Hanoi to join tourism development forum with HCM City, central provinces
A forum to link tourism development between Hanoi, the southern hub HCM City and the Central Key Economic Region is slated for November 27-28, announced the Hanoi Department of Tourism during a recent press conference.
Hanoi (VNA) –🍨 A forum to link tourism development between Hanoi, the southern hub HCMCity and the Central Key Economic Region is slated for November 27-28, announcedthe Hanoi Department of Tourism during a recent press conference.
The zone covers thefour provinces of Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, and Binh Dinh. The forum, to be hostedby the central province of Quang Nam, marks a new development in thecooperation between leaders of the localities and tourism management agenciesand associations, and travel firms. It will focus on Statetourism management, human resources development, product development, andpromotions. A signing ceremony ontourism development agreements between authorities of Hanoi and HCM City,national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and tourism associations of sevenlocalities, and travel firms will take place at the forum. Other activitiesinclude a business matching and an exhibition promoting famous touristdestinations, products and specialties of the localities. Intra-regional developmentcooperation is viewed as an effective method to revitalise domestic tourismactivities as the sector is bearing the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hanoi welcomed 7.27million visitors in the January-October period, down 68.9 percent from the sameperiod last year, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the municipalDepartment of Tourism. In 2019, around 29million visitors came to the capital city, including more than 7 millionforeigners. As the resurgence ofCOVID-19 in Vietnam has been basically brought under control, the tourismsector in the capital city has been swiftly making plans to draw back visitorsand gradually return to previous growth levels. Many relic sites,places of interests, and entertainment venues in Hanoi have had a facelift andnew services offered to meet visitors’ demand. Entertainment venuesare also revamping themselves to attract local visitors who are believed to bethe best target in plans to recover the tourism sector at this point of time. Local travel companiesare also moving to encourage customers to travel again, as all air, train, androad routes to the central city of Da Nang, a major tourism centre and wherethe second COVID-19 outbreak started, have been resumed and many localities reopenedplaces of interest. Nguyen Cong Hoan,General Director of the Flamingo Redtours JSC, said that this time around, lowprices are not the most attractive factor as travellers are seeking uniqueproducts that offer many different experiences.
Instead of promotingall of its tours, the company has selected the most outstanding autumndestinations for itineraries, such as the northwestern region with its bloomingbuckwheat flowers, the Central Highlands with its wild sunflowers, and theMekong Delta region and its flood season.
🐼 It has also developedcustomised tours to suit the needs of particular groups of travellers, henoted, adding that the company expects that by proactively introducing newproducts, it can seize the opportunities a new tourism season presents.
According to the HanoiTourism Department, the successful containment of the second outbreak ofCOVID-19 has provided an opportunity for the local tourism sector to revive andthrive. It has worked with theHanoi Tourism Association, travel clubs, airlines, hotels, and destinations todiscuss development solutions in the new context. It has asked tourism serviceproviders and places of interest to diversify products, introduce travel demandstimulus, and re-organise their activities to improve efficiency. At the same time, Hanoi will enhanceCOVID-19 preventive measures in public places, especially in bars and karaokelounges. No new local cases have been recorded inthe capital for more than two months, yet the municipal health department saidthe risks of the virus are still high, especially as more international flightsstarted to resume./.
Leading tourist companies in Ho Chi Minh City are seeking to establish criteria for safe destinations to reboot tourism and prepare for international arrivals in the near future.
The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has officially kick-started a mobile app named “Du lich Viet Nam an toan” (Safe travel in Vietnam) in a bid to support travelers in searching information on safe destinations and interacting with tourism service providers.
Vietnam International Travel Mart 2020 (VITM 2020), with the theme “Digital transformation boosts Vietnamese tourism development”, officially kicked off in Hanoi on November 18.
By engaging in tourism programmes with localities nationwide, Hanoi has forged regional links that have helped it drive up visitor numbers and tourism revenue, according to Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Tourism Tran Trung Hieu.
A recent report, City Pulse 2025, by Gensler Research Institute, ranked HCM City among the world’s top cities for resident retention, placing it second globally. This underscores the city's reputation as a liveable, dynamic urban centre, an image that supports efforts to attract investors, experts, and MICE travellers.
Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh has instructed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) to coordinate with other ministries, agencies and localities to effectively implement policies and directives from the Party, Government, and Prime Minister on tourism development.
Da Nang's appeal stems from its numerous outstanding tourist attractions, particularly My Khe Beach, Sun World Ba Na Hills resort, and the ancient town of Hoi An. Additionally, Da Nang tourism is renowned for its affordability, especially attractive to young travellers and couples, according to Chosun Ilbo.
With new direct flights from major Indian cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru, Vietnam is becoming an increasingly compelling destination for Indian tourists seeking a quick, emotionally rich four-day escape that blends luxury, culture, and natural wonder.
By source market, China continued to lead with 3.1 million visitors, equivalent to 25.5% of all foreign arrivals. The Republic of Korea followed with 2.5 million, or 20.7%. Other major markets included Taiwan (China) with 737,000, the US with 522,000, and Japan with 380,000.
Khanh Hoa has welcomed 16 international cruises so far this year, with more than 19,000 tourists disembarking to explore the province’s scenic landscapes and renowned cultural, religious, and artistic landmarks, as well as to enjoy local cuisine and sightseeing tours.
According to local plans, fireworks shows will be held at multiple locations, with Ha Long Bay as the focal point. More than mere entertainment, these displays are part of a strategic cultural tourism product aimed at strengthening the region’s brand.
Chatbot and virtual assistants support itinerary consultation and tour bookings, and provide around-the-clock response across multiple platforms while AI advertising applications have been used to optimise budgets and target the right customers. AI has been also employed to analyse customer data, enabling the delivery of personalised tour recommendations.
Many Vietnamese regions possess favourable conditions, including natural landscapes, climate, and rich cultural identities, to host sport events that integrate with cultural and tourism experiences.
Dubbed the “land of ancient towers”, Khanh Hoa boasts a rich Cham legacy through architectural masterpieces like the Po Nagar, Hoa Lai, Po Klong Garai, and Po Rome towers.
Vietnam’s e-visa system is now seen as one of the most efficient, convenient, and transparent in the region. Fully online registration, no paperwork or interviews, and fast and flexible processing time have improved foreigners’ entry experience, creating a competitive advantage over countries clinging to complicated and costly visa procedures.
Sunset Town unfolded like a living fairytale. Every street and hidden corner recalls iconic European landmarks – from Venice’s San Marco Bell Tower and Paris’s Arc de Triomphe to Almafi-style squares and cobblestone paths reminiscent of southern Italy.
Its natural advantages have made Mui Ne a magnet for enthusiasts of kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing, and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP). These activities not only diversify the local tourism offerings but also contribute to the area’s long-term development strategy focused on sustainability.
In July alone, the city welcomed 695,930 international arrivals, surging 75.3% year-on-year. For the seven-month period, international visitors totalled 4.5 million, up 48% year-on-year.
Welcoming the crew on the morning of July 30, Dang Dong Ha, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, emphasised that the film offers a valuable opportunity to promote Quang Tri’s tourism potential, particularly to Indian visitors, but also to a broader global audience.
With a proactive and creative approach, Hanoi is positioning itself as one of Southeast Asia’s most compelling destinations where tradition meets innovation, and every visit offers a blend of the familiar and the new.
At the press conference (Photo: VNA) 
