HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has called for urgent and sweeping measures to boost the development of Việt Nam’s tourism sector, positioning it as a key engine of growth as the country targets double-digit economic expansion.In an official dispatch signed on April 10, the Prime Minister stressed that tourism must take a leading role in driving post-pandemic recovery and broader socio-economic progress. The document highlights the Government’s consistent focus on transforming tourism into a spearhead economic sector, following the Politburo’s directive outlined in Resolution No. 08-NQ/TW.Tourism figures from 2024 point to strong momentum, Việt Nam welcomed 17.6 million international visitors, a 39 per cent rise from the previous year. Domestic travel reached 110 million trips, up 1.6 per cent. Total revenue from tourism hit around VNĐ840 trillion, a 24 per cent year-on-year increase. The first quarter of 2025 continued the upward trend, with international arrivals surpassing six million – the highest quarterly figure ever recorded – up 29.6 per cent compared to the same period in 2024.To build on this progress, the Government has set ambitious targets for 2025: attracting 22 to 23 million international tourists, serving 130 million domestic travellers and increasing total revenue from tourism by 12 to 13 per cent year-on-year. These targets are expected to generate positive spill-over effects across other sectors and help push national GDP growth rate to at least 8 per cent, laying the groundwork for achieving double-digit growth pace in the years ahead.The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is also responsible for working with other ministries, sectors, and localities to launch coordinated tourism stimulus packages tied to specific services, products, and enterprises, with implementation due by the end of May.Improving tourism products and experiencesThe Government is calling for greater private sector investment in modernising tourism infrastructure. Strategic, environmentally responsible investors are encouraged to develop integrated tourism complexes, national tourist areas, large-scale entertainment and hospitality projects, as well as high-end shopping and leisure centres in key destinations.The Culture, Sports and Tourism ministry has also been tasked with seeking opportunities to host major international events and strengthen Việt Nam’s role in the MICE sector (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions).Digital and green growth as long-term pillarsThe Government aims to encourage sustainable investment that leads to the creation of eco-friendly tourism products aligned with global consumer trends. Tourism models supporting green growth – including eco-tourism, agricultural eco-tourism, community-based travel, cultural heritage exploration and wellness tourism – will be actively promoted.The ministry is also working with the Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Việt Nam to encourage widespread adoption of cashless payment systems in tourism services, supporting electronic payment through smart devices to reduce cash use and streamline spending.Making destinations more accessibleImproving accessibility is another key focus of the directive. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, together with the Ministry of Construction and relevant agencies, is expected to strengthen multimodal connectivity – air, rail, road, maritime and inland waterways – both within the country and beyond. The dispatch also calls for increased public-private investment to expand and upgrade airports, seaports and terminals in major tourist destinations.Visa policy and international cooperationThe Ministries of Public Security, National Defence and Foreign Affairs have been tasked with working alongside the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to review and propose more open, flexible visa policies. These include potential short-term visa exemptions and simplified entry procedures for tourists travelling under stimulus programmes or cultural diplomacy initiatives. These proposals are due by the end of April. VNS (ICE HO CHI MINH CITY)

Fonte notizia: Vietnam News