Experience and connect with slow travel.

As life becomes increasingly hectic, travelers are seeking more profound experiences. This is why "slow travel" is gaining popularity, shaping travel trends towards slower pace, longer stays, and deeper connections with the places they visit.

Tourists explore Cuc Phuong National Park.

Instead of focusing on "checking in" at numerous locations, slow tourism offers visitors the opportunity to spend more time at their destination, immersing themselves in the daily lives of the locals, leisurely exploring a highland market, learning to cook a traditional dish, cycling in a coastal fishing village, or simply observing the peaceful rhythm of life in a rural area.

Instead of speed, slow travel emphasizes the experience. Slowing down a bit to achieve balance is the valuable aspect of slow travel.

Based on 25 international travel reports, CNBC forecasts global tourism trends for 2026, shifting the focus away from the number of destinations and towards experiences, sustainability, and a high degree of personalization.

The report indicates that travelers are increasingly interested in secondary destinations—those outside of major tourist centers but capable of offering deeper experiences. This suggests that slow travel is becoming a deliberate choice for global travelers, shifting from consumer-driven to experiential tourism.

Notably, in the list of top slow-travel destinations in Asia recently announced by Agoda, Hoi An in Vietnam topped the list, boasting a charming old town perfect for exploring on foot or by bicycle, offering nostalgic experiences and immersion in diverse local culture. Visitors can participate in cooking classes, visit tailor shops, or stroll through lush green rice fields…

Previously, based on an analysis of traveler search data, Agoda honored Nha Trang, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City as ideal destinations for slow tourism. This recognition, on the one hand, further affirms the attractiveness of Vietnamese tourism in the eyes of international friends, and on the other hand, also shows the great potential in our country for developing slow tourism.

It's easy to see that in recent years, the trend of slow travel has become increasingly prominent in Vietnam. Evidence of this is the growing development of models that encourage tourists to travel less and experience more, such as homestays, farmstays, wellness tourism, community tourism, trekking tours, walking tours, and train travel.

Besides the destinations already recognized by Agoda, many other localities such as Hanoi, Hue, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Lam Dong, Can Tho… places with strengths in natural landscapes and cultural depth are proving the advantages of slow tourism development. Not only does slow tourism help tourists recharge their energy, but it also helps extend their stay, increase their spending at the destination, and motivate local communities to preserve their cultural identity.

Tourists visit Tam Coc tourist site in Ninh Binh.

Slow tourism also helps distribute tourists more evenly, avoiding the risk of overcrowding in a short period, which puts pressure on tourism infrastructure, resources, and the environment. These values ​​align with the orientation of developing green and sustainable tourism associated with preserving Vietnam's cultural identity, as highlighted in many resolutions and strategies, such as Resolution No. 08-NQ/TW on developing tourism into a key economic sector, and Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW dated January 7, 2026, of the Politburo on the development of Vietnamese culture, which also emphasizes the need to develop tourism products with cultural identity, rich experiences, promote green tourism, and reduce emissions.

These are crucial foundations that facilitate the long-term development of slow tourism. According to experts, slow tourism in Vietnam has made significant progress but is still in its early stages and requires comprehensive investment to overcome bottlenecks. The biggest challenge is the need to shift the mindset towards quantity-driven tourism development.

For a long time, many localities have used the number of visitors as a measure of tourism effectiveness, paying little attention to creating in-depth experiences to retain tourists. The consequence is overcrowding during peak seasons, with many visitors arriving but leaving quickly, and destinations facing the risk of commercialization and a decline in local cultural identity.

Dr. Pham Ha, Chairman and CEO of LuxGroup, believes that in the context of global competition, the advantage of low prices will gradually disappear. Instead, destinations that can tell stories, create experiences, and preserve cultural and natural values ​​will be able to create sustainable appeal for tourists.

The question is no longer about how many tourists to welcome, but rather what value each tourist can bring. Therefore, Vietnamese tourism needs to shift from mass tourism to selective tourism, competing on experience, identity, and storytelling instead of price.

It's important to understand that simply staying longer or traveling at a slow pace doesn't necessarily mean slow tourism. The core issue is creating profound experiences that connect with nature and local culture.

According to Mr. Pham Van Bay, Director of Vietravel's Northern Region Individual Travel Center, to keep up with tourist demand, Vietravel has proactively developed a "New Generation" product line, integrating the dual criteria of ESG and LEI, with typical tours such as: Ben Tre - Net Zero Passport, Living Green with the Mekong, and domestic community tourism routes.

While ESG helps ensure environmentally and community-responsible tourism, LEI focuses on experiential value and emotional depth in the journey. This trend is expected to lead the market in the coming period. To pave the way for slow tourism, special attention must be paid to destination management to create an attractive image and green spaces for tourists; specific planning is needed to avoid the replication of models; and local communities should be encouraged to participate directly in providing the tourism value chain to create depth of identity… In this way, slow tourism will contribute to shaping Vietnam as a place worth visiting and returning to.

Text and photos: TRANG ANH

Source: https://nhandan.vn/trai-nghiem-tang-ket-noi-with-du-lich-cham-post961357.html