Hanoi tourism sector is reaching out to the UK and European markets.
During their working visit to the United Kingdom , the Hanoi delegation carried out practical activities in London, focusing on three pillars: promoting Hanoi tourism at the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026; fostering cooperation in education and training with the British Council and several universities; and connecting the Vietnamese Intellectuals Association in the UK and Ireland (VIS) to mobilize intellectual resources for the development of Hanoi. The delegation’s activities demonstrate Hanoi’s consistent policy of proactively integrating into the international community, effectively leveraging the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the UK, officially established in October 2025. Simultaneously, they aim to mobilize intellectual resources, investment, and international markets for the rapid and sustainable development of the capital city.
At the WTM London 2026 World Travel Fair – one of the world’s leading international tourism forums – on the morning of November 3rd, Hanoi held the opening ceremony of the Hanoi Tourism Space within the Vietnam tourism pavilion. This is a practical promotional activity aimed at introducing the image, products, and unique experiences of the capital city to tourism partners, travel agencies, transportation companies, accommodation establishments, and event organizers from the United Kingdom, Europe, and the global tourism network.
This year’s program was attended by Mr. Nguyen Van Phong, Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi City Party Committee – Head of the working group; Ms. Bui Huyen Mai, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hanoi City; Mr. Dao Quyen Truong, Deputy Ambassador of Vietnam to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland; leaders of city departments and agencies, Vietnamese representative offices in the United Kingdom, tourism promotion organizations, associations and domestic and international tourism businesses, and especially Mr. Jonathan Heastie – Global Portfolio Director of WTM.
At the opening ceremony, Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong emphasized that Hanoi, with over 1000 years of history, not only boasts famous heritage sites such as Thang Long Imperial Citadel – a World Cultural Heritage site, the Temple of Literature – National University, the Old Quarter, and traditional craft villages, but also possesses an ecosystem of cuisine, art, creative spaces, and contemporary events that are held annually. Hanoi positions itself as a tourism destination based on culture, heritage, cuisine, traditional crafts, and creativity, aiming for professional, high-quality, sustainable tourism development with high competitiveness in the international market.
From the beginning of the year until now, Hanoi has welcomed 30.36 million visitors, including 7.57 million international tourists. Total revenue from tourism is estimated at VND 125.24 trillion, an increase of 13% compared to the same period in 2025. Through the Hanoi Tourism Space, Hanoi hopes to encourage businesses from both sides to develop tourism programs that suit the needs of international tourists; connect Hanoi with other destinations in Vietnam; extend the length of stay, increase spending, and enhance the value of the tourist experience. This is also a direct connection channel between Hanoi tourism businesses and international partners at WTM London, creating a basis for researching joint tourism promotion programs, products, and attracting tourists from the United Kingdom and Europe to Hanoi in the future.
The opening ceremony featured a variety of activities, including performances of traditional musical instruments; a ribbon-cutting ceremony; a signing ceremony for cooperation agreements between Hanoi and international tourism associations and businesses; and the introduction of a tourism promotion space and networking opportunities. These activities contributed to showcasing Hanoi not only as a destination for famous heritage sites but also as a hub of cultural life, art, cuisine, and unique experiences.
Hanoi – British Council educational cooperation is becoming more substantive.
During a meeting with the British Council, chaired by Mr. James Shipton, Country Director of the British Council in Vietnam, the Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi City Party Committee, Nguyen Van Phong, highly appreciated the results of educational cooperation between the two sides in the areas of teacher training, English teaching and learning, foreign language proficiency testing and assessment, learning material development, professional exchange, and educational exchange.
From 2023 to July 2026, the British Council Vietnam organized 3,930 IELTS exams, issuing 125,402 certificates; and 1,384 Aptis ESOL exams, issuing 114,613 certificates. These figures reflect the great need for standardized foreign language proficiency among learners, teachers, and education administrators in Hanoi.
Regarding educational models, 24 high schools in Hanoi have implemented an integrated education program using curricula and learning materials from the United Kingdom. In addition, two schools with foreign investment operate according to the British education model, with approximately 1,900 students and 186 teachers, including 149 foreign teachers. These models contribute to diversifying learning opportunities, accessing modern educational methods, and improving the quality of education for students in the capital city.
Based on that, the Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi City Party Committee suggested that the British Council continue to expand cooperation in the field of education, develop training programs for administrators and teachers, prioritizing governance and leadership in educational institutions; innovate teaching and assessment methods; digital transformation and application of artificial intelligence in education; teaching that develops learners’ qualities and competencies; inclusive education; standardizing foreign language proficiency and continuous professional development.
