For Vietnam, with tourism identified as a key economic sector, digital transformation is a crucial driving force for restructuring the industry, enhancing competitiveness, and moving towards sustainable development. Smart tourism not only changes management and business methods but also deepens the visitor experience, opening up new development opportunities for Vietnamese tourism in the digital age.
Visitors experience heritage through virtual reality technology at the digital exhibition space “ Hanoi Radiant - Light and Heritage” (launched on the evening of December 26, 2025 at the Exhibition House, 93 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem Ward, Hanoi). Photo: hanoi.gov.vn
The effectiveness of digital transformation
Digital transformation is understood as a comprehensive and holistic change in the way individuals and organizations live, work, and produce, based on digital technology . In the tourism sector, digital transformation refers to the change in how people travel, how they do tourism, and how they conduct business and manage tourism through data and modern digital technologies.
In recent years, the phrase "digital transformation in tourism" has been mentioned more and more frequently. The strong spread of the Fourth Industrial Revolution with a series of new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, blockchain, virtual reality (VR)... is having a profound impact on all aspects of socio-economic life, including tourism.
Recognizing the importance of digital transformation, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has consistently identified the development of tourism in conjunction with digital transformation as a key priority for many years. According to Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, the tourism industry has accelerated the application of technology to build and develop a smart tourism ecosystem, meeting the diverse needs of tourists.
Accordingly, many shared digital platforms have been built and put into operation, creating a foundation for a smart tourism ecosystem, such as the Vietnam tourism database system; tourism statistical reporting software from the central to local levels; the national tourism application “Vietnam Travel”; the Vietnam card - a smart tourism card; tourism management and business applications; the Vietnam tourism yellow pages; an “online - interconnected - multi-modal” electronic ticketing system; a multimedia tour guide system, etc.
Digital transformation in tourism has been strongly implemented in many localities, contributing to a vibrant picture of modern and professional Vietnamese tourism. Ho Chi Minh City applies 3D technology in tourism promotion; updates 366 tourism resources on Google Earth and Google Maps; and brings tourism products to e-commerce platforms. Quang Ninh province invests in building a smart tourism portal, digitizing tourism data, and deploying more than 100 free Wi-Fi hotspots for tourists. Da Nang city implements applications such as "One Touch to Da Nang" (VR360), 3D scanning, an electronic tourism portal, and online tourism fairs... contributing to improving the effectiveness of promotion and advertising.
Hanoi, as the tourism hub of the country, has always been at the forefront of digital transformation to improve the quality of tourism in the capital. The city has widely implemented QR codes to facilitate access to information, public services, and tourism amenities for residents and tourists. The most notable example is the simultaneous implementation of electronic ticketing, automated multilingual audio guides, and data digitization using QR codes at many destinations such as the Temple of Literature, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and Hoa Lo Prison, allowing visitors to easily access and search for information. Notably, the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center recently launched a digital experience zone featuring technologies such as AI tour guides, 3D Visual Mapping technology recreating cultural spaces, and Holobox 3D technology enabling visitors to explore artifacts in three-dimensional images.
According to the Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, Dang Huong Giang, Hanoi has applied information technology, digital platforms, and social networks in tourism activities, and has unified the data system for more than 300 destinations. Digitization makes it easier for tourists to find information and plan their trips. “The capital's tourism industry is coordinating with localities and units to build digital maps of destinations and culinary addresses to enhance the tourist experience,” Ms. Dang Huong Giang shared.
In his overall assessment of the effectiveness of digital transformation, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Pham Van Thuy stated that the digitalization of management and product development is bringing a new look to Vietnamese tourism, moving towards a smart and sustainable tourism ecosystem.
Visitors experience virtual reality at the Temple of Literature - National University.
To achieve smart tourism, we need a change in mindset.
In response to the powerful impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Party and State have issued many important guidelines and policies to promote the application of science and technology in tourism development. Resolution 08-NQ/TW issued by the Politburo (January 16, 2017) on "Developing tourism into a key economic sector" affirmed that, in order to develop tourism into a key economic sector, many solutions must be implemented, including the essential need to promote the application of modern science and technology. Similarly, Decision 411/QD-TTg (March 31, 2022) of the Prime Minister approving the National Strategy for the Development of the Digital Economy and Society until 2025, with a vision to 2030, emphasizes the development of a smart tourism ecosystem and the application of digital technology to connect, support, and enhance the experience for tourists...
According to Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong, digital transformation in tourism is an inevitable and extremely important trend. When applying digital technology and smart platforms, tourism will develop rapidly and sustainably; therefore, localities need to consider this a key solution to enhance the value of their destinations. Analyzing the necessity of developing smart tourism to anticipate new tourism trends, Associate Professor Pham Hong Long (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi) noted that more and more tourists are proactively searching for information and designing their own itineraries through digital platforms with the support of AI, chatbots, and smart applications. Therefore, applying technology not only enhances the experience but also contributes to improving the competitiveness of Vietnamese tourism.
Although the application of technology in the development of smart tourism is always emphasized as a vital factor, experts believe that how to apply technology effectively is a problem that needs careful consideration. Nguyen Huu Viet, Deputy Director of the Hanoi City Tourism Information and Promotion Center (Hanoi Department of Tourism), believes that developing smart tourism is not simply about applying digital technology, but more importantly, about a change in mindset, considering tourist satisfaction as the measure of success. To form a smart tourism ecosystem, the collaboration of travel agencies, accommodation establishments, destinations, technology partners, media, and other stakeholders is necessary. “Hanoi’s tourism industry aims for modernity, convenience, and safety while still preserving and spreading unique cultural values, so that every tourist visiting the capital has a memorable and emotionally rich journey,” said Mr. Nguyen Huu Viet.
From a business perspective, Bui Thanh Tu, Marketing Director of BestPrice Travel Company, believes that digital transformation is necessary, but businesses need to consider their conditions and resources to choose the appropriate solution, thereby optimizing operating and personnel costs.
It can be affirmed that digital transformation is the "key" to the development of Vietnamese tourism in a smart, modern, and sustainable direction. Applying digital technology to tourism management, business, and experiences will help enhance competitiveness, effectively exploit potential, and affirm Vietnam's position on the world map.
Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/chuyen-doi-so-chia-khoa-phat-trien-du-lich-thong-minh-20260114091900056.htm
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