FLOATING MARKETS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF FLOATING MARKET TOURISM IN CAN THO CITY, VIETNAM

Abstract

This thesis is first to study the development of floating market tourism in Can Tho city, Vietnam. Secondly it tries to clarify the limitations in development process of Can Tho city’s floating market tourism. Finally, it will evaluate the satisfaction of visitors and analyze the main factors affecting the satisfaction of floating market tourism in Can Tho city. Qualitative and quantitative approaches are used in this thesis, namely documentary research, in-depth interview with government officers, tourism companies, expert, stallholders and local people and 150 questionnaires were collected from tourists in Cai Rang and Phong Dien floating markets in Can Tho city. Findings show that factors significantly affect tourists’ satisfaction of floating markets in Can Tho city are accommodation, infrastructure, tour guide, natural environment and provided-services, security, and the price of goods and services. The research finds that the city is facing a number of difficulties in promoting and developing floating market tourism. For instance, the infrastructure and material basis serving tourism is not complete; tourism products are not really diverse and attractive; there is no local community’s participation; and the management of the local government and tourism promotion are not really effective. It is revealed the sustainable development of tourism requires contribution from all stakeholders such as local government, business sectors, traders, local people and tourists.