The study focused on identifying models and analyzing the impact of social capital on the quality of life and behavior of the local population in sustainable community-based tourism development. Based on the literature review and analysis of secondary data, the study selected an integrated approach of social capital theory (Putnam, 1993) and social exchange theory (Emerson, 1976) and value - Belief - Norm theory (Stern et al., 1999) to identify 2 relationships including; (1) The impact of Social Norms, Social Networks, Trust and Reciprocity on the quality of life of local people and (2) the relationship between quality of life and local people’s participation in sustainable community tourism development. A sample questionnaire was designed using a 5-point Likert scale. The study collected and analyzed data from 287 residents involved in business and community tourism development in Ninh Binh, Vietnam - a regional integrated tourism center, offering a diverse range of cultural, spiritual, ecological, and high-end resort tourism. The collected data is cleaned and analyzed by SmartPLS software to assess the suitability, reliability, and SEM structure model. The research results have confirmed the relationship between the positive influence of social capital on the quality of life and the behavior of participating in sustainable community tourism development of the population. These results provide critical insights for policymakers in fostering community engagement and sustainable tourism development in emerging economies.