THE HANOI TIMES — On the afternoon of October 18, the Hanoi Department of Tourism, in collaboration with the Phuc Tho People’s Committee, co-hosted a pivotal conference in Phuc Tho Commune, themed “Fostering Partnerships to Develop and Diversify Tourism Offerings.”
This event underscored the critical role of collaboration in crafting sustainable tourism experiences, strengthening ties among government bodies, businesses, and local communities.
Building Bridges for Tourism Growth
Conference venue: “Fostering Partnerships to Develop and Diversify Tourism Offerings”
In his opening address, Tran Trung Hieu, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, highlighted Hanoi’s robust tourism recovery and impressive growth trajectory.
During the first nine months of 2025, Hanoi welcomed 25.94 million visitors, marking a 23.2% increase compared to the same period in 2024. International arrivals reached 5.47 million, up 24.4%. Tourism revenue soared to VND98,290 billion (US$4 billion), reflecting a 20.6% growth.
“These figures not only showcase resilience but also cement Hanoi’s leadership in the tourism sectors of both the Northern region and the nation,” Hieu remarked.
He noted Hanoi’s recent expansion into diverse tourism offerings, moving beyond cultural attractions to include craft village tours, community-based experiences, agro-tourism, and rural eco-tourism. Notable areas include Phuc Tho, Dai Thanh, Ngoc Hoi, Hong Van, Chuyen My, O Dien, Ba Vi, and Phu Dong.
According to Hieu, this diversification sets the stage for a new development phase centered on the “government-business-community” collaboration model. The aim is to create a cohesive tourism product chain that connects Hanoi’s urban core with its surrounding districts.
“Fostering partnerships and diversifying tourism offerings are not just essential but are key to enhancing Hanoi’s economic value and cultural identity, all while promoting green, sustainable tourism,” he concluded.
The conference featured insightful contributions from leading tourism experts.
Kieu Trong Sy, Chairman of the Phuc Tho People’s Committee, emphasized the locality’s efforts to leverage its cultural and natural assets to develop unique tourism products. These initiatives connect historical and spiritual heritage with traditional craft villages and rural landscapes.
Phuc Tho is home to 73 historical sites, 40 of which are officially recognized. These include one Special National Relic (Tuong Phieu Communal House), 10 National Relics, and 29 City-Level Relics.
The Tuong Phieu Communal House Festival, a long-standing village tradition, has been honored as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. This festival serves as a spiritual cornerstone in exploring the cultural essence of the Doai region, the ancient western land of Thang Long–Hanoi.
Chairman Sy shared that the commune is collaborating with the Hanoi Department of Tourism to launch a new rural tourism model, “Flower Colors of Tuong Phieu.” This initiative integrates spiritual tourism, eco-tourism, and agri-tourism into a unified visitor experience.
Additionally, the locality is finalizing a proposal to recognize the Tich Giang Rural Tourism Site as a city-level destination. Efforts are also underway to strengthen connections with nearby relics and craft villages, aiming to build an intra-regional tourism value chain that enhances visitor appeal and local economic development.
Attendees toured Tuong Phieu Communal House, a highlight of Phuc Tho’s cultural tourism offerings.
“With its natural landscapes, historical relics, and thriving ornamental plant industry, Phuc Tho holds immense potential for eco-tourism development. By integrating spiritual tourism and farming experiences, this approach aligns with current trends, supporting cultural preservation while creating sustainable livelihoods for local communities,” affirmed Chairman Sy.
Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Director of the Institute of Tourism Economics, offered a broader perspective on Hanoi’s tourism development strategy. He emphasized that the capital is entering a new “window of opportunity” to restructure and elevate its tourism product ecosystem toward greater diversity, innovation, sustainability, and digital integration.
“Hanoi must evolve beyond being just a sightseeing destination. It needs to become a hub of experiences, creativity, and events, driven by three key pillars: regional linkage, digital transformation, and green growth,” Dr. Tuan stated.
A signing ceremony marked the tourism development partnership between communes in the culturally rich Xu Doai region, west of Hanoi.
Dr. Tuan further noted that the Capital Planning for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050, has laid the foundation for a new development framework. This will enable the formation of five priority tourism product clusters: heritage tourism; craft village and eco-tourism; wellness and MICE tourism; event and culinary tourism; and night and smart tourism.
“Hanoi’s challenge is not a lack of potential but the need for flexible policies, open data access, and effective public-private partnerships to transform that potential into real value,” he emphasized.
Echoing this perspective, Vu Van Tuyen, CEO of Travelogy Vietnam, stressed that the key to developing rural tourism lies in awakening local pride and a spirit of learning.
He explained that with proper guidance and inspiration from successful models like Da Lat or Sa Dec, rural communities can confidently and systematically participate in tourism. This not only helps preserve the identity of traditional crafts but also shapes a green, clean, and livable countryside.
“Tourism is about crafting experiences that bring peace to visitors and inspire them to return,” Tuyen shared. “When people embrace tourism as a way of life and take pride in their gardens and villages, true transformation begins in the countryside.”
