Vietnam Targets Tourism As Key Economic Pillar Under New Politburo Resolution

HANOI, Vietnam – Vietnam has set its sights on transforming tourism into a cornerstone of the national economy, with a Politburo resolution targeting a 10 to 12 per cent contribution to gross domestic product by 2030 while pivoting towards higher-spending visitors, extended stays and greater economic value per arrival. Resolution No. 26-NQ/TW, recently signed by Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm, outlines a vision for high-quality, smart, green and innovative tourism that is deeply rooted in cultural identity and capable of competing regionally and internationally.

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The resolution envisions tourism generating powerful spillover effects across other sectors, driving economic growth and innovation while promoting sustainable development and enhancing the country's cultural industries and soft power. By the end of the decade, Vietnam aims to rank among Southeast Asia's leading destinations in terms of scale and growth, targeting 45 to 50 million international visitors and 160 million domestic tourists, with total tourism receipts projected at 80 to 90 billion US dollars. Priority will be given to visitors who spend more and remain longer, signalling a decisive shift away from a volume-driven model towards one centred on quality, efficiency and distinctive experiences.

The country plans to establish three major tourism growth poles in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, complemented by 10 key tourism centres and 20 national tourism areas. The accommodation sector is expected to expand to approximately 1.5 million rooms, while the industry workforce is projected to generate around 2.3 million direct jobs and 3.5 million indirect jobs. A national smart tourism ecosystem will be developed, including a comprehensive tourism database and a digital platform to integrate services and data across the sector.

Looking further ahead to 2045, tourism is expected to contribute as much as 14 to 15 per cent of GDP, with the country aiming to break into the world's top 30 most competitive tourism economies and welcome 70 million international visitors. The resolution outlines eight major groups of tasks to achieve these ambitions, covering institutional reform, infrastructure development, market and product diversification, promotion, human resources, digital transformation, smart tourism and sustainable destination management.

A fundamental shift in the new policy is the move from administrative management towards integrated management of a tourism service ecosystem, with tourism development embedded within broader economic, cultural, environmental, national security and international integration strategies. Authorities are expected to introduce policies to support emerging models such as the sharing economy, digital-platform businesses, the night-time economy, riverfront and coastal economies, and integrated tourism, cultural, sports and entertainment complexes. Research will also be conducted into a value-added tax refund mechanism to stimulate shopping tourism, alongside regulations governing cross-border online tourism platforms.

Public-private partnerships are to be expanded in the preservation, management and exploitation of destinations of special value, while strategic investors will be encouraged to develop tourism infrastructure and major projects. Visa and entry policies will undergo further reform, including wider visa exemptions and more flexible arrangements for key markets, specifically targeting high-spending, long-stay visitors. Financial resources for tourism will be strengthened through the tourism development support fund, investment funds, credit guarantees and preferential loans, including interest-rate support for green and sustainable initiatives.

The resolution places strong emphasis on multimodal transport infrastructure linking international gateways with major economic regions, tourism centres and national tourism areas. Development priorities include aviation, rail, waterways, seaports, marinas, convention and exhibition centres, cultural facilities and digital infrastructure. Vietnam also aims to enhance its capacity to receive large cruise ships and develop large-scale resorts alongside integrated tourism, cultural, sports, entertainment and shopping complexes.

On tourism products, the resolution prioritises cultural tourism linked to cultural industries, heritage and night-time economies, as well as marine and island resorts, mountain and forest ecotourism, waterway and high-end rail tourism, medical and wellness tourism, sports, MICE, shopping, cuisine and community-based tourism. Localities are encouraged to develop distinctive products while strengthening links among travel agencies, transport operators, accommodation providers and other services to increase domestic value creation and help Vietnamese businesses move deeper into global tourism value chains.

Tourism promotion will be coordinated at the national level and linked to Vietnam's national image, culture, people and investment environment. The resolution calls for a stronger presence in high-spending markets and the development of a network of digital tourism ambassadors, with big data and artificial intelligence deployed in promotion and destination reputation management. Vietnamese overseas missions are expected to play a greater role in tourism promotion, while digital transformation is described as a cross-cutting foundation for the entire sector.

Plans for digitalisation include a national tourism database, an integrated digital platform, digitalised destinations, electronic ticketing, digital maps, virtual tourism assistants and data analytics systems. Internet of Things technology and AI will be used in managing energy, the environment and destination carrying capacity, while tourism management will increasingly rely on indicators such as quality, visitor spending, length of stay, safety, environmental performance and visitor satisfaction. The resolution also calls for greener tourism through wastewater and waste treatment, reduced plastic use, green transport, a circular economy and the preservation of heritage and landscapes.

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Early-warning systems and crisis-response mechanisms are to be strengthened to improve the sector's resilience to natural disasters, disease outbreaks and major regional and global disruptions. Implementation responsibilities have been assigned across the political system, with the Party organisation of the National Assembly tasked with helping institutionalise the policy and reviewing relevant legislation. The Party organisation of the Government is to issue an action programme, strengthen the State Steering Committee on Tourism and develop a national tourism promotion programme and indicators measuring tourism quality, efficiency and sustainability. Provincial and municipal Party organisations are expected to develop their own implementation plans and ensure adequate resources for tourism development, while central agencies will oversee, monitor and assess the progress of this ambitious national strategy.