Vietnam hosted more than 12.2 million international visitors in the first half of 2026, marking a 14.8% increase compared to the previous year and achieving 48.8% of its 2026 annual target, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT). Domestic tourism accounted for 81 million holidaymakers during the same period, reaching 54% of the year’s goal. Tourism revenue totaled 569 trillion VND (21.66 billion USD), representing 50.5% of the planned annual revenue.
Despite growth in arrivals and revenue, Vietnam trails other destinations in key performance indicators such as average length of stay, visitor spending, and repeat international arrivals. The
fragmented nature of tourism data across government ministries, local authorities, and businesses hampers effective destination management and the delivery of consistent services.
Fragmented Tourism Data Limits Sector Efficiency
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has identified the scattered distribution of tourism data among 34 provinces and cities, various ministries, agencies, and the private sector as a major bottleneck. Existing datasets are generated from immigration, aviation, transportation, accommodation, e-commerce, payments, and telecommunications systems but lack coordination, reducing their practical application in decision-making and service improvement.
To address this, a national tourism data ecosystem has been proposed under a “1+34+N” framework designed to consolidate and standardize tourism
data nationwide. The “1” represents a centralized national tourism data platform controlled by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The “34” corresponds to the individual databases of Vietnam’s 34 provinces and cities. “N” denotes multiple connected ministries, agencies, businesses, and organizations that contribute to and enrich the data system.
National Tourism Data Ecosystem Model and Timeline
The national platform will integrate local databases and extend connectivity to government bodies and private industry stakeholders, creating a real-time, comprehensive data network. This system aims to maintain data that is accurate, complete, clean, updated, standardized, and shared across sectors.
Implementation will occur over two phases: from 2026 to 2027,
efforts will focus on integrating the currently fragmented data sources from various entities into a core national database. Starting in 2027, the platform will be finalized with issued common data standards and protocols for data sharing, pursuant to the government’s policies on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
Existing Digital Platforms and Connectivity
Vietnam’s tourism sector has launched several digital platforms that connect government agencies, businesses, tour operators, and travelers. These include the national tourism database, a tourism statistical reporting system, a Tourism Management and Business platform, and a tourism operations dashboard that provides real-time business, booking, and financial data.
Additional resources include the Vietnam
Travel national tourism app, the Vietnam Card tourism card, an integrated multi-modal electronic ticketing system, and multimedia audio guide services. These platforms facilitate data sharing and coordination across the industry and government, enhancing oversight and operational efficiency.
Benefits of Digital Integration and Visitor Impact
Integration of shared digital systems significantly reduces investment and training costs for local authorities and companies while fostering improved data connectivity. Eliminating isolated systems creates a consistent management framework that boosts business efficiency and the visitor experience, according to the Tourism Information Centre.
VNAT leadership stresses that digital tourism transformation entails restructuring management, operations, and visitor experiences fundamentally, not merely adopting new technologies.
Interoperability between local and central systems is critical; isolated systems risk wasting resources and undermining the creation of a cohesive digital tourism ecosystem.
Vietnam’s national tourism database is expected to become the framework’s digital backbone, enabling the creation of detailed digital visitor profiles. These profiles will support forecasting, data-driven governance, and the delivery of personalized real-time services to travelers across the country.
