use of specific skills and physical exertion. Adventure tourists
can be motivated to reach mental states described as hurry or flow as a
result of venturing outside of their comfort zone. [10]
2.1.2 Tourism Industry
The tourism industry, also known as the travel industry, is associated
with people traveling to other destinations, either domestically or abroad, for
recreation, social, or commercial reasons. It is inextricably linked to the
restaurant, catering, and transportation industries, and much of it revolves
around keeping visitors comfortable, busy, and well-equipped during their
time away from home.
To begin, it is necessary to describe the term "tourism industry."
Essentially, it refers to any practice involving the short-term travel of
individuals to places other than their normal residence. It is one of the world's
biggest markets, and the economies of several nations are heavily reliant on

tourism.


10

It is also a diverse industry that comprises the hospitality industry,
transportation, and a host of other businesses or sectors. It is critical to
recognize that the tourism industry is related to movement to various places,
dependent not just on recreation, but also on business and other travel
motivators.
Tourism has many advantages, including economic benefits to countries
that draw a vast number of tourists, as a result of the money spent not only on
their actual stay, but also on local industries. It also offers a vast number of
positions in the transportation and hospitality industries, among others.[8]
Fields in the tourism industry are: transportation, accommodation, food
and beverage, entertainment, and connected industries.
2.2 Quang Tri province


11

2.2.1 Historical Background

Picture 2.1: The map of Quang Tri province ( 廣 廣 ) of the Nguyen Dynasty
of Vietnam printed in the unified Dai Nam

The lowlands of Quang Tri and central Vietnam as a whole were
inhabited by Cham peoples (Champa), who spoke a Malayo-Polynesian
language and were culturally distinct from the Vietnamese to the north of the
Red River. Beginning in the 14th and 15th centuries, Vietnamese armies

conquered the Chams in the region, and ethnic Vietnamese eventually
expelled or absorbed those Chams who had not fled. Over time, a distinct
Vietnamese dialectical and cultural subgroup emerged in the region. By 1874,
the French had taken control of the province . In 1887, it became a
protectorate of France in Indochina, known as the Annam protectorate.
Following the 1954 Geneva Agreement, the Ben Hai River was chosen
as a provisional military boundary, and Quang Tri province was briefly split


12

into two parts, continuing to combat the US army and the Republic of
Vietnam. When the Paris Agreement on Vietnam was signed on January 27,
1973, Quang Tri had the largest and most full liberated region in the entire
South, being a vital strategic role in both political and military terms
diplomacy, economics, and culture. [9]
2.2.2 Geographical Features
Quang Tri is a coastal province in central Vietnam's North Central
district. It is bounded to the north by the district of Le Thuy in Quang Binh
province, to the south by the districts of Phong Dien and A Luoi in Thua
Thien Hue province, to the east by the East Coastline, and to the west by the
provinces of Savannakhet and Salavan in Laos.
Quang Tri is the starting point for
the East-West Economic Corridor,
which connects Laos, Thailand, and
Myanmar

through

the


Lao

Bao

international border gate to central
ports such as Cua Viet, Chan May, Da
Nang, and Vung Ang... These benefits
will support Quang Tri in increasing
regional

economic

international

cooperation,

transportation,

trade

growth, infrastructure, and tourism.
Quang Tri has excellent transportation
options via road, rail, and waterway.
Quang Tri has several arterial roads,
including National Highway, Ho Chi
Picture 2.2: Map of Quang Tri
Province



13

Minh Road (East and West branches), a North-South railway that runs
through the province, and National Highway 9 that connects to Trans-Asian
roads, allowing Quang Tri to share trade with other provinces in the area and
the whole world. Cua Viet Port is one of the seaports in Trans Asia that can
handle regional freight and transshipment. Phu Bai airport - Thua Thien Hue
(about 80 km) and Da Nang international airport are both located close to the
center of Dong Ha district (about 150 km). Quang Tri, like other provinces in
the Central region, has received State attention and benefits over the years.
The Lao Bao special economic and commercial zone has grown rapidly. The
facilities of Nam Dong Ha industrial park, Quan Ngang industrial park, and
tourist attractions such as Hien Luong, Cua Tung, Khe Sanh, and Lao Bao
have been invested in and steadily promoted their effectiveness. Infrastructure
such as transportation, power, water supply and sanitation, postal service, and
telecommunications are continuously being upgraded. Poverty reduction,
health, school - preparation, entertainment - recreation are also developmentoriented social sectors.

2.2.2.1

Natural features

- Topography:
The terrain of Quang Tri is lower from west to east and southeast due to
the structure of Truong Son Mountain. Quang Tri has four categories of
terrain: high mountains in the west extending from the top of Truong Son
mountain to the hills; a midland and narrow plain running through the