The Mekong Innovative Startup Tourism (MIST) Initiative has announced two new accelerators designed to make it easier for innovative tourism businesses to be established in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
Foreign visitors visit Cai Rang floating market in the Mekong River Delta province of Can Tho (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The Mekong Innovative Startup Tourism(MIST) Initiative has announced two new accelerators designed to make iteasier for innovative tourism businesses to be established in Cambodia, Laos,Myanmar and Vietnam.
The MIST Startup Accelerator will take entriesfrom early stage companies with either travel technology or traditional tourismbusiness plans. Meanwhile, the MIST Market Access Accelerator is welcomingapplications from mature international tourism startups needing assistanceentering the region.
Both accelerators will receive applicationsuntil March 19.
Dominic Mellor, senior Asian Development Bankeconomist and head of the Mekong Business Initiative said the MIST acceleratorprogrammes would create jobs, help local communities and supportentrepreneurship.
Applicants must demonstrate how they will createjobs, generate positive community impacts and contribute to sustainable tourismgrowth in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar or Vietnam.
Those accepted into the MIST Startup Accelerator will attend boot camps todevelop their business plans. The top business plans for each country will wingrants, with the best overall receiving 10,000 USD and the three runners-upreceiving 7,000 USD each.
Participants in both MIST accelerators willpitch their plans to investors, global acceleration programmes, and tourismleaders at the Mekong Tourism Forum, which will be held in Luang Prabang, Laos,and at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Vietnam’s central city of Da Nang inNovember.
“The Great Mekong sub-region is among thefastest growing tourism destinations on Earth. Startups can disrupttraditional practices to adapt to changing consumer behaviours, but let’salso encourage responsible innovation that enhances the region’s appeal forfuture generations,” Jens Thraenhart, executive director of the Mekong TourismCoordinating Office, said.
MIST is a joint venture of the Mekong TourismCoordinating Office and the Mekong Business Initiative. It receives regionalfunding, advisory and technical support from the Asian Development Bank,Australia, Amadeus Next, the Pacific Asia Travel Association and VillageCapital.-VNA
The Mekong Initiative for Startup Tourism (MIST) has been launched in HCM City to boost investment and innovation in the tourism sector in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and 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.
Foreign visitors visit Cai Rang floating market in the Mekong River Delta province of Can Tho (Photo: VNA)
