(TITC) – On May 27 in Hanoi, Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Chairman of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), held a meeting with Mr. Sharad Jain, Interim Chief Representative of Mastercard Vietnam, to explore directions for future support for Vietnam’s tourism development. Also present at the meeting were Mr. Ha Van Sieu, Vice Chairman of VNAT, along with leaders from VNAT’s departments.

VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh meeting up with Interim Chief Representative of Mastercard Vietnam Sharad Jain (Photo: TITC)

Mr. Sharad Jain expressed his gratitude to VNAT’s leaders for their warm reception and shared Mastercard’s positive assessment of Vietnam’s post-pandemic tourism recovery. According to Mastercard’s data, Vietnam ranks among the top-performing countries in Southeast Asia in terms of tourism rebound. Key source markets of Vietnam such as South Korea, China, India, and Australia are showing strong growth. Major destinations like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Ha Long, Phu Quoc, and Nha Trang are highly favored by international tourists with high spending.

Mr. Jain highlighted Mastercard’s potential role in supporting VNAT through data-driven market research. By analyzing the characteristics, preferences, and spending behaviors of tourists, across categories such as accommodation, transportation, shopping, entertainment, and dining, Vietnam can better understand international visitor trends. These insights would be valuable for strategic planning, improving visitor experience, and tailoring promotional efforts to attract more tourists.

Interim Chief Representative of Mastercard Vietnam Sharad Jain speaking at the meeting (Photo: TITC)

Mastercard representative presenting the potential and strengths of Mastercard (Photo: TITC)

Welcoming the Mastercard delegation, Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh acknowledged Mastercard’s global influence and its capacity to significantly enhance Vietnam’s tourism marketing strategy. He emphasized the importance of equipping international travelers with accurate and appealing information about Vietnam to inspire them to choose it as a destination.

VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh speaking at the meeting (Photo: TITC)

Chairman Khanh underscored that one of the tourism sector’s key missions is to promote the cultural and tourism values of Vietnam on the global stage. He remarked, “International tourists are, in fact, the most effective ambassadors for tourism.” He also noted that, in addition to popular destinations like Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, and Da Nang, foreign visitors are showing increasing interest in discovering lesser-known, emerging destinations throughout Vietnam.

During the meeting, Mastercard’s representative presented the corporation’s strengths in finance, technology, and marketing, as well as its ability to connect with a wide network of global partners. She reaffirmed Mastercard’s readiness to collaborate with VNAT to carry out initiatives aimed at attracting more international tourists, enhancing visitor experiences, and supporting the broader goals of Vietnam’s tourism development.

Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh welcomed Mastercard’s proposals, describing them as well-aligned with the needs of Vietnam’s tourism industry. The proposed areas of cooperation include in-depth market research, supporting tourism roadshows both domestically and internationally, organizing tourism development seminars, expanding digital media outreach, and leveraging technology to enhance the tourist experience.

He concluded the meeting by stating, “Mastercard is a globally renowned corporation offering advanced solutions in finance, technology, marketing, and communications. Meanwhile, Vietnam is emerging as a standout destination attracting growing international attention. The cooperation between VNAT and Mastercard will mark a significant milestone in the development of Vietnam’s tourism industry.”

Overview of the meeting (Photo: TITC)

Leaders of both sides taking souvenir photo (Photo: TITC)

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