Abstract

In recent years, experiential and educational tourism has emerged as a popular global trend, providing tourists with engaging, immersive experiences that foster meaningful connections to local communities and cultures. This study aimed to investigate the potential of integrating experiential and educational tourism into traditional tourism in Vietnam, with the objective of attracting a broader range of tourists and promoting sustainable tourism development. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research combined qualitative case studies of successful experiential and educational tourism models in some notable countries around the world with quantitative data analysis to identify best practices and potential areas of improvement for Vietnam's tourism industry. The study first presents the concepts of experiential and educational tourism, exploring their underlying principles and potential benefits for both tourists and host communities. It then offers an overview of the current state of tourism in Vietnam, outlining its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Then, by examining various international case studies, the research delves into key success factors and innovative practices that can be adapted and applied in the Vietnamese context. The results indicated that experiential and educational tourism initiatives can effectively complement traditional tourism by offering unique, immersive experiences that cater to diverse interests and preferences, thereby increasing tourist satisfaction and encouraging repeat visits. Furthermore, these initiatives contributed to local community development, cultural preservation, and environmental conservation, aligning with the principles of sustainable tourism. The study also discussed potential challenges and barriers to the implementation of experiential and educational tourism in Vietnam, such as the need for capacity building, infrastructure development, and effective marketing strategies. To conclude, the study offered practical recommendations for various tourism stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and local communities, on how to effectively integrate experiential and educational tourism into their offerings. It also proposed avenues for future research, such as the development of tailored experiential and educational tourism products for specific market segments and the assessment of the long-term impacts of these initiatives on the overall quality and competitiveness of Vietnam's tourism industry. By emphasizing the importance of diversifying Vietnam's tourism offerings to meet the evolving demands of tourists, this research aimed to contribute to the ongoing efforts to foster long-term growth and sustainability in the country's tourism sector.

Keywords: experiential tourism, educational tourism, traditional tourism, Vietnam, sustainable tourism, tourism diversification, best practices, case studies