School of Hospitality and Tourism – Hue University, Vietnam successfully hosted the 7th International Conference on Tourism Development in Vietnam

 

On August 1 and 2, 2025, the School of Hospitality and Tourism – Hue University in collaboration with the National Economics University (NEU), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Hue Monuments Conservation Center successfully co-organized the 7th International Conference on Tourism Development in Vietnam, with the theme “Tourism – Heritage – City – Creativity”.

Assoc.Prof. Tran Huu Tuan, Rector, School of Hospitality and Tourism addressed the conference

Opening Remarks by Dr. Do Thi Xuan Dung, Vice President, Hue University

Taking place at Hue University Hall (No. 1, Dien Bien Phu, Hue City), the conference attracted more than 100 delegates who are scholars, managers, and tourism experts.This is an opportunity for researchers, experts and policy makers from many countries to meet, exchange and work towards a common vision of sustainable tourism development, associated with preserving heritage values and promoting the power of innovation in modern urban areas. This year’s event has special significance as Hue has just officially become a centrally-governed city since the beginning of 2025 and is playing the role of the locality hosting the National Tourism Year. In that context, the conference is not only an academic forum but also a prominent activity in the series of events of Hue Festival 2025, contributing to raising the image of the city on the international creative tourism map.

Heritage and Creativity Intersection

The conference opened with inspiring speeches from influential figures in the tourism and heritage sector. Among them, Dr. Peter Debrine, Director of the Sustainable Tourism Program of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, highlighted the role of cultural heritage in creating unique tourism experiences, while calling on heritage cities like Hue to continue to pioneer in responsible tourism development. Professor Noel Scott from Edith Cowan University, Australia provided strategic perspectives on cultural destination management. Along with that was practical sharing from Mr. Hoang Viet Trung – Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Center around strategies for preserving monuments associated with developing creative urban areas in Hue.

Morning discussion session

Afternoon discussion session

The speeches highlighted the role of tourism as a bridge between the past and the future, between cultural identity and innovation, and addressed the challenges of heritage conservation in the face of increasing urbanization, opening up new approaches to sustainable tourism development, community connection and technology application.

Dr. Do Thi Xuan Dung, Vice President, Hue University and Prof. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President, National Economics University presented souvenirs to keynote speakers.

12 parallel thematic discussion sessions: multidimensional, modern and linked to practice

The conference took place with 12 parallel discussion sessions, attracting the participation of more than 100 scholars from universities, research institutes and international organizations. Topics presented ranged from heritage tourism and management; creativity; destination management; sustainability; tourist behavior and experience; community-based tourism; and authenticity in tourism.

In the field of heritage, many notable studies such as the presentation by Chujun Wang and Carolin Funck (Japan) on spiritual tourism on Miyajima Island, or the article by Dr. Shamjetshabam Babeena Chanu and Dr. Moirangthem Monica Devi (India) on connecting Vietnam – India through cultural tourism, show the importance of indigenous elements and historical memories in the tourist experience. In terms of innovation, the research team of Maren Viol, Darius Postma and Lee McMillan brought an interesting look at the application of artificial intelligence in training students in event management in Vietnam.

Assoc.Prof. Tran Huu Tuan, Rector of the School and Assoc.Prof. Pham Truong Hoang, Dean, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality, National Economics University, exchanged souvenirs

Meanwhile, young researchers from Vietnam also left a strong impression with a series of in-depth studies. The group of authors including Nguyen Phi Long, Pham Truong Hoang, Dong Thuy Duong, Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and Bui Minh Tam simultaneously presented many topics related to the destination image of Hanoi and Hue, as well as the role of creative festivals in activating nostalgic emotions in tourists. Topics such as “Green consumption behavior” by Le Chi Cong and colleagues, or “Spiritual tourism” by Linh Nguyen Phuong and Quyen Vo Hanh show that a new tourism trend is forming in Vietnam – where tourists not only explore but also seek spiritual and sustainable connections. Another special highlight is the research on community tourism. From the story of tourism development after the Covid-19 pandemic in Quang Dien (Hue) shared by the group of authors Bui Thien Nga, Ngo Cong Thinh and Mai Van Xuan, to the model of peace tourism with war memories in Quang Ngai presented by Tran Thi Tuyet Suong, these reports all suggest humane and sustainable directions for the local tourism industry.

 

Parallel Session Chairs: Dr. Vu Nam, National Economics University and Dr. Tran Thi Ngoc Lien, Vice Rector, School of Hospitality and Tourism-Hue University

The 12 parallel sessions concluded with the sharing from Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Phuong Ngoc (Aix Marseille University, France) presenting a community perspective on heritage conservation and Ms. Maria Kouteili from the UNESCO Office in Hanoi on Hue’s leading role in realizing heritage values into contemporary life, especially through education and technology.

Contribute to raising Hue’s profile on the international academic tourism map

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Assoc.Prof. Tran Huu Tuan, Rector, affirmed: “The connection between researchers, managers and the community will be the key to Hue tourism developing both sustainably and creatively”. He also thanked the co-organizers, researchers, lecturers, students and international partners who accompanied and contributed to the success of the conference. Today’s academic discussions are the first step for major movements in the future and a belief that from Hue – a heritage city – a unique model of creative and sustainable tourism can be shaped in Vietnam.

Conference MC: Ms. Ton Nu Quynh Anh, Faculty of Travel Management and Mr. Dam Le Tan Anh, Faculty of Hospitality Management, School of Hospitality and Tourism-Hue University

With the quality of academic content, the systematic organization and the participation of various domestic and international speakers, the 7th International Conference on Tourism Development in Vietnam with the theme “Tourism – Heritage – City – Creativity” has affirmed the academic center role of the School of Hospitality and Tourism – Hue University in the field of tourism research and development. This is also an important premise for academic initiatives to continue to spread, creating a foundation for the 8th Conference in the future – where academia, policy and practice continue to intersect for a more civilized, responsible and creative Vietnamese tourism industry.

The conference ended with the message: Heritage is not only something to be preserved, but also a priceless source of creativity, if viewed with a modern mindset. And Hue – in its new role as a Central City – is gradually becoming an international model for tourism development based on conservation.

Minh Nhat (Faculty of Event Management and Communication Technology)