Tourism Impacts and Support for Tourism Development in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam: An Examination of Residents’ Perceptions

Local residents of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site (recognized in 1994), overwhelmingly support tourism development, viewing it positively for its economic and socio-cultural benefits. While they generally favor tourism, they exhibit slight ambivalence toward its environmental impacts. The study, based on a questionnaire survey of 417 respondents, reveals that the majority are young, ethnically Kinh, married, and long-term residents (over 20 years). This research contributes to sustainable tourism development by highlighting local perceptions and attitudes in a developing country context, offering policy recommendations for balancing tourism growth with environmental preservation.

Hong Long, P. (2012). Tourism Impacts and Support for Tourism Development in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam: An Examination of Residents’ Perceptions. Asian Social Science, 8(8). https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v8n8p28