River tourism based on community participation and regional linkages for sustainable livelihoods: The case of Can Tho City, Vietnam

Abstract

This study examines the role of community-based river tourism and regional linkages in supporting sustainable livelihoods in Can Tho City, Vietnam. A convergent mixed-methods approach was employed, combining surveys of 385 tourists, 47 local households, and 18 tourism officials and community representatives with 36 semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), cluster analysis, and multiple regression, while qualitative data were integrated through thematic coding, triangulation, and SWOT analysis. The findings indicate that community-based river tourism contributes to livelihood diversification, income generation, skill development, and social capital formation. Participating households reported relatively high livelihood stability (mean = 3.87) and moderate government support (mean = 3.59), whereas regional linkage participation remained low (mean = 1.79). EFA results revealed a common factor linking government support, regional cooperation, and livelihood outcomes, with factor loadings ranging from −0.64 to −0.51. For tourism officials and community representatives, EFA identified two governance dimensions—regional coordination and community–enterprise synergy—which explained 84.83% of the total variance. Tourists reported high overall satisfaction (mean = 4.35), strong community interaction (mean = 4.61), positive perceptions of cultural preservation (mean = 3.71), and willingness to pay for tourism services (mean = 3.98). Regression analysis showed that cultural preservation perception was the only statistically significant predictor of tourist satisfaction (β = 0.146, p = 0.004). Open-ended responses highlighted key development priorities, including reducing crowding (29.6%), increasing the availability of tour guides (26.8%), enhancing cultural activities (23.9%), and extending tour duration (19.7%). Overall, sustainable livelihood outcomes depend not only on community participation but also on effective governance, cultural preservation, and stronger regional integration. The findings provide empirical evidence and practical implications for sustainable tourism planning in riverine destinations of the Mekong Delta.