Marriott to open 20 new hotels, resorts as Vietnam tourism rebounds

Marriott International Inc. plans to open 20 new luxury hotels and resorts in Vietnam’s top tourist destinations like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Phu Quoc Island as the nation’s tourism industry recovers.

Anthony Capuano, president and CEO of the U.S. hotel operator, revealed the plans during a Wednesday meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

He said Vietnam has many advantages and potential in tourism development thanks to its natural conditions, geographical location and unique culture. More and more tourists want to return to Vietnam, he said.

Chinh said Vietnam prioritizes sustainable tourism development, considering it as an important economic pillar, and the government continuously creates favorable conditions for foreign investors to expand their business in the country.

The PM suggested the hotel operator giant carries out large-scale projects suitable to Vietnamese conditions.

Marriott International currently operates 16 hotels and resorts in Vietnam.

Founded in 1927, the world’s largest hotel chain has 8,000 properties with nearly 1.5 million rooms in 139 countries and territories.

Last April, it signed management agreements with Vinpearl, Vietnam’s largest hospitality and leisure chain under Vingroup, for an additional seven hotels and resorts, comprising more than 2,500 rooms.

Vietnam’s tourism industry has been witnessing strong rebound. The country welcomed 8.9 million foreign tourists in January-September, surpassing the year target of 8 million. With the tourism industry already exceeding this year’s target, insiders expected Vietnam could welcome 12 million international tourists by year-end.

Starting August 15, Vietnam extended visa-free entry from 15 days to 45 days for passport holders from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. It has also extended the duration of e-visas from 30 days to three months with multiple entries. Citizens of another 80 countries, including major economies such as India, Australia and the U.S. are currently eligible to enter the country using an e-visa.

The U.S. is one of Vietnam’s 10 biggest feeder tourism markets. So far this year, Vietnam welcomed 548,000 American tourists, nearly recovering to pre-pandemic levels.

Hanoi and HCMC are Vietnam’s biggest metropolises while Da Nang and Phu Quoc are famous for their long, sandy beaches and high-end tourism services. Phu Quoc Island this month ranked third in The Travel magazine's list of 17 most budget-friendly tourist islands worldwide, while the island was honored by American travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler as one of the best to visit this year.