Hanoi is leveraging its unique advantages to promote creative tourism, a concept that encourages sustainable travel while preserving the city’s rich cultural heritage.
According to Dr. Phung Thi Hang, a lecturer at the Faculty of Tourism under the National University of Economics, the idea of “creative tourism” was first introduced over 30 years ago.
As defined by UNESCO, creative tourism involves the direct experience and learning of the art, heritage, and unique characteristics of a destination. It facilitates interactions between visitors and locals, creating a vibrant and immersive cultural exchange.
Hang emphasizes that creative tourism goes beyond experiential tourism. It involves the active participation of both tourists and locals in co-creating value, sharing knowledge, and exchanging creative skills. This process is based on the exploration and appreciation of the destination’s distinct attributes.
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The “Vietnamese Village Tet” celebration in Hanoi’s Duong Lam Village offers foreigners a chance to try their hand at making traditional banh chung and gio. Photo: Hanoimoi td> |
By engaging in creative tourism activities, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of Hanoi’s local customs, art, and culture. They become temporary members of the community, living and creating alongside the locals, rather than merely observing from a distance.
“Creative tourism fosters connections and interactions between tourists and the local environment, culture, and people,” Hang said. “It provides an opportunity for tourists to immerse themselves in the traditions, lifestyles, customs, and local arts, encouraging them to participate in the creation and exchange of knowledge and cultural practices.”
Additionally, Hang highlighted the importance of cross-cultural interactions between tourists and locals in preserving traditional cultural values and fostering the creation of new artistic expressions.
Hanoi, as Vietnam’s first city to join UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network, has showcased its commitment to creative tourism through initiatives like the Hanoi Creative Design Festival. The festival, now in its fourth iteration, has left a lasting impression on visitors and locals alike.
“During the 2024 festival, we witnessed a remarkable collaboration between travel companies, heritage sites, local authorities, and the city’s Department of Culture,” Hang noted. “Together, they crafted new heritage discovery tours, evoking special emotions and memories for participants.”
More recently, Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Lake Walking Street became a cultural melting pot as locals and tourists united to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Vietnamese People’s Army. The event, filled with songs of peace and independence, saw foreigners dancing and chanting “Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh,” a testament to the street’s growing cultural significance.
On the city’s outskirts, Duong Lam Ancient Village in Son Tay Town continues to solidify its reputation as a must-visit destination. Its Doai Creative Cultural Space and the annual Vietnamese Village Tet program attract ambassadors and expatriates, offering a unique cultural experience.
In Ung Hoa District, Quang Phu Cau Incense Village has also gained international recognition. Its creative arrangement of incense sticks in the shape of a map of Vietnam has gone viral, sparking curiosity among tourists worldwide.
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Quang Phu Cau Incense Village in Hanoi has captured the attention of international tourists through its innovative approach to creative tourism. Photo: Le Giang/The Hanoi Times |
“These tourism offerings are a testament to community creativity,” Hang told The Hanoi Times. “They showcase how locals have harnessed the value of their cultural heritage to craft unique and engaging experiences for visitors.”
Hang further highlighted the role of technology in co-creating sustainable tourism. She explained how tourists’ use of technology to research, learn, and share their experiences has become an integral part of destination marketing. This synergy between people and technology contributes to the development of a vibrant and sustainable tourism industry.
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