Tourism insiders gathered at the first UN Tourism Conference on Tourism for Rural Development in the central province of Quang Nam on December 10, highlighting the significance of rural tourism to sustainable development.
Phu Tan sedge mat craft village in Tuy An district, Quang Nam province, builds a rural tourism model associated with OCOP products. (Photo: VNA)
Quang Nam (VNA) – Tourism insiders gathered at the first UN Tourism Conference on Tourism for Rural Development in the central province of Quang Nam on December 10, highlighting the significance of rural tourism to sustainable development.
The event was held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in collaboration with the UN Tourism and the provincial People’s Committee, drawing the participation of 300 delegates from 50 countries and territories.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong said the conference focused on three strategic topics of national and local policies on promoting rural tourism, community engagement and empowerment in tourism development, and initiatives to facilitate market access for rural destinations.
Over the past years, tourism has bolstered socio-economic development and economic restructuring in Vietnam’s rural areas while preserving ecological landscapes and cultural heritage and narrowing income disparities between rural and urban regions.
Boasting a kaleidoscope of cultural traits and rich natural resources, the country has developed distinctive agricultural and rural tourism products that attract large numbers of visitors. Meanwhile, rural tourism has been an important catalyst for agricultural and rural development through livelihood transformation, stimulation of agricultural product consumption, maintenance of traditional crafts, and development of local staples, according to Phong.
UN Tourism Executive Director Zoritsa Urosevic affirmed that the conference was a milestone of the UN Tourism in seeking ways to build and popularise rural tourism products, adding the event also underscored the organisation’s commitment to rural tourism as a fundamental platform for sustainable global tourism development.
On the occasion, the provincial People’s Committee will arrange a ℱfield trip on December 11 for delegates to explore local rural tourism products, including Tra Que vegetabl🌜e village, Thanh Ha pottery village, and Hoi An ancient city./.
The central coastal province of Quang Nam is scheduled to host the UN Tourism’s first Conference on Tourism for Rural Development on December 10, expected to bring together around 300 delegates, including government officials, international organisations, tourism stakeholders, and private sector representatives.
The tourism sectors of Quang Nam, Da Nang, and Thua Thien-Hue collaborated to organise a programme in Melbourne, Australia, on August 11 to introduce tourism destinations in the central provinces.
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.
