Vietnam – renowned 'dark tourism' destination worldwide

'Dark tourism' is a rising trend in the travel industry. Among the notable destinations of 'dark tourism', Vietnam boasts locations like the Cu Chi Tunnels, Vinh Moc Tunnels, or My Lai village.

Spine-chilling experiences not only attract tourists during Halloween. Now, a new trend in travel is increasingly drawing a large number of tourists, dubbed 'dark tourism' – places of visitation closely associated with horrifying historical events.

When thinking of a vacation, a leisure trip, previously, one wouldn't imagine setting foot in a place where nuclear disasters occurred, a house where gruesome murders took place, or an execution chamber...

For many, these locations are truly chilling; however, for others, it's an idea that propels them forward. The desire of travelers to seek out 'dark tourism' destinations is often to experience intense sensations – feelings you can't get by just strolling along the beach or lounging in a hotel.

There are various types of 'dark tourism' destinations, ranging from sites of natural disasters, historical tragedies, or horrifying incidents...

Famous 'dark tourism' destinations

In Vietnam, foreign tourists often know about historical landmarks such as the Cu Chi Tunnels, Vinh Moc Tunnels – two renowned tunnels associated with Vietnam's struggle for independence during the resistance war against the United States.

My Lai village in Son My commune, Son Tinh district, Quang Ngai province is also a famous 'dark tourism' destination. This place witnessed the horrifying My Lai massacre where hundreds of Vietnamese civilians, including women and children, were brutally slaughtered by American soldiers during the Vietnam War.

Internationally, some 'dark tourism' destinations associated with historical events include the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland, the killing fields in Cambodia, Ground Zero – the site of the attack with the twin towers of the United States...

Regarding chilling 'dark tourism' destinations, one can mention the house of notorious serial killer Dorothea Puente in the 1980s. Last month, the authorities of Redlands city, California, USA, began opening this house to visitors. Here, tourists will visit the garden where the murderer buried the victims.

In Germany, travel companies are also conducting tours to visit underground bunkers used during the war. Here, tourists will experience a 16-hour tour. When inside the bunkers, tourists will dress like soldiers. Tour guides will act as 'superiors' and are allowed to give orders to tourists.

In Latvia, Karosta prison also invites tourists to experience the feeling of being a prisoner for half a day. Before being led into the cell, tourists must sign a commitment, agreeing to be scolded, treated like a prisoner. If they don't 'obey' the guards, tourists may be forced to clean the cells.

Thus, 'dark tourism' can be considered a trend closely associated with thoughts, perceptions of death, disasters, or other unusual psychological factors, even horrors.

'Dark tourism' demands subtlety from tourists

Recently, the behavior of some tourists visiting 'dark tourism' sites has begun to provoke public outrage. American journalist Jason Feifer even created a blog dedicated to 'dark tourism', posting tasteless selfies of tourists.

Inappropriate actions, improper emotional displays of tourists still often occur at 'dark tourism' sites because not all of them know that behind the places they just stepped into are tragic stories.

Not all those who enjoy 'dark tourism' have enough knowledge, understanding to properly assess the stature as well as the cultural-historical significance of the places they visit.

Journalist Jason Feifer believes: “The majority of tourists come to these places simply out of curiosity. I often visit Ground Zero, where the twin towers attack occurred, every time I come here I see tourists comfortably taking selfies, laughing and joking. It's surreal. They just come there, satisfy their curiosity for a while, take photos to prove: 'I've been here' and then they don't know what to do next”.

Mark Watson, director of a company specializing in organizing 'dark tourism' tours, believes: “At historical sites like the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland or the Hiroshima Peace Memorial in Japan, if tourists truly understand the history, they will have the necessary sensitivity to know how to act, to not harm the local people”.

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Source: Mytour Travel Handbook  –  According to nguoiduatin.vn