Widely regarded as the most prestigious accolade in the country’s tourism industry, the awards not only recognise excellence among enterprises, organisations, training institutions, and media agencies but also reflect the robust growth of the local tourism industry considered an economic driver that has emerged as one of the fastest-recovering in the region and among the world’s top performers post-pandemic.

Despite the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, Vietnam’s tourism industry has proven its resilience, becoming one of the brightest recovery stories in Southeast Asia. The ASEAN Secretariat has ranked Vietnam as the country with the fastest tourism recovery in the region, reaching 98% of pre-pandemic levels. According to the latest UN Tourism report, Vietnam posted 21% growth in the first half of 2025, among the world’s highest.

In the first eight months of 2025, Vietnam welcomed nearly 14 million international arrivals (up 21.7% year on year), served 106 million domestic travelers, and generated an estimated VND707 trillion in revenue. The country has also steadily improved its ranking in the World Economic Forum’s Global Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index.

These achievements stem from the Government’s strong leadership, close coordination between ministries, sectors, and localities, and the active participation of businesses and media. The industry has tapped into its rich natural and cultural assets to develop flagship products, introduced innovative and diverse experiences, improved service quality, strengthened destination branding, and advanced technology in management, promotion, and marketing.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong emphasised that the Vietnam Tourism Awards, held every five years, aim to inspire healthy competition, ensure service quality, diversify products, enhance professionalism, and steadily build Vietnam’s tourism brand while fostering its role as a spearhead sector of the national economy. He highlighted Vietnam’s unique advantages, including diverse landscapes, world-class heritage sites, heroic history, rich cultural traditions, and warm hospitality, along with strong political will to elevate tourism into a key economic growth engine.

To achieve the 2025 targets of welcoming 25 million international visitors and 150 million domestic tourists, making Vietnam a leading safe, friendly, and attractive destination regionally and globally, the Ministry has been working closely with stakeholders to develop a smart tourism ecosystem tied to digital transformation. Initiatives include enhancing connectivity, prioritising visitor experience, and launching the “Professional service – Thoughtful care – Civilised behaviour – Green, clean, beautiful environment” campaign under the brand “Smile of Vietnam.”

The awards also promote sustainable development by honouring enterprises that excel in environmental protection, community benefits, and innovation, while encouraging investments in vocational training and international-standard education to strengthen human resources—the foundation for long-term growth.

This year marks the 20th edition of the Vietnam Tourism Awards, with 113 enterprises and organisations recognised across 11 categories and 18 titles, covering areas such as Best Travel Companies; Best Hotels; Best Event Venues; Best Transport Services; Best Restaurants and Spas; Best Golf Courses; Best Community-based Tourism Sites; Most Creative Tourism Products; Best Media Agencies and Training Institutions.

Among the awardees were leading industry names such as Vietravel, Saigontourist, Hanoitourist, Flamingo Redtours, VietranTour, Saco Travel, and major hospitality brands like Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long, Caravelle Saigon, as well as national carriers Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air.

Special recognition went to Green Hotels such as Ana Mandara Cam Ranh, Salinda Resort Phu Quoc, Azerai La Residence Hue, and Silk Sense Hoi An River Resort; and to outstanding community tourism sites including Sin Suui Ho village, Pa Vi Ha Mong cultural village, the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism, Thai Hai eco stilt house village, and Thanh Ha pottery village.

The rigorous selection process involved 209 submissions reviewed by an 11-member council of state officials, associations, and experts, ensuring transparency and fairness based on clearly defined criteria. Only the most exemplary enterprises with outstanding contributions were honoured.

The Vietnam Tourism Awards 2025 reaffirm tourism’s role as a creative industry contributing to sustainable development and national branding. By spotlighting innovation, quality, professionalism, and responsibility, the awards serve as a catalyst for the industry’s continued growth and for positioning Vietnam as a world-class destination.

Vietnam Tourism Awards 2025 to be presented in late September

VOV.VN - The Vietnam Tourism Awards 2025 will be held in Hanoi on September 27 that coincides with World Tourism Day, carrying the global theme of “Tourism and Sustainability” launched by UN Tourism, according to a press briefing in Hanoi on September 22.