Visiting Indochina, the imaginary of the French colonial period in today's touristic Việt Nam - HAL-SHS - Sciences de l'Homme et de la Société
Article Dans Une Revue Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change Année : 2011

Visiting Indochina, the imaginary of the French colonial period in today's touristic Việt Nam

Emmanuelle Peyvel
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Résumé

This paper aims to examine the multiplicity of articulations existing between the imaginary, the production and the consumption of touristic places in a post-colonial context. Using the approach of cultural geography, I want to study the role of the French colonial period (1887-1954) in the construction of Việt Nam as a touristic destination. Within that specific context, interconnection of times and spaces contributes in building a new type of otherness. Indeed, touristic spots serve a past that is over, but revived by tourists as a source of exoticism. The French colonial imaginary influences touristic places in four different ways, ranging from the choice of Việt Nam as a destination to the touristic spots themselves. Firstly, it specifies this destination, as if Việt Nam, in its status of former French colony, kept a specific link with Fr ance and Europe. Secondly, it creates specific touristic places, like Sa Đéc, the town of Marguerite Duras' childhood. Thirdly, it complexifies the reading grid of pre-existing touristic places, like in the former colonial centre of main towns. Finally, it influences the ordering of domestic places, like some high-standard hotels, giving them the atmosphere of the "Colonial Chic". In all cases, the colonial imaginary serves as scenery for stories built by tourists in order to give a meaning to their travels. These travels are both through time and space, and it is precisely in that flashback that the pleasure lies.
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Dates et versions

halshs-00971740 , version 1 (03-04-2014)

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  • HAL Id : halshs-00971740 , version 1

Citer

Emmanuelle Peyvel. Visiting Indochina, the imaginary of the French colonial period in today's touristic Việt Nam. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 2011, Vol. 9 (n° 3), pp. 217-227. ⟨halshs-00971740⟩
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