Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

Summer 2025

Abstract

Adventure tourism has rapidly transformed the Ha Giang Loop—a famous motorcycle route in northern Vietnam known for its spectacular landscape, winding roads, and ethnic villages—into a popular backpacker destination, driven largely by post-pandemic social media exposure. The question this research aims to answer is, “To what extent do social media, marketing, and peer networks serve as a feedback loop in influencing travelers’ decisions and experiences on the Ha Giang Loop?” Using a mixed-methods approach consisting of surveys with 61 travelers, a content analysis of 100 social media posts, and qualitative interviews with tourists, tour operators, and online communities, the research finds that visitors are predominantly young Western backpackers who discovered the Loop through friends or social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. Their main motivations are scenery and social interactions. Despite high satisfaction and strong recommendations, qualitative data highlight concerns over overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure, and limited cultural engagement. These findings raise critical questions about the Loop’s long-term sustainability under mass tourism pressures.

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In Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Permitted