International donors work to boost responsible tourism in Vietnam
Representatives of ten international sponsors took part in a roundtable meeting in Hanoi on January 28 to discuss their coordination in support of responsible tourism in Vietnam.
Hanoi (VNA) – Representatives of ten international sponsors took part in a roundtable meeting in Hanoi on January 28 to discuss their 💯coordination in support of responsible tourism in Vietnam.
The EU-funded capacity development programme for environmentally and socially responsible tourism in Vietnam (EU-ESRT) initiated the talks.
The round table meeting provided an opportunity for effective coordination among these groups.
Participants reached agreement on prioritises of the tourism sections, the roles and responsibilities of each donor and a collaborative mechanism to avoid an overlap among activities and resources.
Their consensus is expected to ensure that their shared objectives will be sustainably achievable.
Nguyen Van Tuan, Chairman of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, said that strong assistance from international and regional organisations, particularly effective technical support from the EU, has stimulated the development and progress of the local tourism industry.
This support has contributed to facilitating the country’s implementation of its tourism development strategy for the 2001 – 2010 period, and now for 2011 – 2020, he added.
According to Tom Corrie, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam’s Cooperation and Development Section, as the largest tourism donor in Vietnam over the past 12 years, the EU has thus far sponsored more than 20 million EUR for the country to build capacities, organise training courses and improve service quality.
Apart from the EU-ESRT, other foreign-funded tourism initiatives in Vietnam include a programme supporting the Initiative for ASEAN Integration sponsored by the Germany Agency for Technical Cooperation, a project to develop tourism in Quang Nam and Thua Thien - Hue provinces by UNESCO, and the Ha Long Bay Alliance – a programme run by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.-VNA
The Prime Minister approved the extension of the EU-funded Environmentally and Socially Responsible Tourism Capacity Development Programme till November 10, 2016.
The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on November 17 announced the ‘Vietnam Annual Tourism Report 2014’ for the first time.
A technical report and a map of regional tourism product development for Central Coast have been launched by the EU-funded Environmentally and Socially Responsible Tourism Capacity Development Program
Vietnam hopes to welcome 8.5 million foreign visitors and 60 million domestic travellers in 2016, earning a total of 370 trillion VND (16.8 billion USD) in revenue.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
Scene at the meeting. (Photo: esrt.vn)
