Women’s Participation in Community-Based Tourism Development: Evidence from Thai Nguyen Province, Vietnam

Abstract

Women are key actors in community-based tourism (CBT), contributing to livelihoods, cultural preservation, and local development. However, their participation often remains concentrated in service and low-value activities, with limited involvement in governance and decision-making. This study examines women’s participation in CBT development in Thai Nguyen Province, Vietnam, using the perspectives of empowerment, human capital, social capital, and gender-responsive development. Based on 15 in-depth interviews, field observations, and document analysis, the study applies thematic analysis to identify major patterns of participation and constraint. The findings show that women are active in accommodation, local cuisine, handicrafts, cultural preservation, and small-scale tourism entrepreneurship, but remain underrepresented in strategic planning, community governance, and resource allocation. Five groups of factors shape their participation: economic conditions, socio-cultural norms, institutional support, human capital, and social capital. The study argues that empowerment is a key mechanism through which women’s participation can shift from functional involvement to substantive participation. It contributes an integrated framework linking resources, participation, empowerment, and sustainable CBT outcomes, while offering policy implications for gender-responsive tourism governance and inclusive community development.