Hanoi, February 1, 2025 – The Europe Today: Vietnam’s tourism sector leadership has expressed optimism that digital transformation will serve as a catalyst for double-digit growth in the nation’s tourism industry, marking a new era of economic expansion.
With the increasing reliance on digital platforms, websites, and social media, tourists are now able to explore destinations, book accommodations, and access various services more conveniently. Digital technology has revolutionized tourism promotion, making it more creative, far-reaching, and accessible.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Hồ An Phong emphasized that digital transformation is crucial for rapid and sustainable tourism development. By leveraging online platforms, the tourism sector can better understand customer needs and enhance service quality to improve visitor satisfaction.
Recognizing the importance of digitalization, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has established a legal framework and implemented initiatives such as a national tourism database and the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies to develop smart tourism. These measures aim to position tourism as a leading economic sector.
In 2024, the ministry has prioritized the development of a synchronized smart tourism ecosystem to support state management, business operations, and visitor experiences. This includes creating national standards for digital platforms in tourism management, setting metrics for evaluating smart destinations, and conducting training programs to accelerate digital transformation.
Director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism’s Tourism Information Centre, Hoàng Quốc Hòa, highlighted efforts to establish a smart tourism ecosystem that integrates state management, business operations, and visitor engagement through digital solutions.
Key initiatives include the development of a comprehensive tourism database covering travel agencies, accommodations, tour guides, and destinations. Additionally, a software system for reporting tourism statistics across different administrative levels is being implemented.
The national tourism application, “Vietnam Travel,” has been launched, offering travel information, digital maps, ticket bookings, and hotel reservations, significantly enhancing the tourist experience while promoting Vietnam’s attractions.
Further projects such as the online exhibition “Vibrant Vietnam” on Google Arts & Culture and “Wonders of Vietnam” showcase the nation’s culture, art, and heritage, attracting global attention. The latter features 35 online exhibitions and over 1,300 images of iconic tourist spots, UNESCO-recognized heritage sites, and local cuisine.
Singaporean media have acknowledged Vietnam’s progress in fostering a conducive digital ecosystem for tourism. With abundant natural resources, cultural heritage, and digital advancements, Vietnam’s tourism sector is poised to become a key economic driver by 2025.
In 2024, the tourism industry served approximately 110 million domestic travelers and welcomed 17.5 million international visitors, generating VNĐ840 trillion (US$33.17 billion) in revenue, marking a 23.8% increase from 2023.
By 2025, Vietnam aims to attract 22-23 million international visitors and 120-130 million domestic travelers, targeting revenue between VNĐ980-1,050 trillion and creating 5.5 million jobs.
With a strong commitment to digital transformation, Vietnam’s tourism sector is on a path to solidifying its role as a key driver of economic and cultural development, propelling the nation to new heights.