Transforming Cultural Capital into Sustainable Economic Resources: The Mae Kampong Village Model (Thailand) and Implications for Vietnam

Abstract

This study analyzes the community-based tourism (CBT) model of Mae Kampong Village in Thailand, a recognized success story in the region. Employing a case study approach
combined with comparative analysis, the research identifies three key pillars of this model: (i) The commercialization of indigenous knowledge through experiential activities; (ii) Community governance via autonomous cooperative institutions; and (iii) The balance between authentic preservation and economic utilization. The study's contributions include: developing an analytical framework for “cultural capital valorization mechanisms” integrating the theories of Bourdieu and Throsby; providing comparative empirical evidence between Thailand and current practices in Vietnam; and proposing three feasible policy implications aimed at transforming the community's role from “passive participants” to “development actors” within national tourism strategies.