UNESCO Hanoi: Embracing Opportunities and Shaping Future

Over the past 15 years, the Unesco Hanoi Travel Club has solidified its position as a pioneering organization in connecting tourism enterprises, fostering international cooperation, and enhancing the global brand of Vietnamese tourism. Through a series of innovative activities, the club has not only supported domestic travel businesses but also played a crucial role in expanding Vietnam’s tourism market internationally.

Director General of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism highly appreciates the effectiveness of the UNESCO Hanoi Travel Club's activities and provides guidance on its future direction.

Appreciating the Unesco Hanoi Travel club’s contributions, Director General of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, Nguyen Trung Khanh, emphasized that the Unesco Hanoi Travel Club has made significant contributions to the growth of tourism in both Hanoi and the nation as a whole. With dedication, creativity, and relentless effort, the club has enriched tourism offerings, improved service quality, and, most importantly, promoted Vietnam’s image and culture to international visitors. These achievements have not only contributed to the overall development of Hanoi’s tourism industry but have also elevated Vietnam’s position on the global tourism map.

Embracing opportunities

Founded in 2009, the Unesco Hanoi Travel Club (UNESCO Hanoi) has grown into one of the most prestigious professional organizations in Vietnam’s tourism sector. With over 800 members nationwide, the club not only connects travel enterprises but also leads initiatives in tourism promotion, destination marketing, and sustainable development.

President of the UNESCO Hanoi Travel Club, Truong Quoc Hung, awarded a Certificate of Merit from Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director General of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, in recognition of the club's achievements over the past 15 years.

 Over the past 15 years, the club has made remarkable contributions to the industry by organizing numerous events, conferences, surveys, and promotional programs to highlight Hanoi and Vietnam’s top travel destinations to both domestic and international visitors. Additionally, the club actively participates in cultural and natural heritage conservation efforts, encouraging its member businesses to adopt sustainable tourism practices.

By continuously expanding partnerships with international organizations, the club facilitates opportunities for exchange and learning from advanced tourism models worldwide. It also contributes to shaping policies for Hanoi and Vietnam’s tourism industry, helping improve the business environment for travel companies.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the club swiftly adapted, supporting businesses in maintaining operations, sharing crisis management strategies, and identifying new directions for domestic tourism. From 2020 to 2024, the club actively supported the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism’s "Vietnamese people travel in Vietnam" campaign, collaborating with localities to implement stimulus programs, develop new tourism products, and promote safe travel destinations.

One of the club’s notable achievements was its partnership with the Vietnam Railway Corporation, as well as the Departments of Tourism in Quang Binh and Lao Cai, to launch charter train services on the Hanoi - Quang Binh and Hanoi - Lao Cai routes. Between 2020 and 2023, club members organized around 20 charter train trips, catering to leisure travelers and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) groups. In 2022 alone, approximately 8,000 tourists traveled to Quang Binh province via these charter services, boosting tourism in central Vietnam and introducing an innovative travel product.

Following the pandemic, the club remained at the forefront of tourism recovery efforts. In 2022, it launched several tourism stimulus events and conducted surveys of emerging travel products in the provinces of Hanoi, Nha Trang, Ninh Thuan, Da Lat, Nghe An, Bac Giang, Son La, and Lang Son. In 2023–2024, in addition to domestic surveys, the club expanded its collaboration with international partners to conduct exploratory trips in Phuket (Thailand), Lijiang (China), and Bali (Indonesia).

Leader of the Hanoi Department of Tourism present Certificates of Merit to five business executives of UNESCO Hanoi for their outstanding achievements.

Looking ahead to 2024, the club continues to strengthen international networking and engagement through events such as the "Zhangjiajie - captivating the world" seminar (August 16, 2024), the "Hello Chongqing" program (November 15, 2024), and the "Hello jilin" initiative (November 18, 2024). The club also prioritizes research on tourism trends, organizes promotional seminars, updates members on travel business regulations, and hosts technology-focused tourism conferences (November 8, 2024).

Beyond its contributions to the tourism sector, UNESCO Hanoi actively engages in social and charitable initiatives. It has organized fundraising efforts to support flood-affected communities in central Vietnam, distributed face masks to tourists in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City during the COVID-19 crisis, and launched relief programs in Ha Giang, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, and Lao Cai in September 2024, with total donations reaching hundreds of millions of VND.

Recognizing its unwavering contributions over the past 15 years, the club has been honored with 17 commendations and certificates of merit from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, various provincial People’s Committees and Departments of Tourism, and the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board. These accolades underscore the club’s ongoing commitment to sustainable tourism development and fostering a strong travel community.

Shaping the future

According to Truong Quoc Hung, President of the Unesco Hanoi Travel Club, the club aims to further strengthen its role as a professional industry organization, acting as a "bridge" between businesses, localities, and international partners. It remains dedicated to fostering stronger connections, supporting sustainable development, and enhancing the competitiveness of its members in an increasingly integrated tourism landscape. Ultimately, the club seeks to elevate the image of Hanoi and Vietnam as premier travel destinations.

From 2025 to 2028, the club will focus on enhancing organizational quality and expanding its tourism operations. It will work closely with the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism and the Hanoi Department of Tourism to intensify international market promotion, participating in major roadshows and tourism fairs across Europe and Asia. In addition to market expansion, the club prioritizes business collaboration, forging partnerships with airlines to secure competitive fares for members, thereby strengthening Vietnam’s position in inbound, outbound, and domestic tourism.

Moreover, UNESCO Hanoi encourages members to actively engage in tourism development programs spearheaded by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism and the Hanoi Department of Tourism, particularly in the realm of green and sustainable tourism. The club plans to deepen cooperation with industry associations and organizations to foster a cohesive environment for knowledge exchange, policy updates, and rapid adaptation to market fluctuations.

Signing ceremony of the partnership agreement between UNESCO Hanoi and strategic partners to boost tourism in 2025

 Internally, the club will host panel discussions and talk shows to help businesses stay informed on market trends and foster new partnerships. Regular training sessions on industry regulations, tourism product development, and business procedures will be implemented to enhance member capabilities.

With its impressive track record over the past 15 years, Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism is confident that the Unesco Hanoi Travel Club will continue playing a key role in elevating Hanoi and Vietnam’s tourism sector on the global stage.

"To establish tourism as a leading economic sector in this new era - an era where our nation ascends to new heights - we must continuously innovate, embrace creativity, and harness the collective strength of organizations, businesses, and government agencies," he emphasized.

Source: Vietnam Business Forum