•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
On the afternoon of April 16, 2026, the People’s Committee of Nghệ An Province convened a meeting of the Tourism Development Steering Committee to review 2025 outcomes and set tasks for 2026. The discussion took place as the local tourism sector faces a strong need to innovate—both to sustain growth and to improve development quality—through coordinated actions across levels and sectors to redefine the province’s tourism direction in the coming period.
According to the meeting report, Nghệ An tourism continued to grow steadily in 2024–2025. In 2024, the province welcomed 9.45 million visitors and recorded 11,160 trillion VND in total revenue. In 2025, it received 9.9 million visitors and 11,900 trillion VND in total revenue.
Delegates noted that destinations including Kim Liên, Vinh City, Cửa Lò Beach, and the western region continued to attract large numbers of visitors, particularly during peak seasons. However, the meeting also identified several limitations behind the growth figures.
Director of the Nghệ An Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Trần Thị Mỹ Hạnh, said that key projects such as the Cầu Bridge Resort and Lan Châu Island North Resort are still progressing slowly, affecting the formation of large-scale tourism products.
The report also highlighted that Nghệ An still lacks high-quality tourism products and has not created experiences strong enough to retain visitors and increase spending. Seasonality remains pronounced, and during peak periods there is a shortage of service staff.
At the meeting, participants focused on mobilizing resources for promotion, improving infrastructure connectivity, and—most importantly—measures to raise the occupancy rate of visitors, described as a key determinant of the sector’s economic effectiveness.
Deputy Chairman of the People’s Committee of Nghệ An Province, Thái Văn Thành, emphasized that tourism development is difficult as the province has not attracted many large investors and public awareness of tourism remains limited.
To move beyond a mass-market approach, Nghệ An needs to adjust its mindset, clearly define product strategy and target markets, and link development to the preferences of different customer groups. Delegates also called for avoiding over-dispersed investment and placing enterprises at the center of tourism development.
An important requirement is to cultivate the image of a friendly, civilized Nghệ An among visitors. The meeting stressed that service attitudes should be professional across the tourism ecosystem, from taxi drivers and motorbike taxi riders to local people participating in services, to improve the visitor experience.
Leaders also discussed strengthening management of the tourism business environment, including resolutely addressing negative practices such as overcharging that can harm the province’s image, and establishing incentives for effective models.
Market orientation continues to focus on potential markets including Laos, Thailand, and China, while promoting community-based tourism, homestays, and building stronger tourism brands.
Leaders noted that without strong solutions, by 2030 tourism may not become a leading economic sector. As a result, finding “distinctiveness” in products, services, and people was identified as a key factor for a substantive shift.
For 2026, Nghệ An aims to welcome 10.4 million visitors, including 6.5 million staying visitors, with total revenue of 12,500 billion VND. Priority areas include Cửa Lò – Đảo Song Ngư, the western region, and Nam Đàn with Kim Liên at the core, alongside stronger linkages to expand domestic and international markets.
Premium gym chains are entering a “golden era” that is ending or already in decline, as rising operating costs collide with shifting consumer preferences toward more flexible, community-based ways to exercise. Long-term memberships are shrinking, margins are pressured by higher rents and facility expenses, and competition from smaller, more personalized…
