Factors shaping local residents’ participation in sustainable tourism: a case study in Vietnam

Abstract This study investigates the factors influencing local residents' attitudes and behaviors toward sustainable tourism participation, using an integrated theoretical framework that combines the Triple Bottom Line (TBL), Social Exchange Theory (SET), and Value-Attitude-Behavior (VAB) model...

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Main Authors: Vu Thi Hong Phuong, Bui Thi Quynh Trang, Nguyen Le Dinh Quy, Do Hong Quyen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-08-01
Series:Discover Sustainability
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01687-8
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author Vu Thi Hong Phuong
Bui Thi Quynh Trang
Nguyen Le Dinh Quy
Do Hong Quyen
author_facet Vu Thi Hong Phuong
Bui Thi Quynh Trang
Nguyen Le Dinh Quy
Do Hong Quyen
author_sort Vu Thi Hong Phuong
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study investigates the factors influencing local residents' attitudes and behaviors toward sustainable tourism participation, using an integrated theoretical framework that combines the Triple Bottom Line (TBL), Social Exchange Theory (SET), and Value-Attitude-Behavior (VAB) models. The TBL framework assesses sustainability across economic, social, and environmental dimensions, SET highlights the importance of perceived benefits in shaping community support, and VAB explores how values and attitudes translate into behavior. With this integration, the study filled the gap of previous research by examining the quality of life variable in two single-mediating and chain-mediating relationships between local residents' participation attitudes and participation behaviors in sustainable tourism development. Based on these foundations, a conceptual model was developed and tested through a survey of 574 residents in Northern Vietnam—specifically in Lao Cai, Ninh Binh, and Quang Ninh, regions known for community-based tourism. Data were analyzed using SmartPLS to assess the reliability and validity of the structural equation model. Findings reveal that residents’ perceptions of economic, social-cultural, and environmental benefits significantly influence their quality of life, which in turn affects both their attitudes and behaviors toward participation in sustainable tourism development. Moreover, quality of life and participatory attitudes serve as both individual and sequential mediators in these relationships. The study contributes to the theoretical discourse by demonstrating the combined application of TBL, SET, and VAB frameworks, and point out practical implications for tourism management agencies in focusing on solutions to create jobs, ensure sustainable livelihoods for residents, create open mechanisms; have policies to support and foster knowledge and skills to serve tourists; support the promotion of community tourism products to encourage and attract residents to participate in sustainable tourism development.
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spelling doaj-art-5b0fa143d5bd44589ce3e99c8ea588342025-08-20T03:04:07ZengSpringerDiscover Sustainability2662-99842025-08-016111910.1007/s43621-025-01687-8Factors shaping local residents’ participation in sustainable tourism: a case study in VietnamVu Thi Hong Phuong0Bui Thi Quynh Trang1Nguyen Le Dinh Quy2Do Hong Quyen3Faculty of Economics, Thuongmai UniversityFaculty of Hospitality– Tourism, Thuongmai UniversityVNU University of Social Sciences and HumanitiesFaculty of Law, Thuongmai UniversityAbstract This study investigates the factors influencing local residents' attitudes and behaviors toward sustainable tourism participation, using an integrated theoretical framework that combines the Triple Bottom Line (TBL), Social Exchange Theory (SET), and Value-Attitude-Behavior (VAB) models. The TBL framework assesses sustainability across economic, social, and environmental dimensions, SET highlights the importance of perceived benefits in shaping community support, and VAB explores how values and attitudes translate into behavior. With this integration, the study filled the gap of previous research by examining the quality of life variable in two single-mediating and chain-mediating relationships between local residents' participation attitudes and participation behaviors in sustainable tourism development. Based on these foundations, a conceptual model was developed and tested through a survey of 574 residents in Northern Vietnam—specifically in Lao Cai, Ninh Binh, and Quang Ninh, regions known for community-based tourism. Data were analyzed using SmartPLS to assess the reliability and validity of the structural equation model. Findings reveal that residents’ perceptions of economic, social-cultural, and environmental benefits significantly influence their quality of life, which in turn affects both their attitudes and behaviors toward participation in sustainable tourism development. Moreover, quality of life and participatory attitudes serve as both individual and sequential mediators in these relationships. The study contributes to the theoretical discourse by demonstrating the combined application of TBL, SET, and VAB frameworks, and point out practical implications for tourism management agencies in focusing on solutions to create jobs, ensure sustainable livelihoods for residents, create open mechanisms; have policies to support and foster knowledge and skills to serve tourists; support the promotion of community tourism products to encourage and attract residents to participate in sustainable tourism development.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01687-8Perceived benefitsQuality of lifeTourism behaviorsSustainable tourism
spellingShingle Vu Thi Hong Phuong
Bui Thi Quynh Trang
Nguyen Le Dinh Quy
Do Hong Quyen
Factors shaping local residents’ participation in sustainable tourism: a case study in Vietnam
Discover Sustainability
Perceived benefits
Quality of life
Tourism behaviors
Sustainable tourism
title Factors shaping local residents’ participation in sustainable tourism: a case study in Vietnam
title_full Factors shaping local residents’ participation in sustainable tourism: a case study in Vietnam
title_fullStr Factors shaping local residents’ participation in sustainable tourism: a case study in Vietnam
title_full_unstemmed Factors shaping local residents’ participation in sustainable tourism: a case study in Vietnam
title_short Factors shaping local residents’ participation in sustainable tourism: a case study in Vietnam
title_sort factors shaping local residents participation in sustainable tourism a case study in vietnam
topic Perceived benefits
Quality of life
Tourism behaviors
Sustainable tourism
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01687-8
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AT nguyenledinhquy factorsshapinglocalresidentsparticipationinsustainabletourismacasestudyinvietnam
AT dohongquyen factorsshapinglocalresidentsparticipationinsustainabletourismacasestudyinvietnam