Abstract

Creative tourism has emerged as an innovative approach to cultural tourism development, particularly in traditional craft villages where local knowledge, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage are preserved. This study aims to analyze international experiences in developing creative tourism in traditional craft villages and to identify practical implications for the Phu Binh lantern craft village in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The research employs a qualitative approach based on literature review and comparative case analysis. International examples of creative tourism development in traditional craft villages in countries such as Japan, South Korea, China, and Italy are examined to identify key patterns and successful practices. The findings indicate that successful creative tourism models often integrate three main elements: participatory craft experiences for tourists, strong involvement of local artisans and communities, and the organization of cultural spaces and events that highlight traditional crafts. These elements not only enhance tourist engagement but also support heritage preservation and local economic development. Based on the international experiences analyzed, the study proposes several strategic directions for developing creative tourism in the Phu Binh lantern craft village, including experiential workshops, cultural events, and the development of a creative tourism space linked to the lantern-making tradition. This research contributes to the growing literature on creative tourism by providing a comparative perspective and offering practical insights for the sustainable development of traditional craft villages in rapidly urbanizing contexts such as Ho Chi Minh City.