Hanoi builds digital ecosystem for green growth goals

– What turns a quiet Hanoi into a vibrant, vibrant destination, continuously receiving prestigious titles from organizations around the world? Not only the beauty of a thousand years of culture, the answer also lies in the capital's dual transformation: the determination to carry out digital transformation and green transformation. This is the compass for sustainable development, bringing Hanoi Tourism step by step to create a new stature.

The numbers "talk"

According to a report from the Hanoi Department of Tourism , in the period 2022 - 2024 alone, the total number of tourists to the capital increased by an average of over 21% per year. This shows the impressive growth of the capital's tourism.

More notably, the flow of international visitors has returned strongly, increasing by an average of over 81%, while domestic visitors have also increased by nearly 12%. In 2024, Hanoi welcomed up to 27.88 million visitors, with total revenue reaching nearly 111 trillion VND, contributing about 7.8% to the city's GRDP. These figures are a testament to the attractiveness and great potential of the capital's tourism economy .

In 2025, the capital Hanoi has been continuously honored by prestigious tourism platforms. TripAdvisor voted Hanoi into the Top 25 World's Leading Cultural Destinations (2nd place), Top 25 World's Leading Destinations (7th place), and even Top 25 Most Favorite Destinations of All Time (14th place). Time Out magazine also ranked Hanoi 9th out of 20 most prominent cultural and artistic cities in the world.

In particular, on the occasion of National Day September 2, 2025, during the 4-day holiday, Hanoi welcomed 2.08 million visitors, 3 times higher than the same period in 2024. Tourism revenue also skyrocketed, reaching 4,500 billion VND, an increase of about 80%. These numbers are a strong testament to the attraction of the Capital, where historical relics, cultural spaces and modern festivals blend together to create a strong appeal.

Need a solid “backbone” for digital transformation

If Hanoi tourism is like a machine, then digital transformation is the powerful engine that helps the machine operate smoothly and effectively. This story is no longer just a theory, but has been proven by a typical case: the special national relic of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam.

Surely many people still remember the familiar image of the past: long lines of people standing in the sun waiting to buy paper tickets, chaotic scenes, and overcrowding during holidays. It was a problem for the management board, and also an unpleasant experience for visitors. However, in just a few years, everything has changed. By pioneering the application of electronic ticketing system, Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam has completely solved this problem. Now, visitors can easily buy tickets online, pay through many channels and use QR codes to enter the gate. This not only solves the problem of congestion, but also brings outstanding benefits.

It can be seen that the digital system has automated almost the entire ticket sales and access control process. This significantly reduces printing costs, personnel management and minimizes financial loss. All transactions are recorded transparently and instantly. Travelers no longer have to carry cash or wait long. They can proactively arrange their schedules and enjoy their trip to the fullest.

Digital transformation also opens the door to data, which is one of the greatest values ​​it brings. Data from the ticketing system is systematically collected and analyzed. Management can know the number of visitors by hour, day, month; know their nationality and even their preferences. This is a “gold mine” of information, helping to plan tourism product development strategies more accurately, effectively and scientifically than ever before.

However, for the digital revolution to spread throughout the capital, a larger strategy is needed. The story of the Temple of Literature is just the beginning. To truly create a “smart tourism city”, it is necessary to first build a shared digital platform. Instead of each destination developing its own system, Hanoi needs an interconnected “network” where all destinations, accommodations and services are connected. This platform will act as a central “connecting axis” where data is centralized, making it easy for tourists to plan, book services and pay on just one application. This creates a seamless ecosystem, helping to manage more synchronously and effectively.

By collecting and analyzing big data from electronic ticketing systems, public wifi, or travel applications, the city can “listen” to the behavior, interests and habits of tourists. “What do they like?”, “Where do they go?”, “How long do they stay?” – these questions will be answered by data. This is the basis for building tourism products for each target group, thereby improving promotion efficiency and optimizing revenue.

Digital transformation requires a solid “backbone”. Hanoi needs to invest in high-speed network infrastructure, powerful server systems and especially network information security. This not only ensures the smooth operation of digital systems but also protects visitors’ personal data, building trust and peace of mind when they use digital services.

However, technology is just a tool, people are the deciding factor. Hanoi needs to organize intensive training programs and foster digital skills for managers and employees at destinations. Digital transformation needs to be integrated into thinking, from leaders to each employee, to create a real revolution.

Digital transformation does not stop at replacing paper tickets with QR codes. It is a comprehensive transformation process, from infrastructure, institutions to people, to build a smart, modern, and competitive Hanoi tourism ecosystem.

Green growth for sustainable development

Along with advances in digital transformation, Hanoi also identifies green transformation as an indispensable strategic pillar for sustainable tourism development.

Hanoi currently has many "bright spots" for green tourism such as Ba Vi and Huong Son eco-tourism areas with rich landscape and religious values, or famous lakes such as Hoan Kiem and West Lake right in the city center.

However, to truly become a comprehensive “green destination”, the city needs to tighten environmental management, strictly handle violations, plan tourism spaces and invest in more environmentally friendly forms of tourism. Most importantly, it is necessary to change awareness, from the government, businesses to each tourist, to work together to build a responsible tourism industry.

With the consensus of the government, businesses and people, Hanoi is creating a smart, sustainable tourism model that still retains its thousand-year-old cultural identity. This is not only a technical revolution but also a comprehensive, synchronous strategy, from awareness to action, from institutions to infrastructure, from human resources to ecosystems so that Hanoi can truly become a leading "tourist city" in the region, attractive and captivating.

Source: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

Source: http://sodulich.hanoi.gov.vn/ha-noi-xay-dung-he-sinh-thai-so-vi-muc-tieu-tang-truong-xanh.html