The High-Level Tourism Forum with the theme "Shaping the Future of Tourism: Towards Digital and Green Transformation" was organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) in coordination with the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, to discuss solutions for digital and green transformation, enhance competitiveness, expand international cooperation, and promote sustainable development of the tourism industry in Vietnam and the region.
Attending the Forum were Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan, Director of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration Nguyen Trung Khanh, leaders and representatives of management agencies of ministries, branches and localities... On the side of international guests and delegates were Minister of Tourism of Cambodia Huot Hak; Deputy Minister of Hotels and Tourism of Myanmar Phyo Zaw Soe; Director of Asia- Pacific Region of the United Nations Tourism Organization Harry Hwang; Director General of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Thapanee Kiatphaibool; Secretary General of the TPO General Assembly Kang Da Eun, along with representatives of leaders of TPO member cities, diplomatic agencies, international organizations, tourism experts...
Speaking at the opening of the Forum, Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism emphasized that "Today's Forum aims to create conditions for ministries, branches, localities, organizations, domestic and international enterprises to exchange experiences, learn, connect and cooperate, propose creative solutions and ideas to promote digital transformation and green transformation to create a sustainable, smart and adaptive future for the tourism industry in line with global trends".
Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, spoke at the forum (photo: Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Newspaper)
The era of strong and urgent transformation of the global and Vietnamese tourism industry
In the context of the world entering an era of strong transformation, the tourism industry is facing an urgent need to restructure towards sustainability, adaptation and innovation with two strategic pillars: digital transformation and green transformation. This is not only an inevitable trend but also a key driving force to help the tourism industry improve management efficiency, expand markets, personalize tourist experiences, and apply big data to the decision-making process, thereby improving national competitiveness and the quality of tourism experiences.
In Decision No. 882/QD-TTg promulgating the National Action Plan on Green Growth for the 2021-2030 period, the Vietnamese Government emphasized the priority of developing tourism types towards green growth and developing green tourism products. Next, in Resolution No. 82/NQ-CP on tasks and solutions to accelerate recovery and sustainable tourism development, the Government continued to direct the tourism sector to develop and implement the Green Tourism Action Program for the 2023-2025 period, contributing to affirming Vietnam's strong commitment to the process of integration and adaptation to the world's sustainable development goals.
Responsible Tourism, Towards Net-Zero - Shaping the Future of Tourism
Along with digital transformation, a major trend that is increasingly urgent and of global concern is green transformation. This is a top priority for countries in the current context as a driving force towards economic recovery, prosperity, environmental sustainability and social justice.
For Vietnam, adapting to climate change is both a responsibility and an opportunity to promote green transformation and sustainable development, contributing to the commitment to gradually eliminate coal-fired thermal power by 2040 and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 (also known as net zero) as stated by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26).
Responsible and Net-Zero tourism is therefore not just a trend but the future of tourism. Achieving the goal of reshaping the way people explore the world will require close cooperation between governments, businesses, local communities and tourists. Policies that encourage sustainable tourism, education programs that raise awareness, and continuous innovation in technology will be key.
Medical Tourism in the trend of digital transformation and green transformation
Along with all aspects of the country's socio-economic development, Vietnam's tourism industry is being strongly promoted towards digitalization, greening and sustainability, in line with global trends and the practical needs of the country. In particular, Medical Tourism is also one of the potential fields, increasingly receiving more attention from the international community in the context of digital transformation improving service quality and green transformation shaping sustainable development standards. Medical Tourism promises to become a breakthrough direction, both bringing economic benefits and contributing to enhancing the image of Vietnam on the tourism map in the direction of tourism products - health care.
Medical Tourism is emerging as a potential field, harmoniously combining high-quality healthcare services and unique tourism experiences, contributing to enhancing the image and competitiveness of Vietnam as a destination.
In order to realize this orientation, within the framework of the High-level Tourism Forum, the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Health on cooperation in developing effective and sustainable medical tourism for the period 2025-2030 was announced.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong and Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan exchanged the Memorandum of Understanding under the witness of Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh and delegates. This is an important milestone, creating a legal foundation and orientation for close cooperation between the two sectors, contributing to the professional, sustainable development and international integration of Vietnam's Medical Tourism.
The forum focused on discussing important contents aiming at the goal of shaping the future of the tourism industry - towards digital transformation and green transformation such as: Overview of the role of digital transformation, green transformation in developing Vietnam's tourism; and solutions towards digital transformation and green transformation in tourism.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong and Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan exchanged the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in developing medical tourism for the period 2025-2030 (photo: Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association)
Speaking at the Forum, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh affirmed: "We need to strongly transform the growth model, using digital transformation as a driving force to improve service quality, tourist experience and management efficiency; green transformation is the foundation for building a tourism industry in harmony with nature, responsible to the community and the environment."
From there, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized six major orientations:
First, continue to improve institutions and innovate thinking about tourism development. We need to shift from the mindset of "growth at all costs" to the mindset of "sustainable development"; from considering tourism as a service industry to seeing tourism as a creative, connected and value-sharing economic sector - a convergence of culture, economy, environment and technology.
Second, strengthen actions and expand international cooperation towards digital transformation and green transformation. In particular, strongly apply smart governance models, share data and knowledge to jointly build a smart, green and sustainable tourism ecosystem.
Third, global commitment and action. I propose that today's Forum should study and develop a set of principles on "Digital Tourism and Green Tourism" - a common framework of standards, encouraging countries and businesses to apply, so that global tourism can develop harmoniously, responsibly and sustainably. Vietnam is ready to accompany, actively contribute and be a responsible member of this initiative.
Fourth, promote regional and industry linkages. Develop sustainable tourism value chains, linking tourism with agriculture, culture, environment and science and technology. From there, form unique, characteristic products with depth and high competitiveness.
Fifth, invest heavily in human resource development. We need to focus on training digital human resources and human resources with knowledge and skills in sustainable development; foster creativity, flexible adaptation and international integration to create a generation of "pioneers" in building a modern and humane tourism industry.
Sixth, support the business community, including small and medium enterprises. It is necessary to continue researching and supplementing appropriate mechanisms and policies, supporting technology and training, encouraging business investment, promoting public-private partnerships, developing effective tourism business models, prioritizing digital tourism and green tourism models."
Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh believes that: "With a common vision and drastic actions, we will create a future of sustainable tourism development, serving people and for people. Vietnam, with its unique cultural identity and magnificent natural landscapes, is ready to open its arms to welcome friends from all five continents. The Vietnamese Government is committed to creating the most favorable conditions for the business community, investors, experts and people to unanimously carry out digital transformation and green transformation, making tourism a strong driving force for sustainable development, a "bridge of hearts", bringing Vietnam to the world and bringing the world to Vietnam"./.
Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/thuc-day-chuyen-doi-so-chuyen-doi-xanh-nham-kien-tao-tuong-lai-du-lich-phat-trien-ben-vung-20250904160106928.htm
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