Smart travel card launched to promote digital transformation
The Viet – Smart Travel Card was officially launched by Tourism Information Technology Centre (TITC) under the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism on May 5.
Hanoi (VNA) ♏– The Viet –Smart Travel Card was officially launched by Tourism Information TechnologyCentre (TITC) under the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism on May 5.
It aims to introduce newutilities applied in the digital transformation of the tourism industry withtour operators and tour guides' community, opening up new opportunities intourism operation and business in Vietnam. The Smart Travel Card is aproduct of the programme "Vietnamese card - one national card"hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. It is integrated in the fields of tourism, health care, banks, trade, transportationand education, supporting users with one-touch and online payment. The card has also been integrated into the “Vietnam Travel”application. When downloading the application, in addition to the smart travelcard, tourists have an opportunity to use an ecosystem of technology utilitiessuch as booking airline tickets and hotels, buying e-tickets, looking up touristdigital maps, and searching for businesses providing travel services. According to Hoang Quoc Hoa,deputy director of the TITC, three key products, namely Smart Travel Card, Vietnam Travelapplication and Tourism Management and Business platform, are widely usedin the tourism community in Vietnam with the goal of promoting digitalisation of the tourism industry, Bui Van Dung, Vice Chairman ofthe Vietnam Tour Guides' Association, said that the smart travel card will facilitatethe operation of tourism managers team as well as encourage creativity in the application of digital technology to support tourismdevelopment./.
The domestic tourism sector needs data centres, hosted by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) to accelerate digital transformation of the industry, said Nguyen Quyet Tam, a member of Vietnam Software & IT Services (VINASA) and CEO of VietISO. This company offers application solutions to tourism, hotel and international events.
Vietnam welcomed about 1.87 million international arrivals in the first nine months of this year, 16.4 times higher than the same period last year but much lower than that in the same time in 2019 before COVID-19 broke out, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).
Vietnam welcomed more than 300,000 foreign visitors and served 7 million domestic tourists during the five-day holidays of Hung Kings Commemoration Day, Reunification Day and International Workers’ Day from April 29 to May 3, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
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.
Illustrative image. (Photo: pos365.vn) 
