Vietnam’s tourism sector gets high-tech makeover to woo global travellers
Looking ahead, experts predicted that 2025 will be AR’s breakout year, akin to the ubiquity of QR codes. With AI cooking up personalised trips and lightweight, user-friendly gadgets, Vietnam’s tourism industry is ready to explode.
Virtual restoration of Phung Tien Palace in Hue city. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s tourism sector is getting a wild upgrade with virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and extended reality (XR), turning ancient history into mind-blowing digital adventures.
When technology breathes life into heritage
The former imperial capital of Hue, the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre’s “Finding the lost imperial palace” project is a standout. Through Nreal Air AR glasses, visitors step into the Nguyen Dynasty, watching virtual court rituals, guard changes at the Ngo Mon Gate, and performances at the Duyet Thi Royal Theatre, all staged at their original sites. The tech doesn’t just rebuild lost architecture, it sparks emotional ties to history, delivering a culturally rich experience.
In the central province of Quang Tri, telecom provider MobiFone has teamed up with the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to digitise museums, Chut ethnic cultural space, and the UNESCO-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Using 360-degree photos, 3D models, VR videos, and digital narration, remote explorers get a near-real taste of these sites. “This isn’t just about preserving heritage, it’s about making it accessible, especially for the youth”, said Phan Thanh Hoai, Director of MobiFone Quang Binh.
Dang Hong Nguyen Khang, a graduate at the US’s New Jersey Institute of Technology, said effective VR needs to do more than dazzle the eyes, hit multiple senses and convey cultural depth.
Meanwhile, CEO of AZA Travel Nguyen Tien Dat said AI now streamlines tour design, once the domain of seasoned experts, by personalising travel experiences with unprecedented efficiency.
Still, experts cautioned that VR cannot fully replace on-the-ground experiences. Rather, it acts as a teaser, priming travelers for in-person adventures.
Toward smart tourism ecosystem
The surge of XR, AI, and digital platforms is upending Vietnam’s tourism activities. Digital platforms now allow businesses to bypass middlemen, serving up tailor-made travel plans straight to consumers via smartphone with a few taps.
Tourists experience "Finding the lost imperial palace" tour. (Photo: VNA)
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong called digital transformation an inevitable and objective move to keep the industry booming.
The Vietnamese Government has responded with a master plan for tourism development through 2030, alongside plans to foster smart tourism nationwide. Yet hurdles loom, particularly in making tech accessible to all.
According to Master Tran Tuyen, from the Centre for Sustainable Tourism Research and Development (CST) at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities under the Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, while younger travellers are tech-savvy, user-friendly VR designs could also win over older crowds.
Dismissing fears that technology might replace human tour guides, CST Director Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thi Van Hanh said it is turning guides into “living storytellers”, adding soul to virtual experiences with human insight.
Looking ahead, experts predicted that 2025 will be AR’s breakout year, akin to the ubiquity of QR codes. With AI cooking up personalised trips and lightweight, user-friendly gadgets, Vietnam’s tourism industry is ready to explode./.
With the country rapidly advancing its plan to merge provincial-level administrative units, set to be completed by mid-August, the tourism industry, along with other sectors, is presented with challenges but also significant opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth in the era of the nation's rise.
The sector is quickly launching promotional campaigns and demand stimulation efforts to attract more foreign visitors to boost incoming travel and enhance its position on the global tourism map.
A the 31st-generation descendant of King Ly Thai To, Ly Xuong Can was first appointed as Vietnam’s Tourism Ambassador to the RoK in 2017 and reappointed in 2021. In his role, he has spearheaded numerous cultural exchange and tourism promotion initiatives, including the establishment of the Vietnam tourism promotion office in the RoK and the development of a cashless payment project for Korean tourists visiting Vietnam.
The Quang Ninh Tourism Association underscored its commitment to delivering a complete and safe experience for visitors, affirming that Ha Long Bay and Quang Ninh as a whole remain safe destinations.
The "Plastic-Reducing Tourism" push, launched in Thuy Bieu ward and now expanded to iconic sites like Thanh Toan tile bridge, Ngu My Thạnh - Con Toc, and Chuon lagoon, is gaining traction. They are becoming go-to zones for community-based tourism, drawing visitors eager to immerse themselves in local traditions.
The Russian market’s strong rebound has not only revived tourism in Khanh Hoa but also contributed significantly to Vietnam’s overall tourism recovery. According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), Russia was the only international market to post a record growth rate of over 139% in the first half of 2025.
Situated at nearly 2,200 metres above the sea level, right on O Quy Ho Pass – one of Vietnam's "Four Great Passes", the glass bridge offers a panoramic view of Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range, Tam Duong Valley, and drifting white clouds.
Hoi An claimed the fifth spot on this year’s list, impressing international travellers with its distinctive blend of local and foreign architectural styles, a charming canal network, and the warming residents.
In response to Typhoon Wipha, the Van Don international airport in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh and the Cat Bi international airport in neighbouring Hai Phong city will be closed from 11 p.m. on July 21, to noon on July 22.
International visitors are especially fond of hands-on traditional craft experiences and OCOP products in Hoi An ancient town, now part of Da Nang, according to Le Doan Phuoc, a tour guide from a travel company in the central city.
The reappointment of Australian golf legend Gregory John Norman as Vietnam’s Tourism Ambassador for 2025-2030 is a strategic move to attract high-end international tourists, particularly from the US and Australia, boosting Vietnam’s reputation as a diverse tourism hub.
The trip was a valuable opportunity for the guests to explore the natural landscape and heritage value of the trans-provincial world natural heritage site, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago.
According to booking data from Emirates — one of the world’s largest airlines, Vietnam is leading the list of the most popular destinations for the summer 2025 travel peak, thanks in part to the appeal of the new Dubai–Da Nang route.
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.
Phu Quoc surpassed Hoi An, a longtime top draw for international visitors, to get into the top five most-searched destinations in Vietnam during the first half of 2025.
Vietnam MICE EXPO 2025, the country’s largest event in the MICE sector, will be held on September 26 in Hanoi under the theme “Heritage & Technology in the New Era,” expecting over 800 businesses and 1,500 delegates.
The article describes Vietnam as a vibrant, atmospheric, and culturally rich nation. Citing the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), it notes that the number of Australians visiting Vietnam in the first quarter of 2025 surged by 54% compared to the same period in 2019, outpacing all other international destinations.
Unlike more developed destinations such as Sa Pa or Mu Cang Chai, Mien Doi remains untouched by mass tourism, appealing to those seeking a slower pace and authentic local experiences.
According to data released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Vietnam welcomed nearly 10.7 million international visitors in the first half of 2025, up 20.7% from the same period in 2024, achieving 48.6% of the full-year target of 22–23 million.
More importantly, how can Vietnam "redraw" its tourism map to fully leverage the expanded spaces and new development opportunities created by the recent administrative mergers?
From 2022 to 2024, Hanoi saw a strong annual growth rate of 28.3% in visitor numbers during the National Day holiday, with international visitors rising 62.5% annually. Tourism revenue grew by 31.6% per year, reinforcing Hanoi’s status as a vibrant, culturally rich, and safe destination.
![pe.jpg](http://mediayes8877.cc/images/790ffb7916bf348155e2236b4070dfe4781bbeebc60ffa299acec9697f17ba90/pe.jpg "Tourists experience "Finding the lost imperial palace" tour. (Photo: VNA)")
