(VOVWORLD) - The Vietnam Tourism Association (VTA) held a conference on Sunday to roll out its 2026 action plan, aiming to welcome 25 million international visitors and promote efficient and sustainable tourism development.
 Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong speaks at the conference. Photo: Huyen Trang/ VOV1 |
In 2025, Vietnam’s tourism sector achieved record-breaking results, welcoming 21.5 million international arrivals, up 22 percent compared with 2024 and surpassing 2019, previously regarded as a historic benchmark year for inbound tourism.
However, underscoring the sector’s future priorities, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong stressed that Vietnam must move beyond competing on low prices alone.
 At the conference to implement the 2026 work plan of the Vietnam Tourism Association. (Photo: Huyen Trang/ VOV1) |
He said Vietnam should focus on improving quality, restructuring target markets, developing more integrated infrastructure, enhancing environmental services, and providing more professional tourism services. The goal, he noted, is to encourage higher visitor spending while minimizing environmental impact, pursuing healthy, diverse, and attractive tourism rather than growth at any cost.
In line with this direction, in 2026 the Vietnam Tourism Association will organize two major events including the Vietnam International Travel Mart – VITM Hanoi 2026, themed “Digital Transformation and Green Growth – Elevating Vietnam Tourism,” and MICE EXPO 2026.
At the same time, the Association will intensify efforts in research, the development of new tourism products, innovation and service quality improvement, as well as international cooperation activities.