Vietnam and Austria promote tourism cooperation, strengthen destination connectivity
WVR - On October 13, the Vietnamese Embassy in Austria organized the Vietnam-Austria Tourism Forum with the theme “Connecting Destinations, Building Bridges” to promote Vietnam's tourism potential, foster business connections, and enhance tourist exchanges between the two countries.
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| The Vietnamese Embassy in Austria organizes the Vietnam-Austria Tourism Forum. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Austria) |
This economic diplomacy event coincided with Vietnam Entrepreneurs' Day and attracted nearly 100 delegates from government agencies, airlines, travel companies, and tourism and hotel management training institutions.
On the Vietnamese side, attendees included Nguyen Thanh Hai, Deputy Secretary of the Tay Ninh Provincial Party Committee; Mai Xuan Liem, Standing Vice Chairman of the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee; Huynh Van Son, Vice Chairman of the Tay Ninh Provincial People's Committee; Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director General of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (online), along with representatives from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, Vietnam Airlines, and FLC Group.
On the Austrian side, representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism, the Austrian National Tourist Office, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Austrian Airlines, and travel companies were present.
In his opening remarks at the Forum, Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Vu Le Thai Hoang emphasized that there is still untapped potential in tourism cooperation between the two countries, especially as Vietnam and Austria prepare to celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027.
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| Deputy Secretary of the Tay Ninh Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Thanh Hai and Vice Chairman of the Tay Ninh Provincial People's Committee Huynh Van Son with other delegates at the Forum. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Austria) |
This is an opportunity for both sides to strengthen friendly relations, expand economic cooperation, and promote people-to-people exchanges through tourism, where enhancing air connectivity is crucial. According to Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang, Vietnam's tourism is thriving. In 2025, Vietnam welcomed over 21 million international visitors. In the first nine months of 2026, this number reached 17.7 million, an increase of 14.5% compared to the same period last year.
Vietnam aims to welcome approximately 25 million international visitors in 2026, leveraging its advantages in security, safety, natural landscapes, cultural heritage, beaches, cave systems, and rich cuisine.
The Ambassador also highlighted Vietnam's new strategic vision in Resolution 26 dated August 22 by the Politburo on developing Vietnam's tourism into a spearhead economic sector in the new era, using culture as the core foundation, identity, and quality of experience as competitive advantages, linking tourism development with cultural industry development, contributing to promoting the country's image, enhancing its position, reputation, and national soft power.
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| Director General of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh speaks online. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Austria) |
Director General of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh affirmed that Vietnam always values the European market, including Austria; Vietnam's tourism sector has developed a product ecosystem that suits the preferences of Austrian tourists, including deep cultural and heritage journeys, green and ecological tourism, nature exploration, eco-resorts, wellness, and exquisite cuisine; committed to maximum support for Austrian travel companies, promoting activities to advertise Vietnam's tourism image in Austria and Central Europe, and closely coordinating with airlines to enhance convenient air connectivity.
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| Standing Vice Chairman of the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee Mai Xuan Liem participates in the Forum. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Austria) |
At the Forum, Standing Vice Chairman of the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee Mai Xuan Liem and Vice Chairman of the Tay Ninh Provincial People's Committee Huynh Van Son introduced the local advantages in history, culture, and natural landscapes.
Thanh Hoa offers products combining nature exploration, hiking, heritage discovery, and local life experiences with great potential to attract Austrian tourists. Tay Ninh boasts strengths in resort tourism, spiritual tourism, ecological and community tourism. Both provinces call for increased cooperation in promotion, market demand research, and developing suitable tourism programs.
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| Ingrid Zimmermann, representative of the Austrian Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism, speaks. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Austria) |
On the Austrian side, Ingrid Zimmermann, representative of the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism, noted that Vietnam is increasingly becoming an attractive destination for Austrian tourists thanks to its natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and hospitality. She expressed a desire for businesses, management agencies, and tourism organizations from both countries to utilize the Forum to enhance information exchange, seek partners, and implement specific cooperation programs.
Tanja Gruber, representative of the Austrian National Tourist Office, stated that tourism contributes about 6.5% to Austria's GDP. In 2025, the country welcomed approximately 48 million visitors, with a total of 157 million overnight stays; nearly 75% of these overnight stays came from international visitors, with a significant increase from Southeast Asia due to strengths in nature, cultural heritage, and music.
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| Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Vu Le Thai Hoang exchanges with guests. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Austria) |
Tourism plays a crucial role in job creation and boosting local economies, especially in rural and mountainous areas. Austria is currently implementing a tourism strategy aimed at sustainable year-round development, combining economic efficiency, ensuring community benefits, and preserving natural and cultural resources. As the Asian market becomes increasingly important, Austria seeks to enhance cooperation and tourist exchanges with Vietnam.
The Vietnam-Austria Tourism Forum is expected to create more opportunities for connections among management agencies, travel companies, and airline partners, contributing to promoting destinations, diversifying products, and boosting bilateral tourism cooperation in the future.
(Source: Embassy of Vietnam in Austria)
