HorecFex Vietnam 2025 spotlights smart tourism driving future

THE HANOI TIMES — HorecFex Vietnam 2025, held on August 26-27 in the central coastal city of Danang, highlighted the importance of developing smart tourism.

Under the theme "The Way Forward", the event brought together more than 3,500 delegates, 500 enterprises, and 55 in-depth discussion sessions.

In the exhibition area, visitors experienced a range of breakthrough technologies introduced for the first time in Vietnam. The total value of the solutions and devices brought to the event was VND42 billion (US$1.6 million).

The display included the 4D Mapping Immersive Epson, 3D Virtual Reality, hotel and restaurant simulations with MetaQuest and Samsung, hologram projection combined with laser mapping, service robots, AI facial recognition, and smart check-in systems.

According to Nguyen Duc Quynh, Chairman of HorecFex Vietnam, the event brings scholars, specialists and business executives together, opening new directions for Vietnam’s tourism sector amid increasingly fierce global competition.

Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director General of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, said that infrastructure upgrading and acceleration of digital transformation are priorities for the tourism sector.

These tasks are in line with Resolution 57 of the Politburo on national innovation, science and technology development, and digital transformation, he said.

He added that Vietnam ranks 59th out of 199 countries and territories in the 2024 Travel and Tourism Development Index, a result reflecting clear progress.

From the host city’s perspective, Luong Nguyen Minh Triet, Chairman of the Danang People’s Committee, said that the event enhances the city's image as a destination, and a regional hub for conferences and exhibitions.

He added that the city will continue to innovate, foster creativity, and expand multi-dimensional cooperation to achieve sustainable development.