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ACTION ON CBT

our story

Our journey with tourism began in 2014, when members of Action on Poverty toured Dr. Vance Gledhill through rural areas of Hoa Binh Province. At that time, Action on Poverty, an Australian NGO, had worked in Vietnam for more than 20 years, and helped thousands of people through programs in health and social issues, food security, and income generation.

From the start

Dr. Gledhill, a retired academic and computer scientist, travelled Hoa Binh through areas of stark beauty and stark poverty. He passed jungled slopes, misty peaks, and cascading rice terraces. He visited communities displaced from their homelands, where many villagers could not read, and entire communities depended on agriculture to survive.

Finding a solution

Surveying the situation, Dr. Gledhill had an idea. He suggested partnering with the villages to develop tourism as a way to increase income. Dr. Gledhill generously invested his time, money, and effort together with Action on Poverty to design a long-term plan that would make the vision of community-based tourism a reality in Hoa Binh.

The first guests

In 2015 the first homestays opened their doors to travellers in Hoa Binh’s Da Bac District. Soon, local hosts were welcoming a stream of travellers from Vietnam and around the world. The project drew recognition and support from the government, and new donors joined the mission to expand tourism to other impoverished areas.

2014

Introduced tourism in Da Bac as livelihood program

2017

Established social enterprise to support CBT activities

2018

Refined homestay model and replicated for 11 villages

2021

Developed product approach and village stay model

2023

Piloted new village stay model in project sites

Expansion and growth

With sponsorship from Australian, Irish, and United States governments, as well as donations from individuals and enterprises, from 2015 to 2020 we expanded community-based tourism to 25 villages in seven provinces. In 2017, Action on Poverty established a social enterprise to link villages to tour operators, improve product development, and ensure equal sharing of tourism benefits.

A new approach

In 2018, Action on CBT worked with villages and its partners to refine its approach and create an even more inclusive, sustainable, and viable tourism model. The new model, which debuted in Ke and Da Bia Villages in Hoa Binh, quickly received provincial, national, and regional awards for its effectiveness.

The journey continues

By 2023, programs led by Action on Poverty had generated 30 billion VND (1.9 million AUD) in income for rural communities and some 960 participants who joined the programs, 60% of whom were ethnic minority women. In each village, a portion of the profits was used for community projects such as water sanitation and road building.

Today, Action on CBT is working to implement its model in more villages in Vietnam. Dr. Gledhill’s original idea has grown to benefit thousands of lives. Borne from experience, Action on CBT’s tourism model offers a timely solution to problems of poverty, cultural preservation, and environmental conservation in rural areas.

VISION

For all people to transcend the injustice, indignity and inequality of entrenched poverty.

MISSION

To connect communities, enterprises, and experts with shared values for the development of exemplary community-based tourism destinations.

then and now

Over the years we’ve adapted our approach and model to better address the real needs of rural communities striving to use tourism as a tool for growth.

previous approach

Homestay model

Developed and increased income on a household level for homestays without common resource management and engagement of all stakeholders, indirectly promoting competition.

Project approach

Focused on delivering project scope and production within a limited budget and timeframe, leaving villages with little support when the project ends.

Hardware first

Initial investment used for infrastructure with emphasis on villages as places to stay, giving individuals who follow the project model ownership of the service and decision-making.

current approach

Village stay model

Develop concept and master plans for entire village based on common assets and resources, considering roles of all stakeholders and creating income through diverse services.

Product approach

Focus on delivering value to customers with results measured in community satisfaction and market metrics, allowing teams to adapt to opportunities within natural product lifecycle.

Software first

Initial investment is used to build a self-governance mechanism for shared decision-making and implementation, with emphasis on village experiences for varied markets.

Community-based tourism is not to partner with the community for tourism development, but to manage tourism resources responsibly and sustainably for community development.

Ta Van Tuan - Country Director of AOP in Vietnam

our donors

We are proud to bring tangible development and change in communities through the support and sponsorship of our generous donors from around the globe.