Vietnam promotes smart tourism ecosystem to attract visitors
Localities in Vietnam have been taking actions to develop smart tourism ecosystem to attract visitors in the digital era.
Representatives from agencies are at the launching ceremony of the app "Sapa Tour" to promote tourism in resort town of Sa Pa in northern province of Lao Cai. (Photo: nhandan.vn)
Hanoi (VNA)♎ – Localities in Vietnam have been taking actions to develop smart tourism ecosystem to attract visitors in the digital era.
In Hanoi, tourist attractions like the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre, the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum, the National Museum of History, and the Hoa Lo prison historical relic site have organised many online exhibitions, and put in place e-ticket systems.
In Ho Chi Minh City, the 3D technology has been optimised to provide information and promote tourism, notably the smart interactive tourism map with virtual travel assistants at destinations.
Other localities such as Quang Ninh, Da Nang, and Ninh Binh have also stepped up the use of artificial intelligence (AI), 360-degree virtual reality technology (VR 360), and QR payment.
Many major seminars and discussions on smart tourism have been organised to raise the awareness of relevant agencies, departments, and sectors of smart tourism, and seek solutions to boost the segment.
Despite positive changes, experts, however, have expressed their concern over obstacles to smart tourism as most of the Vietnamese travel firms are small- and medium-sized, unable to invest much in technology due to their limited capital.
Online travel companies with international brands are dominating the domestic market. Meanwhile, only about 10 Vietnamese businesses are offering online services. Apart from the fierce competition, domestic firms are facing a host of difficulties like inharmonious information technology infrastructure, and the lack of experience and personnel.
Under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's project "Application of Industry 4.0’s technology to develop smart tourism, spreading tourism to become a key economic sector", Vietnam is striving to complete the smart tourism ecosystem to meet the increasing demand of the market.
The project is set to address shortcomings and create momentum for the country’s tourism to speed up and contribute to national modernisation./.
The Mekong Delta province of An Giang on March 23 officially launched its tourism information portal //checkinangiang.vn, and the corresponding mobile application checkinangiang.
The Hanoi Department of Tourism announced that it will focus on developing a digital mapping system for smart tourism in the city and digitalised data related to attractions and service facilities.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung has suggested optimizing digital technology to reform tourism management and business in the new context.
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.
