Hanoi promotes digital transformation, raising the level of tourism in the capital

The Smart Tourism Development Workshop Program was held over 2 days, August 19-20, with 3 topics. Topic 1: Digital transformation of travel and tourism businesses: Application of digital solutions in Marketing, Business and Management of smart travel and tourism businesses; Topic 2: Digital transformation of accommodation establishments: From smart experiences to smart operations; Topic 3: Digital transformation of destinations: Strategy for promoting, managing and developing smart tourism destinations. Topic 1 Workshop aims to equip knowledge and solutions for digital transformation and green transformation to optimize business operations of travel businesses towards smart businesses.

Deputy Director of the Tourism Information and Promotion Center (Hanoi Department of Tourism) Nguyen Huu Viet said that in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution taking place strongly, digital technology has fundamentally changed the way we live, work and connect with the world. For the tourism industry, each touch on the phone can open a new journey. Each technology application can enrich the experiences of tourists. Smart tourism is not only an inevitable trend but has become the key to improving competitiveness, increasing value, and affirming the image of Hanoi, a city of a thousand years of culture, integrating, being strong, rising up to develop and be creative in the times.

Over the years, Hanoi has gradually applied technology in management, promotion, operation and connection. However, to create a comprehensive smart tourism ecosystem, it requires the cooperation of all businesses, hotels, destinations, scientists, technology partners, media and the whole society.

The Smart Tourism Development Workshop was organized with the aim of enhancing the sharing of experiences in smart tourism development models, proposing innovative solutions in applying digital technology to travel, accommodation, and tourist destinations. And most importantly, building a cooperation forum between the government, businesses, and technology units towards a synchronous smart tourism ecosystem in the capital city of Hanoi.

The leaders of the Tourism Information and Promotion Center believe that, with the joint efforts of the business community, support from State management agencies, and the intelligence and creativity of the tourism destination business community, Hanoi will affirm its position as a UNESCO Creative City, a smart, friendly, attractive and sustainable destination on the international tourism map.

Speaking at the workshop, Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Ha Van Sieu highly appreciated the Hanoi Department of Tourism for organizing specialized workshops on smart tourism and digital transformation. This is a timely and practical step to concretize Resolution 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and national digital transformation. This is also an opportunity for the city's tourism industry to take advantage of technological achievements, creating breakthroughs in management, business and product development.

The Deputy Director said that Vietnam's tourism has recently recovered and grown strongly. In the first 7 months of 2025, Vietnam welcomed 12.2 million international visitors, an increase of 23% over the same period in 2024. This year, Vietnam aims to welcome at least 25 million international visitors and 150 million domestic visitors.

Therefore, the development of fast, sustainable, effective, high-quality, competitive tourism, contributing to socio-economic development needs to be discussed in depth and specifically. Currently, the tourism industry has digital transformation and smart tourism development programs, which identify 03 key factors including: technology, people and institutions. These are 03 mandatory requirements to operate in the digital economy, digital society as well as smart tourism.

In terms of technology, focus on applying artificial intelligence, Big Data, digital platforms, software and infrastructure; digitizing data on resources, products, destinations and tourism services. In terms of people, the tourism team must adapt to the digital environment, and continue to be trained, improve awareness and skills in digital transformation, from management, operation, exploitation of technology systems to approaching and serving customers. In terms of institutions, it is necessary to perfect mechanisms, frameworks, and legal corridors, ensure the authenticity and transparency of data, and prevent fake information and virtual data from disrupting the market.

Regarding the provision of smart tourism services, the leaders of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration suggested focusing on three groups: travel, accommodation and destinations. Travel plays the role of an intermediary connection, needs to promote digitalization of operations to optimize services, create smart transaction and connection applications. Accommodation needs to build a roadmap for product digitalization, ensure accurate and timely information, and apply AI in approaching and serving customers. Destinations need to focus on overall and effective management and promotion, while mobilizing and promoting the role of local communities in tourism development.

