Technology opens a new era for the tourism industry

– In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam welcomed 17.2 million international visitors, an increase of more than 22% over the same period and almost reaching the level of the whole year 2024. As the number of visitors returned strongly, the need for a smart, convenient journey with less direct contact is increasingly evident. Technology is changing the way tourists access services and the way businesses operate, in which Hanoi is a bright spot with many effective digital transformation models.

Hanoi welcomed more than 26.07 million visitors in the first 9 months of 2025.

Most tourists choose to book rooms and tours online.

According to the Vietnam E-commerce Association, more than 60% of domestic tourists and over 75% of international tourists choose to book rooms and tours online. Mobile operations help shorten preparation time and give tourists the initiative in choosing products.

In Hanoi, many international tourists said they easily accessed services thanks to digital platforms. Ms. Armelle (a French tourist) said that online bookings were quick and convenient; the steps for checking in, paying or booking additional services during the stay were clear and easy to follow. “I just need to choose the date and time in Hanoi and a suitable hotel will be suggested for me to choose from,” Ms. Armelle said.

Or as Ms. Anita Koller - a Swiss tourist shared: "My family often uses online booking because of its convenience. Services such as check-in and payment are simple and you just have to wait until the scheduled check-in time." Thanks to the application of technology, tourists are more proactive and limit direct transaction steps.

Along with the changes from tourists, accommodation facilities in Hanoi are also accelerating digitalization. At Elegance Premium Hotel – Hanoi, the process from booking, check-in to payment is operated on a digital platform.

“The traditional method used to take staff time to check each number, but when applying technology, time and cost management becomes clearer. Automatically updated data helps us limit errors and reduce paperwork,” said Mr. Truong Van Dung, a hotel receptionist.

In addition, switching to a digital platform helps save a significant amount of human resources. “Positions such as receptionists, managers or accountants can be reduced because the system has automated many steps. Processing via applications and computers helps the system become more streamlined while still ensuring service quality,” said Mr. Pham Van Tien, manager of Elegance Premium Hotel.

Smart tourism ecosystem helps improve the quality of tourist services.

Deploying smart tourism ecosystem

These changes in operation take place in the context of Hanoi continuing to affirm its central role in national tourism. In the first 9 months of 2025, the city welcomed more than 26.07 million visitors, an increase of 23.8% over the same period. Total tourism revenue reached 98.36 trillion VND. Hotel room occupancy in September reached 68.6% and the average for the first nine months reached 62.6%. The large-scale accommodation system with more than 3,761 establishments and 71,256 rooms, including 85 hotels from 1 to 5 stars, facilitates data connection and technology-based operations.

Hanoi is implementing a smart tourism ecosystem with a centralized database for quality management and market monitoring. Many destinations are applying 3D technology, virtual reality and flycam for promotion, helping visitors access vivid information before experiencing it directly. The city's tourism application provides real-time information on sightseeing routes, events, traffic and related services, supporting visitors to plan conveniently.

At the same time, Hanoi is promoting the Tinh Hoa Hoi Tu communication campaign, promoting new products and expanding interactions on digital platforms. Regional links such as Hanoi Tam Chuc Trang An or Hanoi Cat Ba Ha Long are promoted to create more choices and extend the length of stay. Product development orientations such as night tourism, community tourism, adventure sports tourism or MICE are all supported by technology to optimize distribution and increase recognition.

Illustration photo.

Technology solutions help reduce operational bottlenecks

Along with the movement of tourists and accommodation establishments, technology businesses are actively participating in the process of improving the operation of the tourism industry. According to Mr. Dang Thanh Trung - Director of ezCloud Global Technology Co., Ltd., many businesses still operate manually, causing data to be scattered and inconsistent.

“The goal of the technology solution is to help customers centralize data, distribute information synchronously and reduce work processing time,” said Mr. Trung.

Technologies such as booking via apps, QR code recognition or cashless payments are widely applied. Transaction steps are fast and reduce direct contact. Travelers can adjust their needs, choose services and track the process on their phones. Businesses can therefore access accurate information and respond more promptly.

The data is aggregated to help monitor service quality and forecast the market in real time. Control of haggling, price gouging, unsanitary conditions or security violations is more tightly organized. Hanoi focuses on coordination between management agencies, businesses and destinations to build a civilized and safe tourism environment. The city also organizes training courses for the tourism community and brings students to major events to increase human resources.

Hanoi has also implemented the orientation of developing tourism infrastructure in each area. The central area is associated with cultural tourism, heritage tourism and night tourism; the West develops ecology and resorts; the North focuses on shopping and sports; the East focuses on MICE activities; the South focuses on craft villages and rural tourism. When combined with a database managed according to digital standards, the areas have the conditions to connect and complement each other, creating a competitive advantage for the whole city.

Technology is creating a foundation for the tourism industry to operate in a more transparent and modern way. Digital applications help tourists access services conveniently, businesses streamline their apparatus and management agencies monitor the market effectively.

Hanoi plays an important role in this process, as many digital models have proven their ability to improve service quality and expand development opportunities. The completion of digital infrastructure and continued expansion of the service ecosystem will help Vietnam's tourism industry consolidate its position in the new growth phase.

Source: Hanoi Moi Newspaper

Source: http://sodulich.hanoi.gov.vn/cong-nghe-mo-ra-ky-nguyen-moi-cho-nganh-du-lich.html