The seminar focuses on the application of information technology solutions to promote digital transformation for tourism businesses. (Photo: VNA) The event, organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) inpartnership with MobiFone Telecommunications Corporation, drew theparticipation of representatives from various sectors, including tourism,transportation, hospitality, and telecommunications.
In his opening remarks, VCCI Vice Chairman Bui Trung Nghia stressed the needfor a radical shift in both the mindset and actions within the tourismindustry. This change, he noted, should involve everyone from managementagencies and local authorities to the businesses themselves.
Nghia emphasised that the digital transformation extends beyond justtechnological aspects — it encompasses management, trade promotion, andadvertising as well. Alongside government investment, the transformationprocess also requires additional resources, both domestically andinternationally.
The ultimate aims of digitally transforming the tourism industry, as Nghia highlighted,should be to continually improve service quality and to meet customer needseffectively.
At the seminar, experts advised that businesses should prioritise keystrategies such as the development of foundational digital platforms specificto the tourism industry, and fostering close collaboration between the tourismand information technology sectors. These partnerships are envisioned to designtechnology solutions that cater to the needs of digital tourism business andmanagement.
The experts also emphasised the importance of encouraging public-privatepartnership mechanisms as a means to mobilise resources for implementingdigital transformation in tourism. Additionally, they underscored the need toaugment training programmes on digital transformation for the industry'sworkforce, and to bolster international cooperation in tourism digitaltransformation, particularly with global technology corporations.
Le Nguyen Truong Giang, the Director of the Digital Transformation StrategyInstitute under the Vietnam Digital Media Association, presented the SmartTourism Development Model during the seminar.
Giang highlighted that the digital transformation of the tourism industrynecessitates a profound shift in how tourism activities are organised and howtourism products are designed. This entails adopting new, digital ways ofthinking and developing new digital capabilities to ensure an effective digitaltransformation of tourism activities.
Furthermore, Giang stressed that digital transformation in the tourism sectorrepresents a revolution in thinking. He explained that through the integrationof digital technologies, the tourism industry can enable customers toexperience tourism activities via dedicated applications, thereby enrichingtheir travel experience.
Chu Quang Thai, a representative of the National Center for Creative StartupSupport in the South branch (Ministry of Science and Technology), highlighted adeficit in the management role of State agencies in this context.
Thai suggested that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism should takeresponsibility for creating a comprehensive, nationwide tourism database. Thisapproach would circumvent the current situation where each locality andindividual business develops its own separate technology solutions, heexplained.
He also called for government regulations governing the use of this unifieddatabase by businesses as they develop their own digital tourism products basedon the database.
Furthermore, Thai emphasised the need for determined leadership within tourismbusinesses as they pursue digital transformation. In addition to leadership, heidentified resource preparation, supply chain management, and system synchronisationas essential components to successfully execute this digital transformation.
Thai added thatbusinesses must understand that the future of tourism extends beyondtraditional vacation travel. It is increasingly intertwined with other forms oftravel and experience, such as working tourism, eco-tourism, rural tourism, andleisure tourism. In light of this evolving landscape, Thai urged businesses topinpoint the core value of their enterprise and their position within thetourism product supply chain. Based on this understanding, they can thenformulate a precise digital transformation plan that is centred on their corevalue and key products.
Nguyen Huu Viet, head of the Tourism Promotion Department at the Center forInvestment, Trade and Tourism Promotion of Hanoi, commented that theapplication of digital technology in Hanoi's tourism sector has beenunsynchronised, which has had a negative impact on the city's sustainabletourism development.
He mentioned that Hanoi has introduced a digital transformation support packagefor businesses, with a funding pool of 300 billion VND. This package, which isaccessible to tourism businesses, offers consultation services for applicationdevelopment and facilitates connections with application suppliers.
However, Viet noted that only around 1,300 businesses have availed themselvesof this scheme so far, a figure he views as disappointingly low. He thereforeencouraged other businesses in need of assistance with their digitaltransformation journey to apply for this support package.
Furthermore, Viet revealed that Hanoi is in the process of developing asmartphone application that aims to make it easier for visitors to findinformation about tourist destinations, public transport stations, restaurants,and hotels, as well as to book tickets.
This application is also designed to provide information on tourist events andactivities, delve into Hanoi's culture and history, and offer navigation mapsto visitors. Viet anticipates that the application will be available onsmartphones before 2025.
In addition, he shared that the capital city is planning to expand the use ofvirtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies. This initiativeaims to enable virtual experiences that will bring Hanoi’s tourist destinationsto life for potential visitors, irrespective of their physical location.
Additionally, the city plans to organise online tourism events aimed atstimulating tourism interest among individuals who have not yet visited thecapital. To further this goal, Hanoi intends to intensify its tourism promotionefforts by utilising a variety of tools, including social media platforms,travel blogs, and online videos. These tools will be employed to disseminateinformation, photographs, and videos showcasing travel experiences andattractions in Hanoi.
During this event, experts from MobiFone presented the 'MobiFone Smart Travel'solutions, designed to offer information and support to tourists.
A representative from MobiFone also shared that the telecommunications companyhas developed a range of digital products to enhance the travel experience forthousands of tourists. These products include a Tourism Portal; a Digital Map;a 3D Virtual Tour System; a Travel SIM System; and a Smart AI Switchboard, asoutlined by the MobiFone spokesperson./.
VNA
