A recent conference brought together nearly 250 delegates, including representatives from the Departments of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; tourism associations from various provinces and cities; and 20 travel agencies. This event took place against the backdrop of recent administrative mergers across several regions, creating a vastly expanded “new tourism space” ripe with potential. The conference aimed to leverage these changes to develop collaborative tourism initiatives that boost both domestic and international visitation.
Expanding Horizons: A New Era of Regional Tourism Collaboration
The newly expanded administrative regions, particularly the unification of provinces like Đắk Lắk, now present an unprecedented opportunity. According to Trần Hồng Tiến, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in Đắk Lắk province, “The recent merger of Phú Yên and Đắk Lắk, as per the central government’s plan, has opened up a new space for tourism development, harmoniously combining the aspirations of the blue sea and the majestic highlands, the pristine natural scenery and the depth of indigenous culture, creating a new unified entity, an “expanded Đắk Lắk” with immense combined advantages.” This expansion positions Đắk Lắk not only as the “Capital of Coffee” and durian but also as a prime destination encompassing both sea and mountains, effectively connecting the Central Highlands with the central coast. This linkage creates unique tourism products: imagining a sunrise on the coast followed by an afternoon immersed in the sounds of the Central Highlands’ gongs. This geographical synergy, coupled with increased collaboration with Hanoi – a major tourism hub – is deemed strategically crucial in shaping an East-West tourism corridor, and ultimately furthering the socio-economic development of both the South Central Coast and the Central Highlands.
Hanoi: The Gateway to Diverse Vietnamese Experiences
Trần Trung Hiếu, Deputy Director of Hanoi’s Department of Tourism, underscored Hanoi’s multifaceted role: “Hanoi is not only a political and cultural center but also an international gateway. Đắk Lắk and Gia Lai offer unique Central Highlands cultural experiences, with traditional festivals, music, coffee, the beauty of pristine forests, majestic highlands, and abundant potential for island tourism. The central and Central Highlands provinces — Khánh Hòa, Lâm Đồng, Gia Lai, Quảng Ngãi, and others — possess coastlines, highlands, and a rich heritage system. Through collaboration, we can create a diverse range of products, from coastal resorts and highland exploration to urban cultural experiences, capable of attracting both domestic and international tourists.” This statement highlights Hanoi’s positioning as a crucial distribution point for tourists, funneling visitors towards the diverse offerings of central and southern Vietnam.
Strategic Tourism Product Development: Leveraging Regional Strengths
The conference focused on developing interconnected tourism products, emphasizing regional strengths and collaborations. Specific strategies highlighted by Mr. Hiếu included:
Cultural and Heritage Tourism:
Focusing on historical and cultural heritage sites in Hanoi, Quảng Ngãi, traditional festivals, and unique craft villages to create in-depth cultural tours. The goal is to attract both domestic and international tourists and extend their stay durations.
Nature and Experiential Tourism:
Linking the eco-tourism, resort, and wellness strengths of Lâm Đồng and Khánh Hòa with the unique natural landscapes of the Central Highlands (Đắk Lắk and Gia Lai). This aims to create experiential tours focused on nature exploration and discovery.
Culinary and Shopping Tourism:
Showcasing Hanoi’s distinctive cuisine, combined with local specialties from other regions, to create diverse and attractive culinary tourism trails.
MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and Sports Tourism:
Utilizing Hanoi’s central role to develop MICE tourism, integrating outdoor sports activities and exploration of the mountains in Lâm Đồng, Đắk Lắk, Gia Lai, and Khánh Hòa to appeal to new market segments.
Addressing the Opportunities and Challenges of Regional Mergers
Nhữ Thị Ngần, General Director of Hanoi Tourism, addressed the opportunities and challenges arising from the provincial mergers. She noted that the mergers present significant advantages for tourism development, facilitating better regional connectivity and potentially alleviating any reservations tourists may have about geographical distances. This unified approach allows for streamlined resource management, facilitating the creation of compelling tourism products and encouraging longer tourist stays. Ms. Ngần highlighted the opportunity to create interconnected tour routes effectively, enhancing the overall travel experience.
Conference Highlights and Collaborative Outcomes
The conference featured discussions on critical topics, including digital transformation in tourism; the application of digital ecosystems in the management, promotion, and interconnection of regional tourism; experiences in developing and promoting cultural and heritage tourism products; and presentations on the tourism potential of various localities and agencies. Delegates underscored the importance of regional differences in resources and identities as the foundation for synergistic collaboration.
The conference discussions illuminated the fact that Hanoi’s role as a distribution center, combined with the coastal attractions and ancient towns of Central Vietnam and the raw, stunning beauty of the Central Highlands, creates a “multi-hued” tapestry for Vietnamese tourism, appealing to diverse tastes and interests. The formation of interconnected tour routes emerged as a critical theme.
The collaborative spirit culminated in a memorandum of cooperation signed by participating entities, outlining their commitment to collaboration in the 2026-2030 period. This agreement formalizes the partnerships forged during the conference and commits the involved stakeholders to working together to realize the tremendous potential of Vietnam’s diverse and vibrant tourism landscape.
This collaborative approach, recognizing the strengths of each region and the strategic importance of Hanoi as a gateway and distribution point, promises to elevate Vietnam’s tourism sector to new heights of success, drawing both domestic and international visitors to experience the diverse cultural and natural wonders of the country.
