Vietnam Enhances Smart Tourism for International Competitiveness

Under the country’s 2026–2030 digital economy and digital society development programme, the tourism sector has been identified as one of the priority ones for accelerating digital transformation to improve governance efficiency, service quality, and visitor experiences. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has proposed a national tourism data ecosystem based on a "1+34+N" model to ensure data is accurate, complete, clean, up-to-date, standardised and shared. In recent years, digital transformation has become a common feature in socio-economic development strategies. For tourism – a multi-sector, experience-driven industry closely tied to information – digitalisation is no longer a trend but an inevitable requirement to enhance competitiveness and ensure sustainable development. A recent report from Agoda has revealed that Vietnam has been ranked among the top spots as the most-searched Asian destinations by European travellers, showcasing a surge in interest among global tourists. The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho and Jeonbuk province of the Republic of Korea are stepping up tourism cooperation by strengthening business links, developing tourism products and building tours and travel routes between the two localities. Ho Chi Minh City is shifting from viewing tourism as a standalone industry to treating it as an integrated ecosystem built on regional advantages and cultural identity. By choosing to walk, cycle or use double-decker buses and metro systems in major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, travellers can reduce their carbon footprint while experiencing the authentic rhythm of urban life. In her speech, Minister Counsellor at the Embassy of Vietnam in Thailand Hoang Diem Hanh welcomed Can Tho's decision to choose Thailand for its tourism promotion programme, saying it offered an opportunity not only to introduce the city's attractions but also to exchange experience in developing tourism linked to preserving traditional cultural values. Ninh Binh has emerged as one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing tourism destinations. In the first seven months this year, the locality welcomed an estimated 18.7 million visitors, up 23.34% year-on-year, including more than 16.7 million domestic and over 2 million international arrivals. Recently named by Expedia among the "10 Best Islands to Visit in 2026" for offering premium holidays at reasonable prices, Phu Quoc is far from being just a dry season destination. Even during the rainy months, Pearl Island offers enough experiences to fill every hour of the day, with short tropical showers rarely disrupting the journey. As the second Maison Kayser bakery in Vietnam, opened through the exclusive partnership between Sun Group and Maison Kayser, Eric Kayser at Sun World Ba Na Hills is far more than simply another bakery. It is the missing piece that turns the dream of "a little corner of Paris in Da Nang" into reality. Rapid technological advances and growing concerns over climate change are changing travel demand, with tourists increasingly seeking seamless digital experiences and environmentally responsible destinations. As a result, digital transformation and green transition have been identified as inevitable trends and key strategic pillars for driving the rapid and sustainable development of Vietnam's tourism industry. The country has achieved about 56% of this year's target of 25 million foreign arrivals. According to the online travel platform Booking.com, 85% of Vietnamese travellers consider sustainable travel a priority, while the same proportion want their trips to leave a positive impact on destinations. The new direct routes will not only shorten travel times between Vietnam and Sri Lanka but also provide fresh impetus for cooperation in tourism, trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges, helping to deepen the longstanding bilateral friendship in a more substantive and comprehensive manner. While Phu Quoc was once primarily known for its turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and beachfront resorts, the island is now attracting visitors with a full-day journey of experiences stretching from morning until night, rather than simply offering a traditional beach holiday. With its rich culinary diversity, distinctive flavours and affordable prices, Hanoi's street food has long been one of the capital's signature tourism products, helping promote its image and attract an increasing number of international visitors. Between January and July, Hanoi welcomed approximately 5.31 million international visitors, an increase of 25% compared to the same period in 2025, while the domestic tourist number reached 15.85 million, up 11.9%. Vu The Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA), said provinces should strengthen regional cooperation by developing integrated tourism routes linking Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Ninh Binh and neighbouring localities such as Hung Yen and Bac Ninh. Such cooperation would create complementary tourism products instead of isolated competition. With advantages such as scenic landscapes, increasingly developed infrastructure and the capacity to host large-scale events, Vietnam is well-positioned to develop wedding tourism into a specialised product, helping to attract high-spending visitors and enhance the destination's competitiveness, an official has said. Hanoi has long been known for the heritage cachet of a thousand-year-old capital. Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter, the Temple of Literature, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel and a network of craft villages have given the city a singular pull. According to the municipal Department of Tourism, the city welcomed more than 7.1 million international visitors from January to July, up 42.7% year-on-year, while domestic tourists reached 31.6 million. Tourism revenue surged 55.3% to nearly 237.5 trillion VND (9.01 billion USD), achieving 72% of this year's target. The Hudson Rooms, the rooftop bar perched atop Capella Hanoi, has been ranked No. 46 in Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026. It marks the first time a bar in Hanoi has entered Asia's Top 50, making Vietnam one of the few countries represented in this highly respected ranking. This year, only two Vietnamese bars secured a place in the Top 50. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.