On December 19, 2024, The University of Danang – University of Science and Education (UD-UED) collaborated with the Management Board of the Cu Lao Cham-Hoi An World Biosphere Reserve and the Hoi An City Women's Union to organize a workshop on “The Role and Position of UD-UED, the Community, and Stakeholders in Building and Developing a Community-Based Tourism Program.”

Overview of the Workshop

This was an event within the framework of the project "Developing sustainable community livelihood models combined with ecotourism to promote socio-economic development and contribute to biodiversity and ecosystem conservation in the Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An World Biosphere Reserve".

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vo Van Minh – UD-UED Rector delivered the opening remark.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vo Van Minh – UD-UED Rector, to preserve and promote the sustainable values of the Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An Biosphere Reserve, alongside the roles of domestic and international organizations and localities, the community of residents plays a key role. They actively contribute to participating in the protection and preservation of natural resources and historical culture, while also benefiting from and spreading awareness with the involvement and support of intellectuals from universities where UD-UED has the strength to collaborate on building a program that combines tourism with community education.

Discussion session at the workshop

UD-UED leader hoped that this workshop would serve as a platform for stakeholders to identify challenges, suggest solutions, and provide ideas for developing community-based tourism linked to education for sustainable development.

According to local representatives, with the support of domestic and international organizations, especially the UNDP development program for Hoi An in general and the Cu Lao Cham in particular, the active participation and demonstration of social responsibility of  UD-UED will create motivation, connect multidisciplinary knowledge, and form projects and programs for sustainable development to effectively leverage the natural and socio-cultural values of the Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An Biosphere Reserve.

UD-UED leader presented souvenirs to local partners.

During the workshop, the delegates listened to presentations and discussions focused on key topics such as: (1) The process of building and developing community-based educational tourism; (2) Results and future directions, and solutions for connecting community tourism in the Biosphere Reserve with regional tourism networks; (3) The role of universities in creating community education models, initial results, lessons, orientations, policies, and human resource development; (4) The local community's sharing of experiences with students during internships, tours, and activities contributes to the development of community-based education tourism programs.

​Collaborative Development of the Tourism Program Combined with Community Education

The workshop proposed to clarify the roles and contributions of the relevant stakeholders, particularly educational institutions like UD-DUE, which plays a key role in developing an education program that aligns with local realities; introducing scientists, experts, and lecturers to participate; organizing seminars and workshops to share knowledge and refine the program…

Contributing to the preservation and promotion of sustainable natural and cultural values at the Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An Biosphere Reserve.

The Management Board of the Biosphere Reserve, along with local authorities, facilitates opportunities for lecturers and students to visit, practice, and understand the reality; provide data, research needs, and education; and coordinate the implementation of activities and share knowledge, information about tourism, and local cultural identity with the community and students.

Tourism service units are actively connecting and developing new products to serve the community, promoting and enhancing service quality to create momentum for developing tourism models combined with education in the Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An World Biosphere Reserve.