Promoting Green, Sustainable Tourism
Tuong Phieu Village’s ancient communal house stands out for its remarkable traditional architecture.
A key topic that garnered significant attention at the conference was the role of digital transformation in local tourism development.
Phung Quang Thang, Chairman of the Vietnam Green Tourism Association, emphasized: “Digital transformation goes beyond simply applying technology—it represents a fundamental shift in tourism thinking, spanning product design, promotion, and regional connectivity.”
He stressed the urgent need for localities to build a unified tourism database linked to the national system, alongside investing in digital skills training for officials, businesses, and communities.
Creating a network of digital connections between regions and localities will enable smart, sustainable tourism routes with unique identities.
Phung Quang Thang, Chairman of the Vietnam Green Tourism Association, shared his insights at the conference.
Chairman Thang also highlighted how technologies like Big Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR), and Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping can uncover market trends, enhance visitor experiences, and vividly convey each locality’s cultural and heritage stories.
“When technology is used effectively, destinations can digitize their identities, showcasing Hanoi’s tourism to the world as modern, green, and compelling,” he concluded.
He also introduced an automatic tour guide app available in 15 languages, designed to enhance the experience of visitors exploring Tuong Phieu Village in Phuc Tho Commune.
This app allows tourists to appreciate the beauty and understand the significance of each site, especially as locals are still adapting to providing guided commentary. By doing so, it significantly enriches the visitor experience in Tuong Phieu Village.
Empowering People: The Future of Tourism
Delegates explored the vibrant ornamental garden of Hoang Van Trao, a dedicated farmer from Tuong Phieu Village, Phuc Tho Commune.
Drawing on her extensive experience in cultural heritage and tourism planning in Vietnam, D.Arch Nguyen Thu Hanh, President of the Association of Science for Sustainable Tourism Development (STDe), emphasized that successful tourism development at heritage sites requires Hanoi to research and invest in building a tourism product chain rooted in the core, outstanding values of its heritage. This approach will foster diversity and uniqueness—key attractions for visitors.
She stressed that from the very beginning of product development, heritage values must be thoroughly and thoughtfully assessed, viewing traditional resources through a fresh lens. This evaluation should consider multiple dimensions, both material and spiritual, across past, present, and future contexts.
“To realize effective tourism planning, the government must raise public awareness and provide initial capital incentives, enabling local communities to actively participate in the value chain of product creation,” Dr. Hanh said.
She added that establishing a clear and fair benefit-sharing mechanism is crucial to tightly connect managers, researchers, businesses, and locals in transforming the product chain into reality.
Farmer Hoang Van Trao from Tuong Phieu Village, Phuc Tho Commune, introduced visitors to the variety of plants cultivated in his garden.
At the event, Ha Van Sieu, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, praised the efforts of the Hanoi Department of Tourism and Phuc Tho Commune for organizing the forum.
He highlighted Hanoi’s dual role as the nation’s political and administrative center and one of Vietnam’s most attractive destinations. With its rich heritage sites, craft villages, diverse cuisine, and vibrant urban landscapes, Hanoi is well-positioned to become a green, sustainable, and creative tourism hub for the country.
English Set to Become Vietnam’s Official Second Language by 2035
THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam is set to elevate English to the status of its second official language in education by 2035, as part of a groundbreaking national initiative approved earlier this month. This move signifies a significant leap toward global integration and enhanced workforce competitiveness. Endorsed on October 30, the project, titled “English as […]
Unlocking Potential: Hanoi Hosts Youth Dialogue to Drive Innovation and Civic Engagement
THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi’s Chairman, Tran Sy Thanh, is set to engage in a dialogue with 250 young individuals on November 27. The discussion will focus on youth policies, innovation, and their pivotal role in the capital’s development, as announced by the Hanoi People’s Committee. A young participant poses a question during the 2024 […]
Quang Ninh Food Festival 2025: A Culinary Extravaganza from October 30 to November 2
Experience the ultimate culinary journey at the Quang Ninh Food Festival 2025, themed *”Quang Ninh – Convergence of the Best Food”*. From October 30 to November 2, Sun Carnival Square in Bai Chay ward will transform into a gastronomic paradise, showcasing the finest flavors and culinary traditions of the region. Don’t miss this extraordinary celebration of food, culture, and community!
Hanoi Authorities Spearhead Science, Technology, and Digital Transformation Initiatives
THE HANOI TIMES — In a recent development, the Hanoi People’s Committee has released Official Dispatch No. 5514/UBND-DMPT, calling on all departments, agencies, and local authorities to promptly assess and finalize tasks related to science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. Hanoi accelerates innovation and digital transformation efforts, urging departments to meet 2025 deadlines. Photo: Kinh […]
Hanoi Beverage Festival 2025: Celebrating Culinary Diversity and Boosting Tourism
Experience the ultimate celebration of flavors at the Hanoi Beverage Festival 2025, hosted at the vibrant Tay Ho Creative Cultural Space. Immerse yourself in a world of exquisite food and drinks, designed to captivate both locals and visitors alike. This festival not only promises a rich sensory experience but also showcases Hanoi as a must-visit destination during the year-end travel season.
