Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam Partners with Hue City to Discuss Sustainable Tourism, Cultural Integration and Future Growth at Key Conference

Published on December 20, 2025

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung emphasized the significance of building a convergent cultural-industry ecosystem, in which the state plays the facilitation role and the initiative rests in the hands of different levels of local authorities and business communities as the driving force for this innovative ecosystem. The initiative emphasizes the significant involvement of local communities in the implementation of tourism plans and also emphasizes the involvement of the state in designing the policy framework for sustainable growth in tourism.

The overall objective of the conference was to show that culture, with its intrinsic connectedness with the identity of Vietnam, could be utilized as a strong indigenous resource for developing tourism as a major sector of the economy. This could be done by capitalizing on the cultural resources and developing high-quality tourism products that identify with the essence of Vietnam’s traditions.

Strengthening Linkages and Shaping Vietnam’s Tourism Future

A key focus of the conference was to strengthen linkages among stakeholders, especially in high-potential creative sectors such as film, art, and design. By combining these cultural industries with tourism, Vietnam is positioning itself to offer travelers more authentic and immersive experiences. These offerings are expected to have high added value, attracting more tourists interested in cultural tourism that goes beyond traditional sightseeing.

Nguyen Van Hung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, discussed the strategy’s emphasis on fostering an integrated cultural-industry ecosystem. This ecosystem’s vision is centered on the collaboration between the state, local governments, businesses, and the creative community to ensure that sustainable tourism remains at the heart of Vietnam’s growth trajectory. The cultural industry is increasingly being recognized as a vital resource for tourism growth, with the potential to diversify the country’s offerings and attract a global audience interested in experiencing authentic Vietnamese heritage.

The continued development of high-value tourism products rooted in culture will play a crucial role in Vietnam’s future as a tourism powerhouse, bringing long-term benefits to both local communities and the national economy. As the tourism sector grows, so will the demand for products that combine sustainability with luxury, culture, and authenticity—a hallmark of Vietnam’s evolving tourism model.

Future of Tourism in Vietnam: Integrating Culture with Sustainability

The broader future growth of tourism in Vietnam is closely linked to how effectively the country integrates culture into its tourism offerings. Vietnam has the opportunity to become a global leader in sustainable tourism that highlights its cultural richness, offering tourists experiences that honor both the country’s natural beauty and local traditions. This sustainable tourism model will not only boost Vietnam’s tourism competitiveness regionally but will also pave the way for increased visitor numbers from international markets.

By promoting the integration of the cultural industry into tourism development, Vietnam can enhance its tourism appeal as a destination that offers more than just beautiful landscapes. The future tourism growth strategy includes positioning Vietnam’s culture at the forefront of its tourism marketing, making it a distinctive offering in the global tourism market.

Hue City: A Model for Cultural Tourism and Sustainable Development

Hue City, chosen as the host location for the conference, is a key example of how cultural tourism can coexist with sustainable development. Known for its UNESCO World Heritage sites, Hue offers a model for other regions in Vietnam that seek to balance heritage preservation with tourism development. The conference’s location underscored the potential for Hue to become a global model for integrating cultural industries and sustainable tourism, highlighting its ability to harmonize conservation with tourism promotion.

The broader vision for Hue City is to evolve into a dynamic tourism hub where culture, nature, and sustainability intersect. This model can be replicated in other parts of Vietnam, ensuring that cultural tourism growth remains in harmony with environmental and community sustainability. The future growth of Vietnam’s tourism lies in regions like Hue, where tourism development and cultural preservation go hand in hand, making it a model for responsible tourism practices.

The Long-Term Impact on Vietnam’s Tourism Competitiveness

As Vietnam’s tourism sector continues to evolve, integrating cultural industries into tourism development will significantly enhance its regional and global competitiveness. The future of Vietnamese tourism is intrinsically tied to cultural industries that offer authentic, immersive experiences and innovative tourism products. As the government works to promote sustainable tourism, the focus will be on developing high-value products that provide economic benefits to local communities, ensuring that the growth of tourism is both environmentally responsible and economically inclusive.

Sustainable Cultural Tourism and Future Growth

The emerging role of cultural industries in shaping Vietnam’s tourism future. While sustainability, cultural preservation, and the fusion of cultural industries in tourism are emerging as important factors in this new development strategy in Vietnam, this country is now poised to shape the future of tourism in a way in which tourism development is not only sustainable but also pro-environment and pro-culture. As Vietnam forges ahead in developing this sector, fusion of culture and sustainable tourism practices will emerge as an important factor in shaping tourism development in Vietnam in line with international best practices. With Hue as an example in this respect, Vietnam is now privileged to shape tourism development in this sector into an example to be followed in sustainable tourism development.