Vietnam on the map of 'slow living destinations'

(PLVN) - In recent years, Vietnam has quickly become a popular destination for international tourists seeking relaxation and health care. Many foreign travel sites have recognized Vietnam as one of the top "slow living destinations" in Asia.

Much untapped potential

Recently, The Times of India (a nearly 190-year-old newspaper in India) introduced Hoi An - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - as "a gem of affordable health care". The newspaper wrote: This ancient town shimmering with lanterns offers affordable yoga courses, traditional Vietnamese spa treatments and many attractive body cleansing programs. Hoi An skillfully combines classical architecture with comprehensive therapies, easily conquering visitors. If you are looking for a rustic resort, Hoi An is the perfect choice. Joining the list of "Top 05 health care destinations in Asia" are famous resort destinations such as Bali (Indonesia), Kerala (India), Minakami (Japan), Chiang Mai (Thailand).

Meanwhile, the Spa & Wellness Australia website reported that the number of searches for the keyword “spa holidays in Vietnam” has increased by 175% in the past 12 months, surpassing many countries in the region. The report stated that the wellness tourism trend is witnessing a wise choice of those looking for a balance of life at a more affordable cost compared to Bali or Thailand - famous destinations that are becoming more expensive and crowded.

The site also notes that Vietnam, known for its golden beaches, vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes, is fast becoming one of the world’s most sought-after destinations for intensive retreats and restorative treatments. Interest in this type of tourism is growing as more and more travelers seek a place to relax, recharge and reconnect with themselves. Combining traditional therapies with modern wellness trends, luxury spa resorts in Vietnam offer the ideal space to heal both body and mind.

Along with that, Tatler Asia recently ranked a number of Vietnamese resorts in the list of the most outstanding health destinations in Asia. In particular, TIA Wellness Resort Da Nang is especially mentioned as an East-West fusion model, with yoga, meditation, sauna, vegan food and detox packages. This resort is gradually dominating on Tripadvisor and Booking.com, especially attracting middle-class female tourists from Europe and America. Outstanding resorts in the health tourism line in Vietnam also include: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay (Khanh Hoa), Nam Hai Resort (Quang Nam)... Notably, in June, Vietnam also hosted Global Wellness Day in Da Nang, marking an important step in affirming the national brand of health tourism.

The "problem" of positioning in the era of slow, green and healthy living

Despite making impressive strides on the Asian wellness map, Vietnam still faces many significant challenges - especially in the context of fierce competition from countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia or India. These are all countries that have gone ahead, have a methodical development strategy and a clear early position in the field of wellness tourism.

Indonesia, especially the island of Bali, continues to be an iconic destination for spiritual, meditation and detox tourism. Bali is famous not only for its natural scenery and indigenous culture, but also for the way they make “wellness lifestyle” a part of their tourism identity. Here, intensive resort models such as sound healing, yoga combined with rituals, or resorts associated with Buddhist meditation and whole vegetarianism have flourished, attracting a large number of tourists from the US, Europe and Australia. Indonesia has also implemented a national strategy for wellness tourism, with clear directions for key areas, while encouraging business development in this field.

Malaysia, although less competitive, has still established a foothold through a model that combines medical tourism and healthcare, with a modern hospital system closely linked to hotels and resorts. They position “wellness” customers as a group that needs to combine physical - mental - intensive medical recovery, thereby expanding the high-end tourism segment.

Meanwhile, India is the “cradle” of yoga, Ayurveda and Vipassana meditation – three pillars of global spiritual tourism. Centers such as Rishikesh, Kerala or Dharamsala are always on the list of top destinations for international “wellness” tourists, thanks to their prestige, philosophical depth and rich therapeutic culture. However, it is the solid foundation and deep understanding of “wellness” that can make India a potential tourist market for Vietnam. Despite having top treatment centers, not all Indian tourists are looking for a deep healing experience at home. Many want to explore new destinations, with more reasonable costs and combined therapies, where they can both relax and experience unique culture as the article in The Times of India suggested. Indeed, if Vietnam's tourism industry can take advantage of its diverse landscape, affordable costs and the development of modern "wellness" resorts, it can fully meet the diverse needs of the Indian market, turning them from competitors into valuable sources of visitors.

In general, despite its great potential, compared to other leading countries in the field of wellness tourism, Vietnam's tourism industry still lacks a clear positioning strategy. The lack of connection between localities, between service facilities and state policies has caused the "wellness" tourism sector in Vietnam to develop unevenly, failing to create a complete product chain.

Another notable weakness is the lack of standardization in service quality and human resources. Many spas and resorts are still operating spontaneously, lacking formal training programs and international practice certificates, making the tourist experience sometimes inconsistent. This affects the ability to retain high-end customers, who are very concerned about reliability, reputation and global standards. In addition, the presence of Vietnamese brands on international platforms is still limited. While Thai, Balinese or Indian resorts have been densely present in international press channels and specialized pages such as Retreat Guru, Healing Hotels of the World, or Global Wellness Institute, the names of Vietnamese "wellness" destinations are still not widely known.

In the context of the increasingly sophisticated global “wellness” trend, aiming at “true healing” instead of just temporary relaxation, Vietnam needs to act quickly to avoid being left behind. The real question is: How can Vietnam not only be a cheap destination, but also a destination with depth, its own “quality”, truly understanding and meeting the needs of “wellness” tourists? This is not only a challenge for the tourism industry, but also a “problem” of developing a national brand in the era of slow living, green living and healthy living.

Wellness tourism has become a prominent trend globally. According to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), wellness tourism is witnessing an impressive growth rate, with an annual increase of 21% from 2020 to 2025. The market is forecast to surpass the $1 trillion mark by 2025 and reach over $2 trillion by 2034.

Do Trang

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/viet-nam-tren-ban-do-diem-den-song-cham-post553302.html