Digital transformation creates momentum for sustainable tourism development

Digital transformation is affecting many industries and sectors, including tourism. This change forces businesses and service providers to promote the application of new technologies to adapt to changing tourist needs.

Create convenience

Ms. Hoang Lan Anh, a tourist from Hanoi , felt excited when she first experienced checking in at a 5-star resort in Ha Long using a facial recognition machine. “It only took me a few seconds to complete the check-in procedure and receive my room. When using the services at the buffet restaurant, private game areas... I don't need to bring my room card. The procedure is quick and convenient throughout my stay,” Ms. Hoang Lan Anh said.

Tourists listen to an automatic commentary at the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam in Hanoi.

According to Ms. Do Hong Xoan, Vice President of Vietnam Tourism Association, President of Vietnam Hotel Association, in the context of the strong development of technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), it not only changes the way businesses operate but also reshapes the way services are managed in the hotel industry.

In fact, the application of technology effectively supports and enhances the entire personal experience of tourists, from the time they check-in until they return home. Given this convenience, many hotels in Vietnam are also applying technology at different scales, bringing better service experiences to domestic and foreign tourists.

Meanwhile, for travel companies, the application of technology to meet the needs of searching for information and services is also being strongly implemented in response to the changing needs of tourists. With a team of business leaders from technology backgrounds, BestPrice Travel has pioneered the promotion of Ha Long tourism images on the Google platform and now a series of other search platforms.

“From the image of Ha Long tourism, the unit has promoted destinations in all three regions and linked tours to three Indochinese countries. Thanks to that, the unit attracts about 20,000 international visitors to Vietnam every year. From the foundation of attracting international visitors, the unit is promoting attracting domestic visitors,” said Mr. Bui Thanh Tu, Marketing Director of BestPrice Tourism Technology Joint Stock Company.

Visitors to BestPrice's website can book tours, services and pay online. Especially since the VITM 2025 Tourism Fair, the unit has applied artificial intelligence (AI) to communicate with customers and provide detailed advice according to their needs.

From the perspective of a destination, the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam is also one of the pioneers in implementing digital transformation according to the policies and orientations of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. Since May 2022, the unit has put the electronic ticket system into operation at the relic site with the support of the Tourism Information Center. After that, the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam has conducted a trial of online ticket sales for groups of tourists from travel agencies since August 2023 and now expanded to all visitors to the relic site.

By purchasing tickets online, visitors can easily look up ticket purchase history, invoices as well as ticket storage information in many flexible forms, avoiding losing tickets through electronic receipts provided by the Center for Information Technology and Digital Technology (Ministry of Industry and Trade).

Tourists visit Quang Ninh Museum.

At Quang Ninh Museum, the automatic guide system (Audio Guide) supports visitors in English and Vietnamese. The easy-to-understand and easy-to-remember language, combined with codes corresponding to each exhibition area such as Yen Tu relic and Truc Lam Zen sect, underground coal mining... has helped visitors gain a deeper understanding of the history, culture and people of the mining land. Visitors can also experience the 3D virtual reality museum at the website baotangao.baotangquangninh.vn; 360-degree digitalization via cameras placed at relic sites and tourist attractions to simultaneously visit and explore other impressive destinations...

Regarding the application of technology, Mr. Hoang Quoc Hoa, Director of the Tourism Information Center (Vietnam National Administration of Tourism), said: The Tourism Information Center is coordinating with Hanoi to deploy an online - interconnected - multi-modal electronic ticket system at major relic sites such as the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam, President Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace, Quan Thanh Temple, Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of History, Heritage House No. 87 Ma May, Relic No. 22 Hang Buom Street... This is considered a "breakthrough solution" to enhance tourist experience and smart destination management.

Forming a smart tourism ecosystem

According to statistics from the Vietnam E-commerce Association (VECOM), the rate of domestic tourists booking hotels and tours online is over 60%; the rate of international tourists using these two services is over 75%.

Quang Ninh Museum attracts many tourists this summer.

According to Mr. Pham Van Thuy, Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, digital transformation is gradually changing the face of Vietnam's tourism industry in a more professional, modern and effective direction, which is to create a shared digital ecosystem for the entire industry such as: Vietnam tourism data system, tourism statistics reporting software, "Vietnam Tourism - Vietnam Travel" application... This smart tourism ecosystem supports state management, tourism business and enhances tourist experience, creating synchronization and unity in the industry. The most common goal is to put into operation shared digital platforms in the tourism industry to create concentration and synchronization of data, overcome the fragmentation, "a hundred flowers blooming", and waste of resources.

In addition to building a smart tourism ecosystem, the National Tourism Administration has promoted the image and brand of Vietnam tourism through the Department's national digital communication channels, including websites and social networks such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Zalo to domestic and international tourists.

By implementing digital transformation, Vietnam not only aims to increase the number of visitors but also focuses on improving the quality of experience, targeting high-end customer segments, seeking cultural values ​​and identity.

Vietnamese tourism experts believe that the future of Vietnam's tourism industry will witness the explosion of smart tourism, with the powerful application of digital technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to personalize itineraries, optimize services and manage destinations more effectively. Destinations will become "smart tourism cities", where all information and services are at the fingertips of tourists.

Tourism not only brings economic benefits but also acts as a bridge to preserve local values, contributing positively to society and the planet. Vietnam will position itself as a destination that is not only beautiful in landscape but also rich in identity, friendly and responsible, ready to compete fairly in the international arena.

According to VNA

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/chuyen-doi-so-tao-dong-luc-phat-trien-du-lich-ben-vung-a423986.html