Deputy Director Ha Van Sieu affirmed that the success of digital transformation does not only depend on technology, but the role of businesses, management agencies, experts and tourism training institutions is extremely important. Businesses need to take advantage of technology to optimize products, programs, services and business administration. Meanwhile, destination management agencies apply technology to promote destinations, connect services and support tourism development. Experts, scientists, training institutions, lecturers guide and advise businesses and localities to have specific and suitable solutions from practice to apply smart tourism.

The leaders of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration hope that today's workshop will be an opportunity for everyone to discuss in depth, discuss the current situation and solutions for developing smart tourism; how to promote the role and elevate the capital's tourism in applying science and technology to promote digital transformation and develop smart tourism.

The workshop listened to a number of thematic presentations on Digital Transformation in Vietnam, action programs to promote the application of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation in the tourism sector; Automation Marketing Strategy in the travel business; Application of AI and digital solutions in the management and operation of travel businesses; Solutions for automatic tourism business management; Solutions for building smart and safe digital infrastructure in the tourism sector; Compliance with legal regulations on collecting, processing and exploiting tourism data, and guidance for businesses. At the workshop, delegates, experts and guests exchanged and discussed in depth the application of digital solutions in marketing, business and management of smart travel and tourism businesses.

Regarding the field of digital transformation in tourism and travel businesses, Mr. Nguyen Quyet Tam - Chairman of the Board of Directors of VietISO Joint Stock Company said that this is an inevitable activity in the digital age, not only optimizing management activities, promoting innovation and creativity, but also helping to exploit resources, resources, business growth, improving competitiveness, and developing sustainable businesses. Besides the benefits and importance of digital transformation for tourism and travel businesses, there are still difficulties, so strategic planning for this issue is extremely necessary. One of the effective solutions for digital transformation in tourism and travel businesses is to apply technology to support online management and operation, build tour programs, build tour quotes, etc.

Introducing Marketing Automation, Mr. Nguyen Viet Duc - CEO of Unica Solution Joint Stock Company, said that this is the use of software and technology to automate daily repetitive marketing tasks. Marketing Automation is opening up a new way to centrally manage customer data, build automatic sales funnels, attract and care for potential customers, and expand business - every aspect is analyzed in detail with practical examples from the Tourism industry. Applying this tool not only contributes to improving customer experience but also helps increase revenue, save costs and resources.

According to Ms. Nguyen Mai Huong - Sales Director of SE2 Center, CMC Telecommunication Infrastructure Joint Stock Company, the tourism industry currently revolves around satisfying consumers' needs for experience. Tourists value personalized travel experiences and appreciate smart travel applications; are interested in local and regional cuisine; prioritize discovery and adventure in their trips. Advanced technology trends are reshaping the travel experience, from planning to the end of the trip. Grasping and applying them is the key to creating unique and personalized experiences. To meet these requirements and criteria, it is necessary to build a flexible digital infrastructure that operates stably even during peak seasons; build a digital infrastructure with a secure and reliable data platform, protecting the digital assets of businesses; form a connected tourism ecosystem - data is synchronized and shared throughout the systems; Put information security and customer confidentiality as the foundation for sustainable development.

The application of digital transformation in tourism and travel businesses also needs to ensure compliance with, disseminate, and widely guide legal regulations on data collection, processing, and exploitation to businesses. Mr. Nguyen Quang Dong - Director of the Institute for Policy Research and Media Development gave an overview of the application of these legal regulations, clearly stating specific obligations, administrative, technical, and operational. At the same time, it is also recommended to comply with the review and classification of internal data between personal and non-personal data; assign internal personnel in charge of data issues; prepare administrative procedures, including types of impact assessment records; develop internal data protection policies and procedures; build a culture of data protection and respect for privacy within the organization.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/ha-noi-thuc-day-chuyen-doi-so-nang-tam-du-lich-thu-do-20250820095225035.htm