Ecotourism a boon for southeastern region post-pandemic
As tourism has borne the brunt of disruptions caused by COVID-19, ecotourism and resort tourism in southeastern localities are being viewed as priorities to trigger a prompt recovery and sustainable development in the sector.
HCM City (VNA) - As tourism has borne the brunt of disruptionscaused by COVID-19, ecotourism and resort tourism in southeastern localities arebeing viewed as priorities to trigger a prompt recovery and sustainabledevelopment in the sector.
The strategy and master plan on Vietnam’s tourism development in 2020and vision to 2030 stipulates that the Southeast is among seven regions with animportant role in regards to the sector, adding that sea- and forest-based ecotourismcombined with cultural and historical values are the region’s prominentproducts.
The southeastern region boasts a tropical equatorial climate with highand almost unchanged temperature all the year round, and is endowed with bigrivers, lakes and diverse forest ecologies along with 180 km of coast lines, whichexperts say are great advantages in tourism.
Of note, HCM City boasts strengths in ecotourism, primarily withdestinations on its outskirts, raising its competitiveness even among majortourism centres in the region and the world. An official of the city’s TourismDepartment said the city’s latest tourism promotion programme has focused onlocal destinations in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Dong Nai province has invested in improving the quality oflocal destinations. It is noteworthy that orchard tours have gained popularity,with Long Khanh city serving around 4,000-5,000 tourists each weekend.
Before COVID-19 broke out, southern localities welcomed 50 millionholidaymakers each year on average, which was still below its potential,experts noted.
Concerted and appropriate measures are greatly needed to fully tap intothe strengths of each locality and the region as a whole.
Southern localities are advised to further conserve resources at ecotourismsites and apply scientific and technological achievements in the endeavour.
Communications should be bolstered to raise public awareness,especially among local residents.
Localities in the region have been working to build regionally-linked toursthat showcase their outstanding destinations and products./.
Huynh Quang Hung, Chairman of the Phu Quoc City People’s Committee, talks to the Vietnam News Agency on the establishment of Phu Quoc city – the country’s first island city.
A draft master plan for the Mekong Delta for 2021-2030 and vision to 2050, recently released to collect public feedback, views climate change as not only a challenge but also an opportunity for local development.
Tram Chim National Park in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap is home to hundreds of vertebrate species, dozens of fish species and more than 198 species of water birds, accounting for about a quarter of all bird species in Vietnam.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
Visitors at Can Gio ecotourism site (Photo: VNA) 
