Vietnam advised to tap potential for sports tourism
With its diverse terrain and favourable climate, Vietnam has the opportunity to organise sport events to attract more tourists to the country, experts have said.
At a paragliding festival in Yen Bai province (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – With its diverseterrain and favourable climate, Vietnam has the opportunity to organise sportevents to attract more tourists to the country, experts have said.
Do Cam Tho, Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and Finance under theVietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), said at a recent seminar inHanoi that the eastern and northwestern regions hold a lot of potential forsports tourism, especially adventure sports.
Adventure sports have already been held on northern mountain provinces such asFansipan in Lao Cai province, Pu Ta Leng, Pu Si Lung and Bach Moc Luong in LaiChau province and Ta Xua-Tram Tau in Son La province, which measure from 2,865m to 3,143 m, the official added.
Tho suggested organising running and mountain bike racings in Ha Giang, LaiChau, Yen Bai and Lao Cai, and parachuting in Hoa Binh, Son La, Yen Bai, LaoCai and Ha Giang.
With a dense network of rivers, the Mekong Delta is suitable for boat races. Coastallocalities could host beach sports like kite boarding, yacht racing, motor racingand scuba diving, he said.
Vietnam has invested in infrastructure to serve major sports events, with themost noteworthy being the Formula One (F1) Grand Prix 2020.
Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, VNAT Deputy General Director, said sports tourism hasbecome an important global trend, adding that it is growing twice as quickly astourism in general.
She highlighted the Da Nang Declaration on promoting tourism and sports forsustainable development issued by the World Tourism Organisation at theInternational Conference on Tourism and Sports in 2016./.
Nearly 1,000 foreign and domestic runners took part in the Vietnam Jungle Marathon 2019 which was held in Pu Luong Nature Reserve in the central province of Thanh Hoa on May 25.
Formula One has released its schedule for 2020, with the first ever Vietnam Grand Prix set to be the third among 22 races of the year, an unprecedented number of yearly races in the event’s history.
With majestic rock mountains and stunning terraced fields, Hoang Su Phi district is a tourist magnet in Ha Giang province. Local authorities have been focusing on sustainable tourism development.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
At a paragliding festival in Yen Bai province (Photo: VNA) 
