Focus on making a difference

After the Covid-19 pandemic, Khanh Hoa tourism has recovered and grown strongly. In 2024, Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa welcomed more than 10.8 million visitors, an increase of more than 49% compared to 2023; of which, international visitors are estimated to reach more than 4.7 million, an increase of 98.8%. Total revenue from tourists is estimated at VND 53,000 billion, an increase of nearly 56.5%. The growth rate of Khanh Hoa tourism is much higher than the general growth rate of the Vietnam tourism industry (in 2024, international visitors increased by 35%) and is forecast to continue in the coming time when international tourist markets continue to expand. With these results, Khanh Hoa tourism industry has boldly adjusted the target for the period 2025 - 2030, striving to welcome more than 21.1 million overnight guests, including more than 10.5 million international visitors by 2030; tourism revenue reaches 121,830 billion VND.

More and more Russian tourists are returning to Khanh Hoa.

At a recent working session with the leaders of the Provincial People's Committee, experts from Gratiya Company (from Dubai, UAE) - the consulting unit for the development of the Khanh Hoa tourism development strategy implementation plan for the period 2025 - 2030, with a vision to 2045 - have proposed 6 strategies to elevate Khanh Hoa tourism, aiming to complete the above goal. Of which, the 2 key strategies that need to be implemented soonest are diversifying tourism products and services and diversifying the international tourist market. Gratiya experts believe that in order to maintain growth momentum, attract international tourists, and develop tourism sustainably and effectively, Khanh Hoa tourism industry needs to expand the international tourist market by focusing on potential tourist markets, especially nearby markets, tourists from visa-exempt countries, and high-spending tourists; At the same time, build products in a long-term direction, focusing on quality and differentiation instead of just following short-term trends. Khanh Hoa needs to promote the development of cultural tourism products, exploiting heritage values ​​and local identity; green tourism - aiming at nature conservation and reducing environmental impact; high-end resort tourism combined with health care, meeting the increasingly diverse needs of international tourists.

Ms. Su Ramanathan - Head of the Advisory Board for the Development Plan of Khanh Hoa Tourism Development Strategy for the period 2025 - 2030, with a vision to 2045, said that Khanh Hoa's tourism products are not much different from those of other localities with the same potential and strengths in the region. In the coming time, Khanh Hoa's tourism industry needs to develop differentiated products to attract tourists. For example, in the form of cultural tourism, it is not enough to just bring tourists to visit relics and learn about local culture, but also to let tourists immerse themselves in the community, participate in community tourism, cultural tourism and experience the lifestyle of the local people. Khanh Hoa has coastal villages, Hon Khoi salt fields, etc. Businesses can build tours to experience the lives of fishermen and salt workers. Similarly, visitors to Nha Trang should not only visit the monuments but also convey that visitors to Nha Trang are coming to a land where the imprints of three cultures converge: Cham, Vietnamese (Kinh) and French. The cultural exchange and acculturation have created a unique cultural identity of Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa.

Developing sustainable tourism models

In addition, according to Gratiya experts, Khanh Hoa tourism needs to promote the development of green and sustainable tourism products. As environmental awareness and social responsibility are increasingly promoted, green tourism is not only becoming an inevitable trend but also a competitive advantage, helping to attract international tourists. In this context, sustainable tourism models, associated with minimizing negative impacts on the environment, are increasingly focused on. “Khanh Hoa has great advantages to develop green tourism thanks to its diverse terrain, with a long coastline on one side and majestic mountains and hills that still retain their wild beauty on the other. However, we are currently only developing marine tourism products, while mountain and forest ecotourism is being exploited very fragmentedly. In the coming time, we should build net zero tourism products (tourism that does not harm the environment) such as developing mountain and forest ecotourism tours, hiking in Khanh Son, Khanh Vinh, tours combining mangrove planting in Nha Trang Bay, Nha Phu lagoon…”, Ms. Jessie Ling - Gratiya expert expressed.

Guests participate in yoga practice at The Anam Cam Ranh Resort.

Gratiya experts also noted that, in addition to the need for luxury resorts, tourism combined with health care is also emerging as a new trend, especially among luxury tourists. Mineral mud baths, meditation, yoga, and natural herbal therapies are products with great potential if properly invested, and at the same time, being closely associated with local cultural identity can become unique products to attract tourists. Regarding this issue, Mr. Hoang Van Vinh - Chairman of Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Tourism Association shared: "Russian and Western European tourists often choose Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa to travel to avoid winter, take long-term vacations... so if we develop health care products, it will attract more tourists to stay for a long time, especially in the context of the Vietnamese Government increasingly expanding its visa exemption policy for international tourists".

 XUÂN THÀNH