Forum promotes digital transformation in tourism industry amid COVID-19
The Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA) in conjunction with the Vietnam E-Commerce Association (VECOM) on September 30 organised an online forum on digital transformation to promote Vietnam's tourism development in the context of global COVID-19 outbreak.
Hanoi (VNA) –The Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA) in conjunction with the VietnamE-Commerce Association (VECOM) on September 30 organised an online forum on digital transformation to promote Vietnam's tourism development in the context of global COVID-19 outbreak.
The event offered a good chance for travel agencies to approach the theory andpractice of applying new technologies in tourism business, especially gettingmore information on technologies supplied by leading technology corporationsin the world such as Google, Booking.com, and Facebook.
Addressing the forum, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen VanHung said the event is an important solution to help restoreand promote the country's tourism development sustainably, adding that digitaltransformation is an inevitable development trend of tourism and it needs to beaccelerated after heavy impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to VITA Vice Chairman Vu TheBinh, international visitors to Vietnam in 2020is likely to decrease by at least 70 percent compared to 2019, while the numberof domestic visitors will be reduced by 50 percent, and the revenue fromtourism activities will fall over 61 percent.
This extremely difficult situation requires tourism businesses to adjust theirstrategies to quickly recover and gain growth again when the pandemic is undercontrol, he said, adding that comprehensive digital transformation is partof these strategies.
Through digital transformation, travelagencies can reach more travellers, provide better care to customers, reducecosts and increase business efficiency, he said.
Digital transformation is an inevitable trend which helps businesses improvetheir competitiveness, he added.
Participants to the eventwere updated on demand, trends and digital transformation capability.
In the framework of the forum, a showroom of technological products was arranged for a number oftechnology businesses to introduce their products.
VITA has planned to organise other events to help Vietnamese tourism firms access new technological solutionstowards recovering and further promoting their business amid the COVID-19pandemic./.
Vietnamese firms regardless of their scale need to get up to speed on digital transformation to enable them to further penetrate global markets, a webinar heard on August 26.
The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Business Associations (HUBA) on September 24 launched a digital transformation programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to help improve their competitiveness.
Vietnam will focus on solutions to spur growth towards sustainability amidst the impact of COVID-19 during the 2021-2025 period, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said on September 29.
Officials of the central city of Da Nang held a working session with executives of telecom group FPT on September 29 to outline plans for bilateral cooperation in the time ahead.
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.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
