(TITC) – Within the framework of ITE HCMC 2025, on September 4, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in coordination with the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee hosted the High-Level Tourism Forum under the theme “Shaping the Future of Tourism: Embracing Digital and Green Transformation”.

Opening the forum, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung highlighted that global tourism is rebounding strongly after the Covid-19 pandemic and is entering a period of profound transformation. He stressed that digital and green transformation are no longer optional but essential strategies for every country, including Vietnam, to enhance competitiveness, build smart and eco-friendly destinations, and ensure long-term sustainability.

Minister Hung noted that Vietnam has already taken concrete steps in this direction, including developing criteria for smart and green destinations, launching plastic waste reduction campaigns in tourism, and supporting businesses in adopting digital technologies for management and marketing. Several localities have integrated these strategies into their development plans, creating new, attractive, and environmentally responsible tourism models.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung

With its central location in Southeast Asia, Vietnam holds significant advantages for tourism growth: political stability, improving infrastructure, and expanding international connectivity. Following its recent administrative expansion, Ho Chi Minh City continues to consolidate its role as the country’s largest economic and tourism hub, strengthening its position as a convergence point linking global markets.

The Government of Vietnam has also introduced favorable policies to attract international visitors, including expanding visa exemptions, implementing e-visas, and extending lengths of stay.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh

At the forum, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh outlined six strategic orientations to drive rapid and sustainable tourism development: improving institutions, renewing mindsets, expanding international cooperation, promoting regional linkages, developing human resources, and supporting enterprises in the context of digital and green transformation.

At the forum, international speakers provided diverse perspectives. Cambodian Minister of Tourism Huot Hak shared his country’s experience in developing eco-friendly tourism and underscored the importance of regional cooperation to build an integrated green tourism value chain.

Mr. Harry Hwang, Regional Director for Asia-Pacific of UN Tourism, presented on “Tourism in Transition: Promoting Sustainable Development through Digital and Green Innovation.” He analyzed global trends, identifying technology and sustainability as core drivers, and offered tailored policy recommendations for Vietnam.

Cambodian Minister of Tourism Huot Hak

From the business sector, Ms. Natalie Kidd, Managing Director for Asia at Intrepid Travel Group, presented on “Green Transformation in Tourism: Empowering Communities through Responsible Innovation.” She emphasized the central role of communities in ensuring long-term sustainability and social consensus.

Meanwhile, Mr. Olivier Ponti, Director of Data Monitoring and Marketing at ForwardKeys, delivered insights on big data in his presentation “Tourism Intelligence: Creating the Future of Tourism.” He highlighted global visitor flows, consumer behaviors, and forecasts that could help develop Vietnam’s tourism strategies and marketing plans.

Mr. Ha Van Sieu, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, reaffirmed that Vietnam considers both digitalization and green growth as fundamental drivers of its tourism future. Green growth protects the environment and local communities, while digitalization supports management and enhances visitor experiences. Together, they create safer, more attractive, and more resilient destinations.

Overview of forum

He also emphasized that Vietnam has committed strongly at the national level, through the National Green Growth Strategy 2021-2030, vision to 2050 and the Vietnam Tourism Development Strategy to 2030, which both prioritize sustainability and competitiveness. At the same time, the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW identifies science, technology, and digital transformation as national development pillars, with the tourism industry already deploying platforms such as the national tourism database and the Vietnam Travel application.

The forum served as a platform for government leaders, international organizations, businesses, and experts to exchange knowledge, reinforce cooperation, and explore innovation opportunities. Participants agreed that digital and green transformation are not only inevitable trends but also vital drivers to enhance competitiveness, promote sustainability, and accelerate Vietnam’s international integration.

Notably, at the forum, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Health signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in developing medical tourism for the 2025-2030 period.

Medical tourism will combine the advantages of digital transformation such as online booking, teleconsultation, and data-driven customer management with green transformation, including eco-resorts and sustainable wellness services. This partnership aims to position Vietnam as a leading destination for medical tourism, enhancing its competitiveness and affirming its place on the global tourism map.

Tourism Information Technology Center