Viet Nam Tourism, Market Depts Partner to Boost Shopping Tourism

Vietnam Agencies Formalise Cooperation

On 15 October 2026, Vietnam's Department of Domestic Market Management and Development, operating under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Viet Nam National Tourism Administration, part of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, formally established a Memorandum of Cooperation.

This agreement, set to run from 2026 to 2030, aims to advance contemporary shopping tourism models across the country. A primary objective is to broaden distribution channels for Vietnamese products, simultaneously elevating the standard of visitor interactions and safeguarding the rights of tourists.

The two agencies are collaborating to integrate tourism growth with the consumption of locally produced goods, focusing on enhancing the overall quality of tourist destinations in a transparent, safe, and sustainable manner.

Promoting Local Goods and Shopping Models

The memorandum outlines several areas for joint action, including research into effective shopping models and proposals for policy frameworks to support their development. It also seeks to align promotional campaigns, communication efforts, and consumer incentives with major tourism events, dedicated shopping weeks, and targeted promotional initiatives.

The focus will be on a range of Vietnamese items, such as handicraft products, cultural industrial goods, regional specialities, and tourist souvenirs.

Furthermore, the agreement includes plans to identify and establish dedicated display points for Vietnamese products in prominent tourist areas and destinations, alongside compiling a register of reputable shopping establishments for visitors.

Digital Tools and Traceability

Under the new agreement, the Vietnamese agencies will work to strengthen connections between travel, accommodation, and transportation providers with shopping centres, supermarkets, manufacturing facilities, and retail outlets catering to tourists.

They will also support businesses involved in producing and distributing Vietnamese goods to gain access to key tourist locations and lodging facilities. A significant component of the cooperation involves assisting businesses in adopting digital platforms, e-commerce solutions, cashless payment systems, and other smart utilities.

Both parties will also exchange insights on domestic market demands to foster product innovation and enhance service quality. The memorandum also considers implementing traceability measures to ensure product transparency and build greater confidence among tourists.

Safeguarding Tourist Rights and Product Authenticity

A key aspect of the collaboration focuses on protecting tourists from commercial fraud and ensuring product quality.

The Department of Domestic Market Management and Development and the Viet Nam National Tourism Administration will coordinate to receive and address tourist complaints concerning counterfeit goods, smuggled items, products of unknown origin, commercial fraud, and violations related to pricing, quality, measurement, food safety, and consumer rights at tourist destinations.

This initiative will integrate feedback mechanisms from the "Viet Nam Travel" application and the tourism industry's official email system with the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development's processing hub.

The agencies will also issue warnings about non-compliant businesses and guide tourists towards trusted shopping venues, thereby improving safe purchasing practices.

Economic Vision for Shopping Tourism

Mr. Tran Huu Linh, Director of the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development, stated that tourism development is closely linked to the growth of the domestic market. He noted that expanding shopping tourism diversifies travel products, increases tourist spending, and promotes the value of Vietnamese goods, regional specialities, and handicrafts.

Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director of the Viet Nam National Tourism Administration, added that this agreement is a practical step towards making tourism a key economic sector.

He anticipates the programme will establish shopping tourism as a strategic product with high appeal and added value, boosting the consumption of Vietnamese goods, improving service standards, and protecting tourist rights, ultimately contributing to a civilised, safe, and high-quality tourism environment in Vietnam.