THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi, Vietnam’s vibrant capital, achieved a significant milestone in global tourism as its delegation from the Hanoi Department of Tourism participated in the inaugural Global City Tourism Summit 2025 (GCTS 25) held in Busan, South Korea, from October 26 to 31.
Global leaders converge at the first Global Cities Tourism Summit 2025 in Busan, South Korea. Photo: GCTS 25
Under the theme “Fostering Tourism and Local Culture Through Innovation and Collaboration,” the summit convened city officials, national tourism boards, industry experts, and media representatives from across the globe.
Hanoi’s participation was both strategic and timely, reflecting its commitment to embracing global trends in urban tourism while fostering deeper connections with international visitors.
In the first nine months of 2025, Hanoi welcomed approximately 26.07 million visitors, a 23.8% increase year-on-year, including 5.54 million international tourists—a 26% rise compared to the same period in 2024.
Tourism revenue during this period surged to VND98.36 trillion (US$4.01 billion), marking a 20.7% annual growth.
These impressive figures underscored Hanoi’s growing appeal as a premier global travel destination, providing a robust backdrop for the city’s delegation at the summit.
Addressing the summit, Tran Trung Hieu, Vice Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, emphasized the event as a platform to showcase Hanoi’s diverse tourism offerings: luxury culinary experiences, wellness and healthcare tourism, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) tourism, and community-based initiatives.
Throughout the summit, the Hanoi delegation actively engaged in plenary sessions, thematic discussions on digital transformation in tourism, bilateral dialogues, and experiential site visits.
These activities provided opportunities to highlight Hanoi’s tourism revitalization efforts, blending domestic growth with international outreach.
Participation in thematic seminars granted Hanoi access to best practices in sustainable destination management and urban cultural tourism.
Additionally, networking opportunities in Busan enabled Hanoi to establish strategic partnerships, further promoting its rich culture, heritage, and urban evolution.
Hanoi delegates actively engage at GCTS 25. Photo: Thu Hang
To support sustainable development, Hanoi officials gathered insights on enhancing infrastructure, improving digital services, refining premium experiences, and fostering international brand collaborations.
With its rich heritage embodied in the Old Quarter and historic landmarks, coupled with a modernizing hospitality sector, Hanoi is positioning itself as an unforgettable urban tourism hub.
By emphasizing innovation rooted in tradition, GCTS 25 marked a pivotal step toward deeper collaboration among global tourism cities, setting the stage for a more interconnected, culture-driven future in international travel.
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