Guided by the strategic orientation of Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW (issued on January 24, 2025, by the Politburo) and the specific implementation roadmap of Plan No. 316/KH-UBND (dated November 12, 2025, by the City People’s Council), Hai Phong city is undergoing a profound transformation. By positioning culture, sports, and tourism as key pillars of its global identity, the "Port City" aims to become a leading hub in Northern Vietnam for international exchange and sustainable development by 2030.
Elevating Global Competitiveness through Heritage
The centerpiece of Hai Phong’s international integration is the enhancement of its global tourism competitiveness, particularly through its UNESCO-recognized sites. The global appeal of the Cat Ba Archipelago World Natural Heritage has seen a monumental surge. Since its recognition, Cat Ba has benefited from a "global brand effect," resulting in a 115% increase in visitors during the first quarter of 2024 alone.
Hai Phong’s competitive edge lies in its "dual resource" model: the majestic biodiversity of Cat Ba (appealing to Western markets interested in eco-tourism and adventure) and the deep historical roots of cultural sites like Con Son – Kiep Bac (attracting Asian and domestic markets interested in spiritual and experiential tourism). To maintain this edge, the city has pioneered "Green Tourism," implementing plastic-free campaigns in Lan Ha Bay and transitioning to eco-friendly aquaculture models.
Cultural Diplomacy and Global Presence
International integration under Plan 316 is not limited to domestic efforts; it involves bringing Hai Phong to the world. A significant milestone was the city’s participation in the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF 2025). For the first time, Hai Phong represented Vietnam with an official cinema booth, showcasing images of Cat Ba and local heritage to a global audience of producers and directors. This initiative exceeded its goals, opening doors for international co-productions and positioning the city as a potential filming location for global projects.
Furthermore, Hai Phong has strengthened regional ties through the 2026 Spring Meeting with Guangxi, China. This collaboration focuses on substantial results: signing Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) for cross-border tours, road and sea connectivity, and learning from Guangxi’s advanced models of digital transformation in heritage management.
Sports as a Gateway for Integration
Hai Phong has successfully utilized international sporting events to affirm its professional organizational capacity and modern infrastructure. The Hai Phong Rowing Training Center was selected to host the 2025 Asian Rowing Championship, the largest event of its kind in Asia. This follows the city's successful hosting of events for SEA Games 31 and the 2024 Southeast Asian Rowing and Canoeing Championship. By hosting continental-level competitions, Hai Phong effectively promotes its image to hundreds of international athletes and millions of viewers, fostering a reputation as a world-class sports destination.
Digital Transformation: The Bridge to 2030
A core component of the integration strategy is the digitalization of cultural and historical values. Hai Phong is investing in cutting-edge technologies to make its heritage accessible to a global audience 24/7. Key initiatives include:
- Digital Museums and 3D Virtual Tours: Utilizing 3D scanning for iconic landmarks such as the City Opera House and Hang Kenh Communal House.
- Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): Implementing AR at heritage sites to allow visitors to see reconstructed historical scenes or simulated traditional festivals through their smartphones.
- The "Super App" for Tourism: A unified mobile platform providing festival schedules, ticket booking, and AI Chatbots to support international travelers in multiple languages.
- Heritage Big Data: Establishing a cloud-based database for all ancient books, inscriptions, and cultural documents, ensuring long-term preservation and research capabilities.
The Pursuit of UNESCO Recognition and Cultural Industries
Hai Phong is actively working on several high-profile dossiers for UNESCO recognition, seeing these as vital for its international status. These include:
- Cheo Art of the Red River Delta: Collaborating with neighboring provinces to complete the scientific dossier for official submission.
- Nguyen Binh Khiem (Trạng Trình): Aiming for UNESCO recognition for the 450th anniversary of his passing in 2035. The city is currently translating his works into Japanese, Korean, and other languages to build international support.
- Tue Tinh (Great Physician): Preparing a dossier for the 700th anniversary of his birth in 2030, with strong community support fostered during traditional festivals.
Parallel to these dossiers, the city is developing its cultural industries, aiming for these sectors to contribute 9% of the GRDP by 2045. A major goal for the 2026–2030 period is to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) as a "City of Music". The recent opening of the Hoa Phượng Theater with 1,300 seats and plans for a dedicated Music Industry Center are concrete steps toward this ambitious vision.
Strategic Connectivity and the Foodtour Phenomenon
Integration requires accessibility. Hai Phong has aggressively expanded its aviation network, with Vietnam Airlines launching four new domestic routes in early 2026 (connecting Cat Bi to Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc, Can Tho, and Buon Ma Thuot). Internationally, direct flights to Bangkok, Thailand, have increased regional exchange and investment. To support future growth, the city is fast-tracking the construction of Passenger Terminal T2 at Cat Bi International Airport.
Culturally, the "Hai Phong Foodtour" has become a viral marketing success, attracting massive waves of young domestic and international tourists. This "organic" magnet has proven highly effective in boosting local consumption and lodging services without requiring massive marketing budgets.
Challenges and the Roadmap Ahead
Despite significant progress, Hai Phong faces critical bottlenecks. Infrastructure limitations, such as ferry congestion at the gateway to Cat Ba, remain a "fatal weakness" during peak seasons. The threat of "overtourism" also poses a risk to the integrity of pristine natural and historical sites. Furthermore, the city lacks specialized human resources in advanced fields like VR/AR management and international cultural administration.
To address these, the roadmap toward 2030 prioritizes: (1) Infrastructure Solutions: Investing in high-capacity ferries, parking systems, and cable cars to relieve pressure on Cat Ba; (2) Sustainable Regulation: Controlling the capacity of core heritage zones and promoting off-season tourism (such as winter health retreats and MICE tourism); (3) Talent Attraction: Implementing "red carpet" policies to attract artists, directors, and technology experts to work in the city's cultural sectors.
By 2030, through the resolute execution of Plan 316 and the vision of Resolution 59, Hai Phong aims to be not just a logistics powerhouse, but a vibrant, digitally-advanced, and culturally rich global destination.