Promoting science and technology to elevate the model of 'healing tourism'

Diversifying “healing tourism” models

Recently, there was a story about a Korean man who gave up his income of more than 6 million won (about 100 million/month) to come to Vietnam to open a barbecue restaurant after traveling, which attracted the attention of the community. It is known that Mr. J. came to Vietnam for tourism in 2009, he really likes Vietnamese cuisine, people and culture. Although he often travels and visits many countries in Europe and Asia. However, no place gives him a feeling of peace and happiness like Vietnam. Therefore, a few years ago, he quit his job to come to Vietnam to live and open a barbecue restaurant.

In fact, Vietnam's tourism is currently highly appreciated by the international market. Talking to reporters of the Vietnam Law Newspaper, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Hong Long - Head of the Department of Tourism Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi said that after the COVID-19 pandemic, health care tourism has gradually "taken the throne". With beautiful and rich natural scenery and many unspoiled destinations, Vietnam is suitable as a place to relax, rest, and relieve stress and fatigue for tourists.

“Healing tourism” in Vietnam is also diversifying its model. For example, MICE tourism (tourism associated with meetings, seminars, etc.) is associated with resorts providing relaxation and health care for tourists. Agricultural tourism in Vietnam also has a strong “healing power” for domestic and foreign tourists. Just by visiting traditional gardens and craft villages, tourists will be immersed in a rustic, peaceful cultural space, and at the same time participate in interesting agricultural activities.

Elevate your experience with digital transformation

Mr. Ho An Phong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that the tourism industry has recovered spectacularly in 2024 and the first months of 2025. This is a bright spot in economic and social development. Digital transformation plays an important role in this achievement. For tourism, digital transformation is at the forefront, inevitable and objective. When applying digital technology, AI, and smart platforms, tourism will develop very quickly and sustainably.

According to a 2024 survey by Thrilist (a popular travel website), 68% of young people tend to avoid crowded destinations, looking for "hidden gems" - unspoiled, unexploited places to relax. According to Agoda data, the demand for vacations of Vietnamese tourists accounts for 65%, of which 78% of Vietnamese tourists said they would use travel apps to organize their trips.

Experiencing the type of “healing tourism”, tourists often tend to look for peaceful, pristine spaces. Therefore, they will tend to travel alone, to deserted places. The application of digital technology and AI greatly supports tourists.

In fact, many localities in Vietnam currently have many digital transformation models, applying rich technology, creating many tourism products with modern technology content. For example, Ho Chi Minh City applies smart tourism software on iOS, Android, deploys 3D applications to recreate the city space from above; Hanoi applies technology, smart destinations on the tourism information portal; or Da Nang actively uses virtual reality, VR360, automatic bilingual commentary... These activities help enhance the tourism experience for customers in a visual and vivid way.

In 2025, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will focus on developing a smart tourism ecosystem in a synchronous and unified manner to serve state management, tourism business and improve tourist experience; research and develop a set of criteria to evaluate the National Digital Platform for Tourism Management and Business, a set of indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of smart tourism destinations; issue guidance documents and organize training for localities and businesses to implement digital transformation in tourism.

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