Hanoi (VNA) - Digital transformation is expected to drive Vietnam’s tourism sector to new heights, with the potential for double-digit growth in the years to come.
Today, travelers increasingly rely on digital platforms to research destinations and book tours, accommodations, and transportation. The integration of digital technology has revolutionised tourism marketing, making it more innovative, far-reaching, and effective in attracting diverse visitor segments.
Recognising this shift, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Ho An Phong stressed that digital transformation is the key to ensuring the rapid and sustainable growth of the industry.
Tourism and a transformational leap in digital age
As travelers increasingly share reviews, feedback, and check-in photos or videos online, the sector is gaining valuable insights to enhance service quality and customer satisfaction. Digital transformation has undeniably made a significant impact, driving efficiency and innovation within the industry.
Recognising its importance, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has established a legal framework, approving key projects such as the national tourism database system and the application of Industry 4.0 technologies to boost smart tourism, aiming to position the sector as a key economic driver.
Last year, the ministry focused on building a comprehensive smart tourism ecosystem to aid state management, business operations, and visitor experiences. It introduced criteria for the national digital platform tourism governance, along with smart destination performance indicators. Additionally, training programmes and guidelines have been launched to assist localities and businesses in adopting digital transformation.
Across the country, provinces and tourism organisations actively implemented three major projects on heritage digitisation, smart tourism, and operations centre establishment. Vietnam also capitalised on international partnerships and social media networks to integrate into the global smart tourism landscape.
Deputy Director General of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) Ha Van Sieu said various creative and sustainable smart tourism models have also been introduced nationwide.
Smart ecosystem – catalyst for tourism boom?
According to Hoang Quoc Hoa, Director of the VNAT’s tourism information centre, a comprehensive smart tourism ecosystem is being developed for seamless, unified implementation across the tourism sector.
The centre has already established a tourism database covering travel businesses, accommodations, tour guides, and attractions. Additionally, a nationwide tourism statistics reporting system has been introduced to streamline management at both national and local levels.
Notably, the "Vietnam Travel" national tourism app has been introduced. It is a multi-service digital platform that offers information searches, digital maps, flight and hotel bookings, attraction ticket purchases, and direct feedback to authorities.
Furthermore, digital projects such as "Vibrant Vietnam" on Google Arts & Culture have been launched, showcasing Vietnam’s cultural richness and artistic heritage.
The "Wonders of Vietnam" project, meanwhile, features 35 virtual exhibitions and over 1,300 images of the country’s most renowned attractions, UNESCO-recognised heritage sites, breathtaking landscapes, cultural traditions, and culinary experiences across the central localities of Quang Binh, Ninh Binh, Hue, Da Nang, and Quang Nam.
In a word, digital transformation is forging a connected tourism ecosystem and integrating the sector with multiple industries, regions, and products.
Last year, Vietnam served about 110 million domestic and 17.5 million foreign visitors, earning approximately 840 trillion VND (33.09 billion USD) from the sector, an annual increase of 23.8%.
This year, the industry is set to host up to 130 million domestic and 23 million foreign tourists, resulting in total revenue of between 980 trillion and 1.05 quadrillion VND and some 5.5 million jobs created./.
