Hanoi Moi Newspaper had an interview with Director of Hanoi Department of Tourism Dang Huong Giang about effective solutions to stimulate tourism, increase the number of tourists sustainably, and successfully achieve the set goals.

Solid Leverage for Tourism Year 2025

- In 2024, the capital's tourism industry will achieve spectacular results with the total number of tourists to Hanoi reaching 27.88 million, an increase of 12.7% compared to 2023. How will this increase be maintained in the first months of 2025, sir?

- In 2024, international tourists to Hanoi will grow by 34.8% compared to the previous year and recover by 91% compared to 2019. Total revenue from tourists will reach VND 110.66 trillion, up 18.5% compared to 2023 (up 6.5% compared to 2019).

This growth momentum will continue in the first quarter of 2025, with Hanoi estimated to welcome 7.3 million visitors, an increase of 8.7% over the same period in 2024. Of which, international tourists are estimated to reach 1.85 million. Total revenue from tourists is estimated at VND 29,930 billion, an increase of 11.3% over the same period in 2024. In April, with the 5-day April 30 and May 1 holidays, the number of visitors to the capital is expected to continue to increase.

- To achieve this growth momentum, what solutions has the capital's tourism industry implemented?

- The capital's tourism industry has made great efforts to maintain the growth rate. In particular, it has seriously implemented Resolution No. 82/NQ-CP dated May 18, 2023 of the Government on key tasks and solutions to accelerate recovery and accelerate effective and sustainable tourism development. Specifically, the industry focuses on strengthening state management of tourism; focusing on consolidating existing product and service systems and building new products and services; actively transforming digitally; strengthening domestic and international cooperation; promoting inspection and examination work to ensure civilization and professionalism in the tourism environment...

Currently, the markets of foreign countries sending tourists to Hanoi have all had quite good growth, especially from countries such as: Korea, China, India, the United States...

- Despite good growth momentum, experts predict that Vietnam's tourism industry in general and the capital's tourism industry in particular are still facing many difficulties and challenges. What do you think those difficulties and challenges are?

- Tourism is a comprehensive economic sector, affected by many factors, both inside and outside the industry, so it can always face challenges and risks. The fluctuations in the world economy, politics, society; the development of science and technology; the impact of climate change and other global issues have had, are having and will have a certain impact on the development of the tourism industry, creating new tourism trends with opportunities and challenges. The big problem for the tourism industry in the country in general and Hanoi in particular is how to not only increase the number of visitors but also retain visitors for longer stays, with more diverse and quality experiences.

Stimulate summer tourism

- How do you evaluate the 2025 summer tourist season in Hanoi this year?

- Although the golden time for tourism in Hanoi is autumn and winter, over the years, the capital's tourism industry has proactively invested in and developed four-season tourism, so that every season has its own unique products to attract tourists. This year, according to data from Google, the volume of international searches for accommodation in Vietnam increased by 45% in the first half of February 2025, in which the capital Hanoi is one of the most popular destinations for international tourists. The number of visitors from the United States, Australia, India, Japan, Korea, Singapore... searching for information about Vietnam tourism in general and Hanoi tourism in particular is very positive.

According to the world's leading online travel platform Tripadvisor, in 2025, Hanoi will rank 2nd in the world's top 25 cultural destinations; and 7th in the world's top 25 destinations. This is the basis for believing that the number of tourists, especially international visitors, to Hanoi will continue to increase in the summer of 2025.

- To attract tourists in the summer, what measures does the capital's tourism industry have to retain visitors for longer stays and to spend more?

- Responding to the campaign "Vietnamese people prioritize using Vietnamese goods" and the 2025 tourism stimulus program with the theme "Vietnam - Travel to love" of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, from April 2025, the Hanoi Department of Tourism has implemented the program "Hanoi people and tourists experience services at 4-5 star hotels in Hanoi", focusing on the low season of summer and major holidays. One of the highlights of the program is the preferential packages on the occasion of Vietnamese Family Day (June 28).

Accordingly, from June 22 to 29, many hotels in Hanoi will offer preferential packages of up to 50% off room rates, along with many additional amenities for families to experience hotel services, as well as explore scenic spots, cuisine, and culture. We hope that this program will bring residents and visitors a unique and new experience, contributing to stimulating tourism demand during the low season.

In addition, the Hanoi Tourism industry is building many new tourism products, connecting routes in the inner city and suburbs to enhance the experience for tourists such as: "South Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Road" tourism route in Thanh Tri, Thuong Tin, Phu Xuyen districts; experiential tourism products associated with heritage at Ha Mo tourist site (Dan Phuong district); community tourism model associated with experiencing traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities in An Phu commune (My Duc district); agricultural - rural tourism model in Tich Giang commune (Phuc Tho district)...

In addition, the central tourist route Hanoi - Quoc Oai - Thach That is being upgraded; the river tourist route Chuong Duong Do - Bat Trang - Chu Dong Tu Temple is being completed... Hanoi is also actively connecting with localities with strengths in summer tourism to build attractive inter-route products such as: Hanoi - Ha Long (Quang Ninh), Hanoi - Thai Nguyen...

- The Prime Minister has signed and issued Official Dispatch No. 34/CD-TTg on promoting tourism development and ensuring double-digit economic growth. What should the capital's tourism industry do to realize this goal, sir?

- Currently, the capital's tourism industry has divided into specific phases to implement this strategy. In particular, the industry strives to welcome more than 30 million visitors, including more than 7 million international visitors, in 2025; total revenue from tourists reaches over 130 trillion VND.

Regarding solutions, in addition to building many new tourism products as mentioned above, organizing effective tourism stimulus campaigns, the capital's tourism industry also organizes many promotional events such as: Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival, Hanoi Autumn Festival, Hanoi Tourism Ao Dai Festival; participating in international tourism fairs and organizing domestic and international tourism promotion.

In the period 2026-2030, the tourism industry proposed breakthrough goals, targets and tasks contributing to an increase of 10.5-11% of the city's Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP). By 2030, the tourism industry strives to welcome about 46 million tourists, including about 12 million international visitors. Total revenue from tourists will reach VND 280 trillion.

During this period, the capital's tourism sector prioritizes investment in tourism infrastructure, striving to form 3 national tourist areas in the city, including: Ba Vi tourist area; Huong Son scenic relic tourist area; Hoan Kiem Lake - vicinity tourist area and Hanoi Old Quarter.

In addition, Hanoi strives to build 3 to 5 city-level tourist areas, including the West Lake Tourist Area and surrounding areas; develop 10 to 20 new 4-5 star hotel and resort complexes. Hanoi will periodically implement major product promotion and advertising programs in key markets such as India, North America, EU, etc.; focus resources on building and developing a smart tourism ecosystem associated with digital transformation, etc.

- Thank you very much, comrade!