Comparing Transformations of Traditional Beliefs of the S'tiengand Khmer People in Dong Nai Under the Impact of Cultural Tourism

Abstract; This study analyzes the transformation of traditional beliefs in two ethnic minority communities: the S’tieng and Khmer people, in Dong Nai province (after the merger of 01/7/2025) under the impact of cultural tourism. Using ethnographic methods combined with in-depth interviews of 87 individuals from both communities, participant observation over 05 months at 12 cultural tourism sites, the research reveals significant differences in the process of belief transformation. The S’tiengpeople demonstrate a tendency toward commercialization of traditional rituals while maintaining their core belief system, whereas the Khmer people undergo syncretism between Theravada Buddhism and tourism elements, creating hybrid belief forms. The study contributes to theories of cultural adaptation in the context of globalization and provides policy recommendations for sustainable tourism development that respects cultural identity.