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International tourists coming to Hue city by sea have increased in recent years (Photo: VNA)

Tourism sector enjoys good start for 2025

Many localities in Vietnam recorded trillions of VND in tourism revenue during the nine-day Lunar New Year 2025 holiday.

The tourism sector of Vietnam has seen strong recovery since the beginning of this year, with many localities recording impressive revenues of trillions of VND in January, and the number of domestic tourists rising roughly 19% compared to the same period in 2024 to 12.5 million.

Impressive tourism revenue

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), the nine-day Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday saw significant growth in tourist numbers, generating impressive revenues during the first month of the year. Notably, many localities reported trillions of VND in tourism revenue during the period.

Ho Chi Minh City led the way, welcoming an estimated 2.1 million visitors, up 16.7% from the same period in 2024. The city generated about 7.69 trillion VND (304.31 million USD) in tourism revenue, reflecting a 17.4% year-on-year increase. Hanoi followed closely, attracting around 1 million tourists, earning an estimated 3.53 trillion VND in revenue, up 6% and 7.85%, respectively.

VNAT Director Nguyen Trung Khanh credited these results to local authorities' careful preparation for the Tet holiday and businesses' efforts to adhere to safety protocols, ensuring that visitors had safe and enjoyable experiences.

The early announcement of the holiday, coupled with favorable weather conditions across the country, contributed to a rise in travel demand compared to 2024, he said, adding the hospitality sector launched appealing promotions and discounts, further stimulating tourism.

New momentum in 2025

The data from January 2025 highlights the robust recovery of Vietnam’s tourism industry, which began reopening in March 2022 after the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, the country welcomed approximately 17.5 million international visitors, returning to the pre-pandemic level of 2019—a period of significant growth.

According to Khanh, the positive growth trend, alongside international recognition and internal reforms, signals that Vietnam’s tourism sector is poised for even stronger growth and ready to enter a new phase of development with fresh momentum and new opportunities.

This year, the sector has set ambitious targets of attracting 22-23 million international tourists, serving 120-130 million domestic visitors, and generating record revenue of 1 quadrillion VND, cited VNA.

To achieve these goals, the focus will be on enhancing quality, professionalism, sustainability, and brand promotion. Efforts will be made to improve service standards, offer premium tourism products, and provide exceptional, memorable experiences for visitors.

The VNAT Director emphasized two key factors: human resources and technology. He noted that the Vietnamese workforce must undergo more comprehensive training, particularly in foreign languages, communication skills, and specialized knowledge, to meet international standards. Technology will also play a crucial role in improving the visitor experience, from mobile app-based ticket booking and virtual tours of destinations to cashless payments and feedback systems, he added.

Vietnam is uniquely positioned with its rich natural resources, stunning landscapes, historical sites, and UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage. The country’s tourism sector will continue to develop distinctive products that showcase the uniqueness of its destinations, helping promote Vietnam’s image and boost competitiveness on the global stage.

UN sees Vietnam as a key player in digital transformation and AI

Vietnam is not only a model for technological development but also holds the potential to become a key hub for enhancing AI capabilities in developing countries.

Under-Secretary-General and the United Nations Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology Amandeep Singh Gill made the statement during a meeting with Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN on February 5, at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York.

During the meeting, Under-Secretary-General Amandeep Singh Gill expressed his sincere gratitude to the Vietnamese Mission and relevant agencies for their support, which contributed to the success of his working trip to Hanoi in January 2024.

He said he was honored to have had in-depth and productive discussions with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, leaders of various ministries and agencies, as well as top technology experts in Vietnam.

Praising Vietnam’s vision and groundbreaking policies, the UN official hailed the country’s efforts in dealing with challenges and seizing opportunities to achieve significant advancements in innovation, digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity. He also applauded the positive contributions of the private sector, particularly major technology companies such as Viettel, FPT, and VinAI.

Noting that Vietnam’s AI research and application centers rank among the top 20 globally outside of China and are backed by a strong team of talented and dedicated technology experts, Amandeep Singh Gill affirmed that Vietnam is not only a model for technological development but also has the potential to become a key hub for enhancing AI capabilities in developing nations.

He expressed hope that Vietnam would continue playing an active role in the UN’s Scientific Advisory Group and the Global AI Governance Dialogues, according to VOV.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN (L) and Under-Secretary-General and the United Nations Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology Amandeep Singh Gill

Echoing the UN official’s views, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang emphasized that Vietnam regards science, technology, and innovation as strategic priorities for achieving high economic growth, targeting double-digit growth in the coming years towards becoming a modern industrialized country by 2030 and a high-income nation by 2045.

