Vietnam is poised to transform its cultural tourism landscape, with a new generation of young “cultural ambassadors” at the forefront, according to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Ha Kim Ngoc (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is poised to transform its cultural tourism landscape, with a new generation of young “cultural ambassadors” at the forefront, according to Deputy Miniꦛster of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNEꦬSCO Ha Kim Ngoc.
The country, with over 40,000 relic sites and 68 UNESCO-recognised heritage sites, boasts a rich cultural tapestry spread across its 63 cities and provinces. They have become magnets for tourists, contributing significantly to local branding, economic growth, and sustainable development.
"Owning a UNESCO designation not only recognises the cultural, historical, and natural value of a locality or a country but also serves as a powerful draw for international tourists," Ngoc told Vietnam News Agency in a recent interview.
Cat Ba island from above (Photo: VNA)
Cultural tourism is a global trend, and Vietnam is keen to capitalise on its rich heritage. UNESCO designations bring invaluable support from the international community, including funding, human resources, and technical assistance to develop tourism infrastructure. This backing fuels the tourism industry’s growth, creating numerous job opportunities for local communities, he said.
“When a site becomes a 'brand' recognised by UNESCO, it provides a significant advantage and acts as a key factor in influencing tourists' destination choices”, said Ngoc.
The 13th National Party Congress's document outlined a clear policy to make "Vietnamese culture and people truly become an internal strength and driving force of national development and protection of the homeland". Various ministries and local authorities have since adopted measures to conserve, promote, and encourage sustainable tourism development linked to UNESCO heritage sites.
The Prime Minister has issued several key strategies, including the Cultural Diplomacy Strategy to 2030, which centres on localities, citizens, and businesses. The Government's recent Resolution No. 82/NQ-CP also states that "tourism has truly become a key economic sector of the country”.
To cultivate a new generation of tourism professionals, Vietnam is investing in education and awareness-raising courses. Schools are incorporating UNESCO heritage into various extracurricular activities to engage students early in promoting heritage through tourism development.
The deputy minister also highlighted the importance of facilitating tourism startups led by young entrepreneurs, especially those related to cultural heritage utilisation. Training and technical support courses are offered to help them develop innovative tourism products and services.
In Hoi An ancient town (Photo: VNA)
Today, leveraging the values of UNESCO designations and heritage for economic and tourism development is a crucial task of each locality. UNESCO encourages this endeavor to be approached with creativity and innovation while ensuring a balance between preservation and development, in line with the commitments made to UNESCO, he said.
Ngoc encouraged young people to engage in community-associated tourism. This involves offering visitors opportunities to experience the unique local cultures, intangible heritage, and indigenous festivals firsthand. Such efforts not only popularise Vietnamese culture, history, and people but also directly benefit the community.
To keep pace with global trends and meet growing demand, young people have certain advantages but need to further leverage digital transformation, social media platforms, mobile apps, and the effects of social networks to promote and showcase UNESCO heritage to a global audience, he said./.
Vietnam has brought to the annual festival of consulates general in France a showcase of her tourism destinations, traditional paintings and musical instruments, leaving an enticing impression on visitors.
The Central Highlands boasts a diverse culture which is enriched by ethnic minority groups from many parts of the country, thus the region has huge potential for cultural tourism development.
The cultural richness and diversity of the 19 ethnic communities in Dien Bien province is a valuable asset of the locality in particular and the country in general. This is also an important factor in attracting tourists from near and far to Dien Bien.
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.
