What Does Vietnam’s Tourism Need to Elevate Itself?
(TheLeader) – Vietnam must focus on enhancing the travel experience, transforming itself into a truly high-end destination on the global tourism map.
1. Shifting from Quantity to Quality: A Change in Development Mindset
By 2025, Vietnam aims to welcome 22-23 million international visitors, serve 120-130 million domestic travelers, and achieve tourism revenue in the trillions of VND. To realize this ambitious goal, the industry must undergo a major transformation—shifting from prioritizing volume to focusing on quality, targeting high-spending, long-stay visitors.
World-class destinations are not defined by natural beauty alone but require five key factors:
•Unique tourism products that blend culture, art, and high-end services.
•A highly skilled and professional workforce that meets international standards.
•Policies that attract premium travelers, from visa facilitation to tourism ecosystems.
•Strategic and effective marketing targeting key international markets.
•Cutting-edge technology platforms that personalize the travel experience.
2. Positioning as a Luxury Destination: Targeting Distant, High-Value Markets
Global tourism trends are shifting towards long-haul markets such as Europe, the U.S., and the Middle East, where visitors stay longer and spend more. However, Vietnam continues to rely primarily on regional tourists with mass-market products that lack differentiation.
Modern travelers seek personalized, emotionally engaging journeys, making each trip more than just a sightseeing excursion—it should be an unforgettable, tailor-made experience. This missing puzzle piece is crucial to Vietnam’s tourism industry reaching its full potential.
3. The Service Ecosystem Has Yet to Match High-End Demand
Vietnam boasts natural wonders like Ha Long Bay, Son Doong Cave, and scenic railway routes adored by Western travelers. However, most tourism experiences remain generic, lacking premium offerings, and the service ecosystem has not yet met the expectations of affluent visitors:
•Limited luxury shopping centers and high-end entertainment complexes.
•An underdeveloped golf tourism sector, which needs more world-class courses and professional services.
•A lack of exclusive tourism experiences, such as luxury cruises, private dining with renowned chefs, and cultural immersion tours led by expert guides.
4. Embracing Technology: A Must for the Future
In the digital era, technology is not just an operational efficiency tool but a game-changer in travel experiences. The global tourism industry is rapidly adopting:
•Seamless mobile booking services.
•Virtual tours and AI-driven personalized travel recommendations.
•Cashless payments and smart concierge services.
Vietnam must accelerate digital transformation across the entire tourism value chain, from booking and payments to on-site experiences and data-driven market strategies.
5. Policies: The Key to Success
All these advancements will be unattainable without effective policies. To elevate Vietnam into a true luxury destination, critical reforms are needed:
•Simplifying visa procedures to attract long-haul travelers.
•Expanding and improving airline connectivity for easier access.
•Developing world-class luxury resorts, marinas, golf courses, and shopping centers.
•Enhancing workforce training in hospitality, foreign languages, and premium service etiquette.
Leading travel companies like Lux Travel DMC, Vietnam’s first tour operator to receive the Travelife Certified Sustainability Award 2025, serve as pioneers in sustainable, high-end tourism. Their success can inspire and set a benchmark for the rest of the industry.
6. Learning from Thailand: A Strategic Approach to Breakthrough Growth
Thailand has successfully positioned itself as Southeast Asia’s leading tourism hub through well-coordinated policies, investment, and strategic branding. Vietnam should learn from their comprehensive, tourism-friendly approach not just to compete but to rise as Asia’s top luxury tourism destination.
Conclusion
Vietnam has the potential to become a world-class luxury tourism destination, but achieving this requires:
•A long-term vision.
•A shift in development mindset from mass tourism to high-value experiences.
•Significant investment in premium services.
•The integration of cutting-edge technology.
•Supportive policies that facilitate growth.
By aligning these elements, Vietnam’s tourism industry can truly break through and establish itself among the world’s top-tier destinations.
