Chapter 11: Dark Tourism in Vietnam: A Case Study of Hoa Lo Prison Relic

This chapter clarifies the “dark tourism” in Vietnam; a case study of Hoa Lo Prison Relic. Development orientation of “dark tourism” in Vietnam contributes to healing the wounds of war. The author mainly uses a system approach, method of analysis and synthesis, and method of comparison. “Dark tourism” in Vietnam has not really developed as a specific type of tourism like ecotourism or meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) tourism. At Hoa Lo Prison historical site, “dark tourism” has been effectively exploited: (1) in the first 6 months of 2023, Hoa Lo Prison welcomes nearly 295 thousand visitors, charging fees of 7 billion VND, the situation of “sold out” takes place regularly; (2) many unique tourism products, one of the successful and widespread tourism products must be mentioned the “night tour” experience; (3) many creative forms of sightseeing with automatic explanation system so that visitors can experience 35 historical stories in their own way; and (4) always create the best conditions for visitors’ sightseeing experience. To promote dark tourism in Vietnam, it is necessary to execute some schemes: (i) enhance the sense of responsibility for peaceful tourism in the operation of monuments; (ii) stakeholders coordinate the organization of the tour program and tourist routes with appropriate contents and forms for each target group, especially foreign tourists; (iii) there is cooperation between national and international experts in organizing the “dark tourism” program aimed at peace, preventing the risk of war and conflict, and overcoming the consequences of war; and (iv) application of scientific and technological achievements in “dark tourism” activities.