Whether tourism has been a culprit in commodifying cultures and traditions

Tourism has been a culprit in commodifying cultures and traditions of Vietnam to a certain extent. Being a developing country, Vietnam’s government open its doors to tourism because tourism brings in foreign exchange revenues which will help to improve the locals’ income and its economy. Tourists’ attraction such as the Suoi Tien Theme Park was set up so as to cater to the tourists’ needs. Because of the influx of tourist arrivals, locals are all eager to earn tourist dollars and thus Vietnamese culture is sold to them in the context of cultural performances, traditional handicrafts and musical performances, because the locals know that tourists will be interested in their cultures and traditions. Therefore, these unique cultural performances are then staged specifically and mass-sell to the tourist and thus no longer has its soul in it.