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The Hai Phong City People's Committee has recently issued a directive instructing municipal Departments, boards, sectors, mass organizations, and the People's Committees of communes, wards, and special zones to focus on implementing Decision No. 2331/QD-BVHTTDL dated September 10, 2026, of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism regarding the Action Program for the Implementation of the Tourism System Master Plan for the 2021–2030 Period, with a Vision to 2045. This represents an important step toward concrete implementation of the national tourism development strategy, maximizing the island tourism potential and cultural heritage of the Port City. Hai Phong Doi Rong International Tourist Area (Photo source: DCST) Issuance Context and Directives of Hai Phong City The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Decision No. 2331/QD-BVHTTDL on September 10, 2026, approving the Action Program for the Implementation of the Tourism System Master Plan for the 2021–2030 Period, with a Vision to 2045. The Program was formulated based on Prime Minister's Decision No. 509/QD-TTg dated June 13, 2024, and Decision No. 374/QD-BVHTTDL dated February 28, 2026, of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism approving adjustments to the Tourism System Master Plan, ensuring alignment with administrative reorganization requirements and new institutional regulations. Immediately following the issuance of Decision No. 2331/QD-BVHTTDL, the Office of the Hai Phong City People's Committee promptly communicated the guiding opinions of Vice Chairman Nguyen Minh Hung. The City People's Committee assigned specific duties to departments, agencies, and localities: Continuing Assigned Tasks: Municipal Departments, boards, sectors, mass organizations, and People's Committees of communes, wards, and special zones shall continue to strictly carry out assigned tasks under Official Dispatch No. 3457/VP-VX dated April 1, 2026, of the Office of the City People's Committee regarding the implementation of Decision No. 374/QD-BVHTTDL. Lead Responsibility of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism: The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall take the lead, coordinating with Departments, agencies, mass organizations, and local People's Committees to review and execute tasks within their functions and authority. Integration into the Master Scheme for Tourism Development: The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall identify municipal-level tasks and propose integrating them into the Implementation Plan for the Master Scheme on Tourism Development of Hai Phong City through 2030, with orientation to 2045, following its official approval. This requires clear assignment of lead agencies, coordinating bodies, deliverables, and completion deadlines, avoiding duplication with previously assigned tasks. Focal Point for Monitoring and Reporting: The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall serve as the focal point for monitoring and summarizing progress, periodically reporting to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (via the Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism) before December 15 annually, and promptly reporting matters exceeding local authority to the City People's Committee. The city also requested that during the formulation of relevant plans, units must ensure integration and alignment with the Tourism System Master Plan, proactively proposing suitable land allocation to attract investment in tourism areas and connecting infrastructure, while actively budgeting and mobilizing legal resources. The enchanting Cat Ba Island (Photo source: DCST) Key Contents of the Action Program of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism The Action Program promulgated under Decision No. 2331/QD-BVHTTDL outlines strategic task groups and solutions: a) Institutions, Tourism Space, and Investment Infrastructure Institutional Improvement: Reviewing and proposing amendments to the 2017 Law on Tourism; perfecting national standards and technical regulations; standardizing tourism human resources according to ASEAN occupational standards. Spatial Organization and Investment Development: Formulating master plans to attract investment in 10 recognized National Tourism Areas and potential locations; accelerating application dossiers for National Tourism Area designation; attracting investment in growth poles and tourism centers. Hai Phong, alongside Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, and others, belongs to the key tourism development driver area. Transportation Connectivity: Reviewing and synchronizing connections across road, rail, inland waterway, maritime, and air transport to tourism centers and National Tourism Areas. b) Tourism Products and Market Promotion Product Diversification: Developing high-end island tourism, eco-resorts, cultural heritage, and urban tourism linked with the night-time economy; MICE, wellness, and eco-tourism within world biosphere reserves and protected areas. Promotion & Marketing: Accelerating the campaign "Vietnam - A Safe, Friendly, and Attractive Destination"; launching marketing campaigns in key target markets (Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, North America, India, the Middle East); developing digital marketing and a network of tourism promotion offices. c) Digital Transformation, Human Resources, and Green Tourism Digital Transformation: Building a smart tourism ecosystem and digital tourism applications; completing the National Tourism Database with synchronized connectivity from central to local levels. Human Resource Development: Training high-quality human resources, fostering skills in AI, Big Data, and IoT applications; strengthening linkages between educational institutions and tourism enterprises. Green & Sustainable Tourism: Implementing green tourism criteria sets; achieving 100% single-use plastic-free accommodations and coastal tourism areas by 2030; operating circular economy models, ensuring compliant waste treatment, and formulating climate change adaptation plans. d) National Defense and Security Planning and infrastructure investment processes for coastal, island, and border tourism areas must consult the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security to ensure the integration of socio-economic development with national defense and security. Strategic Significance for Hai Phong's Tourism Development The implementation of Decision No. 2331/QD-BVHTTDL holds profound purpose and strategic significance for Hai Phong: (1) Localizing National Planning: Translating the orientations of the National Tourism System Master Plan for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2045, into local practice, ensuring consistency and synchronization from central to grassroots levels; (2) Clear Assignment of Responsibilities: Defining clear lead agencies, coordinating bodies, outputs, and completion timelines for each department, sector, and locality; (3) Resource Mobilization: Creating a favorable environment to mobilize state budget funds and attract private investment and strategic investors into island tourism infrastructure. The strategic significance is expected to bring the following benefits to Hai Phong: (1) Help Hai Phong maximize the potential of the Cat Ba - Ha Long Bay World Natural Heritage Site, Do Son and Bach Long Vi to form high-class island and sea tourism products; (2) Apply green tourism criteria, reducing plastic waste, and deploying digital technologies will propel Hai Phong's tourism industry toward modern and sustainable growth; (3) Reaffirm Hai Phong's role as a key tourism growth pole in Northern Vietnam, helping transform tourism into a spearhead economic sector and elevating the foreign relations standing of the Port City. The City People's Committee is determined to direct all levels and sectors to successfully execute the Action Program, driving Hai Phong's tourism toward breakthrough growth in the new period!