On February 28, 2026, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism officially issued Decision No. 374/QD-BVHTTDL approving the adjustments to the Tourism System Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2045. This is a strategic move to reshape the nation's tourism landscape, in which Hai Phong, along with other growth poles, is tasked as a leader in promoting the tourism economy toward sustainability and modernity.
- Strategic Goal: Transforming Tourism into a True Spearhead Economic Sector
According to the new decision, the goal by 2030 is to make Vietnam's tourism a true spearhead economic sector, developing professionally, modernly, and in-depth. The tourism industry is expected to account for an increasing share of GDP, creating momentum for other industries and sectors to develop together.
Specifically, the development targets set for 2030 are highly impressive:
- Tourists: Welcoming 45-50 million international visitors (growth rate of 16-19%/year) and 160 million domestic visitors.
- Economic Contribution: The tourism industry directly contributes at least 14% to the national GDP.
- Infrastructure and Employment: The demand for accommodation reaches about 2.5 million rooms, creating 12 million jobs, including 4 million direct jobs.
The vision to 2045 aims for Vietnam to become a world-leading tourism destination. To achieve this, the plan emphasizes sustainable and creative tourism development based on green growth and a circular economy.
- Hai Phong in the Northern "Dynamic Region"
One of the key highlights of this adjusted plan is the establishment of 07 dynamic regions for tourism development. Hai Phong plays an indispensable role in the Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh - Ninh Binh Dynamic Region.
This dynamic region is oriented to promote tourism development for the entire Red River Delta and Northern region through the diverse and complementary linkage between historical-cultural tourism products, marine tourism, and world heritage sites. Hai Phong is identified as one of the key cities for developing urban-linked tourism products, with a focus on combining cultural industries and the night economy.
Specifically, in the list of potential locations for development into a National Tourist Area, Cat Ba (Hai Phong) continues to be affirmed as a tourism highlight of the Red River Delta, alongside names like Ba Vi, Huong Son (Hanoi) or Yen Tu, Van Don (Quang Ninh). The linkage of the Quang Ninh - Hai Phong tourism cluster is also being promoted to maximize the advantages of infrastructure and island-sea tourism resources.
- Commitment to the Environment and Sustainable Development
The new plan sets very strict requirements for environmental protection. By 2030, the goal is for 100% of tourist areas, sites, accommodation facilities, and coastal service businesses to not use single-use plastic products and non-biodegradable plastic bags. Tourism activities must operate toward a circular economy and effectively respond to climate change to ensure security, national defense, and social order.
- Hai Phong's Drastic Implementation
Immediately after Decision No. 374 was issued, the Hai Phong City People's Committee quickly provided specific instructions. Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee Nguyen Minh Hung assigned the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to lead and coordinate with relevant units to organize the implementation of the plan in the city.
Key tasks emphasized by city leaders include:
- Land Fund Management: Strictly implementing state management of the land fund for plan implementation, ensuring consistency with other relevant plans.
- Review and Integration: Proactively proposing the construction and adjustment of projects in the area to ensure consistency with the national tourism system plan; updating content to meet sustainable development requirements.
- Resource Mobilization: Allocating the budget and mobilizing legal social resources, with the private sector playing the leading role; the budget will focus on digital transformation, promotion, and protection of environmental resources.
- Regional Connectivity and International Integration
The plan also opens up great opportunities for Hai Phong in regional linkage. The city will strengthen links with the Northern Midland and Mountainous region along the Northern East-West tourism corridor (Dien Bien - Son La - Phu Tho - Hanoi - Hai Phong) and the North Central region along the Eastern North-South tourism corridor.
In the context of the city promoting plans to attract talent and high-quality human resources (such as Plan 104 mentioned in previous information), the development of tourism according to the new plan will create a dynamic economic ecosystem. A workforce skilled in foreign languages and highly professional will be the key factor for Hai Phong to realize its orientations for the night economy and high-end urban tourism.
Additionally, policies on improving entry and exit procedures and expanding visa exemptions are also recommended for continued implementation to create the most favorable conditions for international tourists coming to Vietnam in general and Hai Phong in particular.
Decision No. 374/QD-BVHTTDL is not just a mere plan but a "manifesto" for the future of Vietnamese tourism. With its position as an important "growth pole," Hai Phong is facing a golden opportunity to transform itself, turning the potential of Cat Ba, the marine economy, and the port city into sustainable economic values, contributing to making tourism a solid pillar of the city's and the nation's economy in the coming decades.