A new approach is needed for tourism to achieve breakthroughs and sustainable development.

On the morning of January 13th, at the Government Headquarters, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh chaired a meeting of the State Steering Committee on Tourism. Representatives from relevant ministries and agencies that are members of the Steering Committee also attended.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh presides over the meeting of the State Steering Committee on Tourism - Photo: VGP/Giang Thanh

At the meeting, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong, a permanent member of the Steering Committee, reported on the assessment of Vietnam's tourism industry's performance in 2025, key tasks for 2026, and proposed solutions to accelerate Vietnam's tourism development in the coming period.

After listening to the discussions of the Steering Committee members, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh highly appreciated the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Government Office for promptly preparing the documents and reports for the meeting. He also highly appreciated the participation and contributions of the delegates, which were very enthusiastic and responsible.

The State Steering Committee on Tourism basically agreed with the documents and reports of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the comments of the delegates. The Deputy Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the permanent agency of the Steering Committee, to incorporate and finalize the draft announcement of the conclusions of the meeting.

On behalf of the Government, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged, commended, and highly appreciated the proactive, positive, and responsible involvement of the members of the Steering Committee, ministries, central agencies, and localities in the development of tourism, demonstrating high responsibility and determination in successfully achieving the goals and tasks of the tourism sector in 2025.

In 2025, despite facing many difficulties and challenges, with the leadership and attention of the Party, State, Government, and Prime Minister, the efforts of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and other ministries, sectors, and localities, and the concerted efforts of the people and businesses, the tourism industry achieved very positive results, truly becoming a bright spot in the economy.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong reports at the session - Photo: VGP/Giang Thanh

Specifically, international tourists to Vietnam reached 21.2 million arrivals, an increase of 20.2% compared to the same period in 2024; domestic tourists reached 137 million arrivals, an increase of 24.5% compared to the same period. Total revenue from tourism reached 1 trillion VND, a growth of 19%.

Many localities achieved very good results, such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Da Nang, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, etc. Many tourism businesses were licensed and operated effectively.

In 2025, Vietnam's tourism sector will continue to receive numerous awards from prestigious international tourism organizations, with Vietnam being recognized as a world-leading heritage destination for the sixth time; and achieving the title of Asia's leading destination for the seventh time, along with many other awards.

The Deputy Prime Minister also agreed with the limitations, shortcomings, causes, and lessons learned as stated in the report and the opinions expressed at the meeting, and requested the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to take them into consideration and develop solutions for the future.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that 2026 is a year of significant importance, marking the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the election of the new National Assembly and People's Councils, and the first year of implementing the 2026-2030 five-year socio-economic development plan. It is also a year in which the international and regional situation is predicted to continue to be fraught with volatility and risks, with slow economic recovery, inflation, and conflicts in some countries.

The tourism industry's target for 2026 is to welcome 25 million international visitors and 150 million domestic visitors. To ensure the industry truly achieves breakthroughs, sustainable development, and contributes to double-digit GDP growth in 2026, the Deputy Prime Minister requested a new approach, shifting from a recovery mindset to a growth, competitive, and sustainable development mindset.

To achieve that, it is necessary to focus on addressing bottlenecks, limitations, and shortcomings, and to have breakthrough, specific solutions:

First, continue to improve the institutional framework and remove bottlenecks;

Secondly, it is necessary to mobilize resources to invest in infrastructure, including infrastructure serving all sectors, but also infrastructure for the tourism industry, including resorts, hotels, and tourism facilities, as well as infrastructure supporting the digital transformation of the tourism industry;

Thirdly, invest in improving the quality of human resources.

Regarding specific tasks, the Deputy Prime Minister assigned the following:

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is focusing on effectively implementing the key resolutions of the Politburo, specifically the Politburo's Resolution 80-NQ-TW dated January 7, 2026, on the development of Vietnamese culture, restructuring, and improving the quality and competitiveness of Vietnamese tourism.

Review existing laws and legal documents, and if any are found to be inadequate, propose amendments, additions, and improvements to the institutional framework in a development-oriented direction.

Focus on effectively exploiting markets with large numbers of international tourists, high spending levels, and long stays.

The Deputy Prime Minister also requested the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to review and adjust the tourism system plan for the period 2021-2030, ensuring it is consistent with the two-tiered local government model.

Research breakthrough policies to remove institutional barriers, encourage innovation, digital transformation, and green transformation in the tourism sector. Strongly innovate tourism promotion and marketing; focus promotional resources on high-spending market segments and emerging markets with potential.

Promoting cultural diplomacy and applying digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to personalize promotional content tailored to each target market. In addition, guiding localities and businesses to develop high-end tourism products that suit each locality's strengths (green tourism, wellness tourism, MICE tourism, golf, etc.) to enhance the quality and competitiveness of Vietnam as a tourist destination.

Promoting public-private partnerships and mobilizing domestic and international social resources to invest in the development of tourism infrastructure and facilities will improve connectivity, enhance competitiveness, and reduce costs.

The Ministry of Public Security continues to strengthen technological solutions to improve the process and procedures for issuing electronic visas; and the procedures for controlling entry and exit, ensuring faster and more convenient procedures for international visitors to Vietnam.

The Deputy Prime Minister requested that in 2026, ministries, sectors, and localities must demonstrate greater determination, take more decisive action, coordinate closely, and have specific programs and plans based on the "six clear principles," overcoming limitations and difficulties, and striving to achieve and surpass the assigned tasks in tourism. - Photo: VGP/Giang Thanh

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will coordinate with relevant agencies to propose visa policies.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is stepping up efforts to provide information and promote Vietnam's visa policy to international friends. It is also researching and proposing amendments to relevant legal documents to facilitate the effective implementation of Vietnam's tourism promotion and marketing policies abroad.

The Ministry of Construction continues to implement solutions to invest in strategic infrastructure, including international flight routes to Vietnam; increase the attraction of international tourists through international transport methods such as air and sea; and complete and put into operation key transportation projects and hubs on schedule.

Ministries and departments, according to their assigned functions and responsibilities, research and advise on policies that contribute to tourism development.

The People's Committees of provinces and cities should proactively implement the resolutions of the Politburo and the Government, and research and adjust local tourism development plans, strategies, and projects to suit the new administrative boundaries.

Strengthen the local Tourism Development Steering Committee; issue policies to support local tourism development according to the assigned responsibilities.

The Deputy Prime Minister also requested that decentralization and delegation of power be promoted, administrative procedures be reformed, costs be reduced, and favorable conditions be created for businesses and tourists; that management be strengthened to ensure security, order, social safety, environmental hygiene, and food safety at tourist areas and destinations; and that a civilized, friendly, and hospitable tourism environment be built.

The Deputy Prime Minister stated that, in order to develop high-quality, sustainable tourism and promote smart, green tourism, it is necessary to focus on improving institutions, mobilizing investment infrastructure, reviewing and adjusting planning in a synchronized, modern, civilized, friendly, and smart governance direction; training human resources; promoting digital transformation; and building a communication strategy to promote Vietnam's image abroad, linked to tourism promotion and the APEC 2027 year hosted by Vietnam.

The Deputy Prime Minister requested that in 2026, ministries, sectors, and localities must demonstrate greater determination, take more decisive action, coordinate closely, and have specific programs and plans based on the "six clear principles," overcoming limitations and difficulties, and striving to achieve and surpass the assigned tasks in tourism.

Source: VGP

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/can-cach-tiep-can-moi-de-du-lich-but-pha-phat-trien-ben-vung-238260113155241376.htm