Khải Định Tomb is one of must-visit historic site when visiting Huế. VNA/VNS Photos

 HUẾ — The “Plastic-Reducing Tourism” push, launched in Thuỷ Biều ward and now expanded to iconic sites like Thanh Toàn tile-roofed bridge,  Ngư Mỹ Thạnh-Cồn Tộc, and Chuồn lagoon, is gaining traction. They are becoming go-to zones for community-based tourism, drawing visitors eager to immerse themselves in local traditions.

Timeless beauty of Thanh Toàn tile-roofed bridge.

Nguyễn Thị Anh Ngọc, a local tour guide, said Thanh Toàn tile bridge has seen the transformation firsthand. “Locals are more environmentally aware,” she said. “The river is cleaner, and standard waste bins make it easy for tourists to sort trash”. Simple yet engaging green tours here, popular with foreigners, offer authentic glimpses into Huế’s culture and people.

Rú Chá mangrove forest.

From A Lưới’s lush hills to the Tam Giang – Cầu Hai lagoon, Rú Chá mangrove forests, and Phước Tích ancient village, Hue is sprucing up its natural and community hotspots.

Huế offers unique tours like “Exploring fishing villages and kayaking on Tam Giang lagoon”.

 Unique tours like “A Net Zero Day in Huế”, “Exploring fishing villages and kayaking on Tam Giang lagoon,” and “Green cycling to Gia Long Tomb” are becoming exclusive products, hooking eco-conscious travellers with authentic vibes.

Visitors take part in the “Green cycling to Gia Long Tomb” tour.

Huế is pioneering a bicycle-friendly model, while expanding pedestrian zones, community cycling, and public electric vehicles. Digital innovations, including e-tickets, automated guides, Huế City Passport app, and 3D food maps, are levelling up the tourist experience without losing that cultural soul.

Huế is pioneering a bicycle-friendly model. Hundreds join “Áo dài cycling for the environment” in Huế in June 2024 .

Nguyễn Đức Huy, a Hanoi tourist, raved about the bike system along the Hương River. “With a QR code scan, exploring Huế is easy and affordable,” he said, noting how it complements the city’s serene and poetic charm.
 

Huế expands pedestrian zones, community cycling, and public electric vehicles. In the photo: Tourists experience cycling around Gia Long Tomb.

The city is embracing technology to become a “smart” tourism destination. The municipal Department of Tourism has launched a multilingual guide app and an AI platform that creates custom travel plans. Plus, the Visithue portal, which is accessible on social media, is being upgraded to improve access to information.

At the Huế Imperial Citadel and other sites within the Complex of Huế Monuments, smart check-in stations provide real-time data on visitor numbers, enriching independent exploration.

Huế Monuments Conservation Centre, in collaboration with Phygital Labs, installs 17 check-in stations around the Hue Imperial Citadel to serve visitors exploring the former imperial capital.

Hải Vân Quan exemplifies Huế’s digital success. Its nine check-in points have logged over 2,000 interactions, creating 200 memorable moments and boosting revenue while promoting cultural heritage through interactive technology.

Hải Vân Quan draws visitors.

Huế is positioning itself as a creative heritage tourism hub, expanding its global reach through partnerships with Korean firms like NOL UNIVERSE and the Korea Association of Travel Agents (KATA). Promotional campaigns are underway in Europe and Southeast Asia, alongside plans for direct flights to the Republic of Korea (RoK).

Accelerating growth for breakthroughs

Foreigners visit Huế Imperial Citadel.

The Visit Việt Nam Year 2025 is set to be a breakout moment for Huế. In the first half of the year, the city welcomed nearly 3.4 million visitors, representing a 70 per cent annual increase. Over 1.2 million foreigners, mostly from France, the US, Germany, the UK, and the RoK, poured in, boosting tourism revenue to nearly VNĐ6.7 trillion (US$268 million), up 59 per cent annually. These impressive growth figures highlight the local socio-economic development, affirming tourism as a spearhead economic sector.

With an estimated 5.5 – 6 million visitors in 2025, Huế is chasing international markets in Europe, North America, Northeast Asia, and Oceania, which boast stable, high-spending tourists and growing demand for sophisticated services. A key highlight is Huế’s presence in cultural weeks in Europe, a traditional market and a gateway for spreading its images worldwide.

Opening ceremony of National Tourism Year – Huế 2025.

 While the international market helps Huế reach further, the domestic market remains a stable growth pillar. The new Phú Bài International Airport, completed expressways, and improved connections with other regional tourism hubs are making Huế more accessible. Green tourism programmes, festivals, and major events like the Huế Festival and the Visit Việt Nam Year 2025 are expected to draw crowds, showcasing Huế’s vibrant culture, from royal festivals to traditional music and rural community experiences.

Symphony Huế: A captivating music show on October 2024. Photo of MoCST

Huế is crafting a diverse tourism portfolio, encompassing health and wellness, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions), golf, spiritual and luxury retreats, and cultural industry tourism, with the Symphony Huế being a flagship offering. Brands such as “Huế – Capital of Cuisine,” “Huế – Capital of Vietnamese Áo Dài,” and “City of Festivals” are being meticulously planned to captivate tourists, investors, and global media.

According to Director of the municipal Department of Tourism Trần Thị Hoài Trâm, the city is determined to make a breakthrough in the latter half by developing key tourism products rooted in its cultural foundation, accelerating digital transformation, and prioritising smart management and promotions. Professional marketing activities are expanding markets and improving the quality of tourism resources.

A traditional Vietnamese costume parade as part of the Huế Community Áo Dài Week 2025.

Huế’s journey toward sustainable tourism is deliberate, distinctive, and steeped in identity, yet boldly modern. Through strategic investments, clear strategies and a commitment to green, culturally rich experiences, Huế is not only reviving its inherent values but also redefining its place on the global tourism map. VNA/VNS