The Vietnamese diplomat highlighted the recently issued Resolution No. 57 on the development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as a breakthrough policy to drive this ambition. He noted that the resolution establishes the Central Steering Committee for the Development of Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation , chaired by General Secretary To Lam, with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh serving as Vice Chairman.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to sharing its experience and welcoming opinions from the UN and Under-Secretary-General Gill. He voiced support for the idea of positioning Vietnam as a key hub for digital transformation and AI cooperation and called on the UN to help bring this vision to life. Vietnam, he stated, stays ready to take on a more active role and contribute further to UN discussions and key initiatives on digital transformation and AI governance.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese representative reiterated the invitation for the UN Secretary-General and Under-Secretary-General to attend the signing ceremony of the UN Convention on Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention), which will take place in the capital in 2025.

100% of administrative procedures for foreigners in Vietnam to be conducted online

Immediate actions must be taken so that all administrative procedures for foreigners in Vietnam will be carried out through online public services, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh ordered while chairing the 10th nationwide online session of the National Committee for Digital Transformation in Hanoi on February 6.

In his concluding remarks, Chinh, who also serves as the head of the committee, called for streamlining administrative procedures and reducing processing times, and implementing online application methods for visa issuance. He urged the online issuance of identity cards for overseas Vietnamese and birth certificates for Vietnamese children born abroad.

The PM stressed that thanks to the leadership of the Party and the State, the engagement of the entire political system, and the active participation of businesses and citizens, Vietnam’s digital transformation has made significant progress.

He pointed out that Vietnam has so far simplified 898 out of 1,084 administrative procedures nationwide, with all 63 provinces and cities issuing resolutions to waive or reduce fees for citizens and businesses. Leading global tech giants, such as Marvell, NVIDIA, and SK Hynix, are investing and expanding their presence in the country. Meanwhile, e-commerce continues to thrive, digital infrastructure is being strengthened, and the national population database and online public services are increasingly improved.

PM Chinh requested that digital transformation go hand in hand with administrative reforms, be in line with current trends, and meet public demands. He underscored science, technology, and innovation as strategic choices and top priorities for Vietnam’s rapid and sustainable development in the digital era. People and businesses should remain at the centre of all efforts, the leader added.

He urged authorities to accelerate comprehensive digital transformation for double-digit economic growth in the coming years, the digitisation of industries for better productivity and competitiveness, and the development of digital infrastructure, a skilled digital workforce, and e-government, reported VNA.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (standing) at the 10th nationwide online session of the National Committee for Digital Transformation in Hanoi on February 6. (Photo: VNA)

By June 2025, leaders of all ministries, sectors, and localities must direct, manage, and handle tasks in a digital environment and use digital signatures, Chinh directed. By the end of the year, all commune-, district-, and provincial-level officials and civil servants must process tasks digitally and use digital signatures.

He also urged the development of an Internet of Things (IoT) application project in many sectors – including manufacturing, commerce, energy, smart agriculture, smart transportation, and smart healthcare – and of a digital transformation project for businesses, tied to the creation of criteria for assessing corporate digital transformation levels. The national data centre must be operational within 2025, the PM asked.

Chinh went on setting a six-month deadline for key ministries to implement digital initiatives. Accordingly, the Ministry of Finance must ensure electronic payments for food and beverage services, while the Ministry of Health must complete the implementation of electronic medical records. The Ministry of Education and Training has to establish a comprehensive student database; the Ministry of Justice complete the judicial record database; and the State Bank of Vietnam direct the offering of digital financial services for individuals and businesses

At the event, it was noted that in the past year, Vietnam's digital government initiatives expanded significantly. The nationwide rate of full-process online administrative records reached 45%, a 2.5-fold increase compared to 2023. Vietnam climbed 15 places to rank 71st out of 193 countries in the United Nations' e-government development index. The country’s digital economy accounted for an estimated 18.3% of GDP, with a growth rate exceeding 20% per year, three times faster than GDP growth – the fastest rate in Southeast Asia.

Despite these achievements, challenges remain. There are slow implementation and weak interconnectivity of databases, cyber fraud and high-tech crimes becoming more complex, and a shortage of skilled digital and IT professionals, among many other issues.

This year, the national committee plans to focus on accelerating digitalisation across all sectors, contributing to the economic growth target of 8-10%.

On this occasion, PM Chinh, Permanent Deputy PM Nguyen Hoa Binh, and leaders of ministries and central agencies participated in an activation ceremony for Gmedical, a system for healthcare data coordination.

China places importance on economic links with Vietnam

In recent years, the Vietnam-China relationship has remained stable, yielding significant results in economic cooperation, said Prof. Jin Canrong, Associate Dean of the School of International Studies at Renmin University of China.

