The announcement was made at a press conference in Hanoi on 22/9. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director General of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, stated that this is "the most prestigious award in the industry", organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism since 1999. The award aims to honor businesses and organizations that have made positive contributions to the overall development of the tourism sector, while also introducing reputable and quality brands to tourists.

"The award not only recognizes the efforts of businesses but also encourages sustainable and responsible tourism development, contributing to enhancing the international integration of Vietnam's tourism," Khanh said.

At the press conference introducing the 2025 Vietnam Tourism Awards on 22/9 in Hanoi, Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh said this is the most prestigious award in the Vietnamese tourism industry. The event, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, aims to honor tourism businesses, organizations, and high-quality training institutions that have contributed significantly to the industry's growth.

Furthermore, the award motivates organizations to excel in environmental protection and sustainable development, encourages community-beneficial activities, and enhances international integration. This award also provides domestic and international tourists with more reputable choices for tourism services in Vietnam.

Hoi An Ancient Town. Photo: Nick M

Hoi An Ancient Town. Photo: Nick M

Vietnam's tourism sector is experiencing robust growth, making the return of the awards particularly timely. In the first 8 months of 2025, Vietnam welcomed nearly 14 million international visitors, a 21.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024, and served approximately 106 million domestic tourists. Total tourism revenue is estimated at 707,000 billion VND.

These figures have positioned Vietnam as a bright spot on the global tourism map. The UN Tourism's report for the first 6 months of the year recognized Vietnam among the destinations with the highest international tourist growth rates, reaching 21%. The ASEAN Secretariat also assessed Vietnam as having the highest recovery rate in the region, reaching 98% compared to the pre-pandemic period.

According to Khanh, over 200 applications have been submitted for the awards. The jury will select 115 entries to receive awards. The awards ceremony will take place on 27/9 in Co Loa, Hanoi, with awards presented across 11 main categories and 18 titles, including: Best Travel Agency; Best Tourist Accommodation; Best Tourist Event Venue.

According to Deputy Director General Ha Van Sieu, 2025 marks the 65th anniversary of the formation and development of Vietnam's tourism industry and is also the 20th time the Tourism Awards have been held (after a 5-year hiatus due to the pandemic).

Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh speaking at the meeting this afternoon. Photo: Thuy Ha

Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh speaking at the meeting this afternoon. Photo: Thuy Ha

With the current recovery momentum, Khanh stated that the entire industry is striving to achieve the goal of welcoming 25 million international visitors in 2025, surpassing the record of 18 million in 2019 and ushering in a new phase of development. In this context, the Vietnam Tourism Awards are expected to be a catalyst for healthy competition, improving service quality, and contributing to the realization of this ambitious goal.

Phuong Anh