Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
Summer 2024
Abstract
Ethnic tourism aims to promote cultural heritage and stimulate economic development by showcasing the traditions of ethnic communities to visitors. In Ha Giang, Northern Vietnam, Pa Vi Village was developed by the government to preserve Hmong culture and enhance local tourism. Goffman’s front-stage/back-stage theory (1959) explains how cultural tourism often presents a curated performance to meet tourist expectations, while the authentic aspects of daily life remain hidden. At Pa Vi Village, front-stage elements like cultural performances and tourist-oriented homestays may not reflect the true back-stage reality of the Hmong community. This project evaluates the village’s success based on tourist feedback and interviews. While tourists generally express satisfaction with their visit, few intend to return, and the economic benefits largely favor non-Hmong homestay owners, contributing to concerns of staged authenticity in cultural representation.
Recommended Citation
Vu, Ngoc-Ha, "The Rise of Ethnic Tourism in Vietnam: Staged Authenticity at Pa Vi Village, Ha Giang" (2024). Kenyon Summer Science Scholars Program. Paper 714.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/summerscienceprogram/714