Purpose This paper aims to examine the factors affecting travelers’ decision to select more than one destination in their trips. Drawn from the rational choice theory, this study posits that the selection of multi-destination tours, as a rational choice, is determined by the travelers’ perception of costs and benefits associated with that choice. Design/methodology/approach The conceptual model was developed from both an exploratory research with in-depth interview and the literature. A logistic regression model linking four explanatory variables representing perceived benefits and costs of multi-destination option with travelers’ choice of multi-destination trips. The conceptual model is controlled for diversity of travel purposes; tour group size; type of travel arrangement and travelers’ demographic characteristics while the research context of multi-destination travel within Phu Yen – Dak Lak – Gia Lai – Binh Dinh helps control for the characteristics of the destination set (spatial proximity and traffic convenience). The conceptual model was tested based on data collected from 1,361 Vietnamese travelers who have ever visited at least one of the four provinces. Findings This study finds that perceived benefits in terms of diversifying tourism experiences and perceived costs of traveling in multiple places compared to taking single trips represent the most significant drivers for tourists’ selection of multi-destination tours. In addition, the diversity of travel purposes and tour group size have a positive and significant impact on the demand for traveling more than one destination in a trip. Moreover, the richer, older and married travelers have a significantly higher tendency to select multi-destination packages. Practical implications The research findings provide important strategic implications for promoting multi-destination trips, thereby, maximizing economic benefits from tourism. Originality/value While multi-destination travel patterns have been examined empirically in individual studies sporadically without a common theoretical background, this research makes some progress on this front by using the rational choice theory to connect the relative contributions of those factors to the travelers’ choice of multi-destination trips. Specifically, this study provides a new perspective in explaining the selection of multi-destination trips – from tourists’ perceptions about costs and benefits associated with that choice.

This paper concentrates on examining the impact of the credit boom (2007)(2008)(2009)(2010) on the soundness of the commercial banking system in Vietnam by using qualitative and quantitative methods. The results show that the credit boom in the period 2007-2010 had made Vietnam's banking system face many uncertainties such as difficulties in liquidity, increased non-performing loans... The influence of the credit boom on Vietnam's banking system is assessed on basic aspects such as asset quality, profitability, liquidity, capital adequacy... The quantitative analysis of the impact is made through the regression model using variables that show the characteristic of individual commercial bank and the volatility of the economy. The data is collected from 18 commercial banks in Vietnam in the period from 2005 to 2013, taken from the database BankScope and supplemented by information from the annual financial reports of the banks. Finally, in order to avoid the possibility of credit booms in the future and their effects on bank soundness in Vietnam, some recommendations related to credit growth are proposed for the authorities and the commercial banks.

This paper enlightens the main features of ASEAN Banking Integration Framework (ABIF) and the requirements for Qualified ASEAN Banks (QABs). Using Moody’s evaluation method and Bankscope database for banking systems in 7 ASEAN countries, the paper compares Vietnamese banking system with the rest of the region on asset quality, capital adequacy, profitability and liquidity aspects. The results show that Vietnamese banks are relatively low-developing, and will face fierce competition from foreign banks on their home market. Measuring the effects of integration appears essential for the regulators and banks in seeking appropriate and prompt solutions to these challenges and in seizing valuable opportunities to obtain sustainable and efficient development.