According to Prof. Jin, Vietnam and China should further strengthen people-to-people exchanges, including student and scholar interactions, and expand partnerships in areas such as economy, tourism, and investment. This will help promote mutual understanding and foster economic development in both nations.

In a recent media interview in Beijing, marking the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the Year of Vietnam-China Humanistic Exchange, Prof. Jin emphasized the shared historical background between the two nations. He noted that despite challenges over the years, bilateral relations have steadily deepened thanks to the dedicated efforts of generations of leaders and people from both sides.

He also highlighted that Vietnam and China are both socialist countries led by communist parties, and the bond they have developed over the past 75 years has not been easy to achieve. Therefore, the two countries should work together to maintain political stability, safeguard common interests, and spur economic development, cited VOV.

Prof. Jin Canrong, Associate Dean of the School of International Studies at the Renmin University of China.

Prof. Jin pointed out that Vietnam boasts great economic potential and plays an important role in the ASEAN region. With a population of over 100 million, a young and abundant workforce, rich natural resources, and effective economic policies, Vietnam represents one of the fastest-growing economies in ASEAN and holds significant potential for development in all sectors.

Looking ahead, he underlined the importance of intensifying people-to-people exchanges, augmenting cooperation in cultural and social affairs, combating drug trafficking and transnational crime, improving cybersecurity, and dealing with global challenges as areas that both countries should prioritize in the coming years.

Vietnam seeks FAO partnership for green and low-emission agriculture

During a high-level meeting with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan proposed a series of initiatives to promote sustainable, low-emission agriculture.

Vietnam seeks FAO’s support in mobilizing funding, enhancing climate-adaptive farming, and transitioning towards a green, responsible, and resilient food system.

On February 6, Minister Le Minh Hoan met with a delegation from FAO, led by Director-General Qu Dongyu, to discuss future cooperation.

Minister Hoan welcomed FAO as the first international delegation to visit the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in the new lunar year.

He acknowledged FAO as a key strategic partner that has provided critical technical, financial, and policy support to Vietnam’s agricultural sector for over 45 years, through more than 400 projects.

He highlighted that in 2024, agriculture remains a key pillar of Vietnam’s economy, ensuring food security, stabilizing livelihoods for over 60% of the rural population, and contributing 11.86% to the national GDP.

While Vietnam has made significant progress in agricultural modernization, Minister Hoan noted that support from international organizations like FAO has been instrumental in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly in poverty eradication and food security, VNN reported.

Minister Le Minh Hoan in a meeting with the FAO delegation. Photo: NNVN.

Vietnam’s commitments to climate action and sustainable farming

Minister Hoan reaffirmed Vietnam’s strong commitment to sustainable development and climate action. He outlined the country’s major international pledges, including:

Achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, as pledged at COP26.

Participating in the Global Methane Pledge to reduce agricultural methane emissions.

Implementing the Glasgow Declaration on Forests and Land Use.

Engaging in the Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, launched at COP28.

To fulfill these commitments, Vietnam is actively restructuring its agricultural sector, focusing on: Climate-smart farming, Eco-friendly food systems, Minimizing post-harvest losses, Promoting circular and nature-based agriculture.

One key initiative is the Sustainable 1 Million Hectare High-Quality Rice Program, aimed at reducing emissions while increasing productivity in the Mekong Delta.

Challenges and the need for FAO’s support

Despite its progress, Vietnam faces several pressing challenges in agriculture, including resource depletion, climate change, volatile global markets, and shifting consumer trends.

Minister Hoan stressed the need for a systemic transformation of Vietnam’s food system, ensuring sustainability while maintaining productivity and economic viability. He emphasized that agriculture must become greener, more responsible, and more resilient to climate shocks.

To achieve these goals, Vietnam seeks FAO’s technical and financial support in:

Mobilizing climate finance from international funds and donors.

Enhancing digital agriculture and innovation.

Scaling up sustainable fisheries, forestry, and livestock production.

Fostering public-private partnerships in sustainable food production.

Strengthening cross-border collaboration on food security and climate resilience.

Vietnam has also proposed that FAO serve as a bridge to connect Vietnamese agricultural experts with developing countries, particularly in Africa, through South-South cooperation programs.

FAO and Vietnam: A shared vision for the future

Minister Le Minh Hoan expressed Vietnam’s commitment to strengthening ties with FAO, ensuring mutual benefits for farmers, businesses, and policymakers. He emphasized that green and climate-resilient agriculture is the only path forward, and Vietnam is eager to lead by example in Asia’s agricultural transition.

FAO representatives welcomed Vietnam’s proactive approach, reaffirming their commitment to support the country’s agricultural transformation.

This strategic partnership between Vietnam and FAO is expected to shape the future of sustainable agriculture, not only in Vietnam but across the region.

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