Adaptability of tourism sector workforce: A descriptive survey study in a Vietnamese province

Tourism significantly contributes to the economy and addresses employment demands across various labor segments in a country. However, it is also highly vulnerable to external factors such as natural disasters and epidemics, which directly impact the livelihoods of tourism sector workers. Vietnam is no exception. Its tourism workers are susceptible to socioeconomical changes, especially after the pandemic. Factors such as natural disasters, pandemics, and socio-economic fluctuations directly affect their livelihoods and adaptability. An Giang province, located in the southern region of Vietnam, mirrors this national trend. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism sector in this region was severely disrupted, resulting in significant job losses and reduced incomes for many workers. This study aims to investigate the adaptability of tourism employment and key factors affecting workforce adaptability in response to economic fluctuations and industry challenges in a southern region in Vietnam. Employing a descriptive survey design, this study recruited 528 participants from An Giang province, using a stratified sampling method. The participants were quantitatively surveyed one-on-one. The findings reveal that employment in the tourism sector, such as restaurants, travel agencies, and accommodations, increased postpandemic, while their average monthly incomes dropped sharply. Workers found it challenging to adapt to the changes and were influenced by such factors as savings, income, educational background, and work experience. Although this study is limited in its research scope and employs only quantitative survey method, it provides insights into tourism workforce adapatability and resilience at the provincial level in Vietnam and informs future policy development to strengthen adaptive capacity and secure sustainable livelihoods for tourism workers. It can also be compared to the broader trends in economic resilience, employment dynamics, and adaptability of tourism workers in the country.