A music show on a nighttime cruise in Quang Ninh. (Photo: hanoimoi.vn)

Developing high-end tourism products

Recently, two US millionaires travelled to Vietnam for tourism and investment exploration. Their journey took them from the northernmost province of Ha Giang to Ha Long city in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh, following a new route through the core area of the Ha Long world natural heritage site.

This marks the first group of international millionaires and billionaires to visit Quang Ninh as part of an exclusive luxury tour programme. In the coming months, 4–5 more billionaire delegations are expected to visit Quang Ninh.

According to the Quang Ninh Department of Tourism, the province is developing a luxury tourism market with high-end offerings. It has opened three beaches—Soi Sim, Hang Co, and Trinh Nu in Ha Long Bay and designated seven pristine island areas and beaches for billionaire and ultra-luxury travellers.

Besides exclusive tourism products, Quang Ninh is also developing high-end offerings to attract high-spending visitors, such as art performances on nighttime cruises and helicopter transfer services.

Not only Quang Ninh, but many provinces and cities are also promoting high-end tourism to attract high-spending tourists. Ha Giang has launched helicopter services connecting it with Hanoi and Quang Ninh. Phu Quoc Island off the coast of the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang has also developed high-end products at famous resorts such as InterContinental, Four Seasons, and Ritz-Carlton.

Meanwhile, the central province of Quang Binh is stepping up cave tourism with premium adventure experiences in Son Doong and Tu Lan caves. Meanwhile, central Da Nang and Nha Trang cities are promoting cruise and MICE tourism.

In Hanoi, besides traditional cultural tourism, the capital is also focusing on high-end offerings. Dang Huong Giang, Director of the municipal Department of Tourism, said Hanoi has expanded golf tourism, MICE tourism, and luxury retreats combined with local cultural experiences.

Developing world-class services

Italian cruise ship Costa Serena visits Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh province. (Photo: VNA)

According to Google’s data, international searches for tourist accommodations in Vietnam increased by 15–45% between late November 2024 and the end of February 2025 compared to the same period last year.

Experts noted that Vietnam is becoming a trending destination for ultra-luxury and high-spending travellers.

Nguyen Anh Tuan, Director of the Vietnam Institute for Tourism Development Research, said that attracting high-spending tourist groups opens up significant opportunities for Vietnam in tourism development and economic investment.

According to Nguyen Quoc Ky, Chairman of Vietravel, localities need to develop a range of offerings tailored to different types of visitors, with pricing options from standard to luxury.

Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism Ha Van Sieu stressed that Vietnam is applying 14- to 45-day visa exemptions to citizens from 26 countries, which is favourable for it to fuel tourism and optimise economic benefits from international visitors. To attract and retain high-end travellers who come to both seek fresh experiences and explore investment opportunities, localities and businesses must work together to leverage natural advantages and develop a world-class service system.

Vietnam welcomed 17.5 million international visitors in 2024, equal to the pre-COVID-19 level. This year, the country aims to welcome 22–23 million foreign tourist arrivals.

The Prime Minister recently assigned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to consider appropriate visa policies, especially for the countries Vietnam has traditional friendship with, and to diversify visa exemptions for some countries and target groups such as billionaires around the world. Visa exemptions for different groups are expected to reduce administrative procedures, making it easier for them to visit Vietnam./.