The city also requested the British Council’s support in enhancing the capacity of testing organizations, developing assessment tools, and using assessment results to substantially improve the quality of foreign language teaching and learning. Simultaneously, it sought to connect experts, training institutions, research institutes, and reputable educational organizations in the UK to collaborate on proposing educational policies, researching the possibility of providing expert support, scholarships, or co-funding for training programs, and connecting schools…
Regarding future direction, Hanoi and the British Council agreed to build a regular coordination mechanism between the Hanoi Department of Education and Training and the British Council, identifying priority areas, program scale, target beneficiaries, and implementation methods; based on this, specific cooperation outlines for the 2027-2030 period will be developed.
In the cultural sector, with over 90 years of experience, Hanoi City proposes that the British Council focus on training professionals in the cultural and creative industries. Simultaneously, it requests the British Council to act as a bridge to expand the organization of international-scale cultural and artistic activities in Hanoi, using Hanoi as a creative space for international artists, and to continue supporting the organization of the annual creative design festival in Hanoi. The implementation of programs and cooperation agreements will be urgently studied based on the completion and renewal of the legal framework governing the British Council’s activities in Vietnam, possibly in 2027, the year marking the 35th anniversary of the British Council’s presence in Vietnam.
Mobilizing Vietnamese intellectual resources in the UK to address 30 major challenges facing the capital city.
At the meeting and dialogue with the Vietnamese Intellectuals Association in the United Kingdom and Ireland (VIS), Mr. Nguyen Van Phong expressed his delight and pride that Vietnamese intellectuals are present at most major universities and research institutes in the United Kingdom; he welcomed the Vietnamese Embassy’s establishment of a database of over 200 scientists and intellectuals currently living and working in the UK; and highly appreciated the Association’s role in connecting the Vietnamese intellectual, scientific, educational, technological, and business communities in the UK; promoting the image of Vietnam and its people; and acting as a bridge between Vietnamese experts in the UK and domestic agencies, universities, research institutes, and businesses.
Hanoi recognizes the Vietnamese intellectual community in the United Kingdom as a crucial resource, possessing deep expertise and experience in the fields of education, information technology, artificial intelligence, finance, urban planning, environment, energy, quantum computing, and social sciences. These are all areas that can directly contribute to the development of the capital city.
At the seminar, the Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi City Party Committee expressed his hope that the Association and participating experts would provide advice and feedback on Hanoi’s development plans, programs, and projects, especially in addressing the capital’s 30 major challenges in the areas of smart urban development, improving the quality of education, developing a knowledge-based economy, improving the living environment, and enhancing governance capacity.
At the seminar, representatives from the Hanoi Department of Finance introduced the capital’s investment and development promotion policies and the system of specific mechanisms and policies to attract investment and utilize talent, as stipulated in the Capital City Law and resolutions of the City People’s Council. These aim to create conditions for Vietnamese intellectuals, experts, and businesses in the UK to access opportunities for cooperation, research, entrepreneurship, and investment in Hanoi.
During the meeting, intellectuals currently working in the United Kingdom expressed their appreciation for the delegation’s sentiments and their willingness to contribute their expertise to the development of the capital and the country. Discussions revolved around contributing to the gradual resolution of Hanoi’s 30 key challenges in healthcare, education, culture, etc., with the goal of putting people at the center. They also expressed a desire to maintain communication channels, especially through the Embassy, to establish regular exchanges.
Concluding the seminar, the Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi City Party Committee instructed relevant departments and agencies to promptly consider and study the opinions and proposals of the Association and experts; review the contents that can be implemented immediately in the short term, prioritizing those related to the list of 30 major problems. The Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee requested that the departments establish a point of contact with the Association for regular exchange, summarize cooperation needs, and report to the city on proposals requiring consideration and decision. At the same time, they should create the most favorable conditions in terms of information, procedures, and partner connections for Vietnamese experts and intellectuals in the UK when participating in consulting, training, research, or project implementation in Hanoi.
Promoting the bridging role of the Vietnamese Embassy in the United Kingdom.
The delegation from Hanoi also visited and worked with the Vietnamese Embassy in the United Kingdom. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, Mr. Do Manh Hung, presided over the reception of the delegation.
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong thanked the Vietnamese Embassy in the United Kingdom for its support to the delegation and affirmed that, with the goal of becoming a global city, Hanoi wishes to continue expanding substantive foreign relations with capitals and major cities around the world.
The Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee informed that the city is focusing on promoting infrastructure investment in high-tech industrial parks, including the Hoa Lac High-Tech Park. Hanoi hopes to attract financial corporations, technology companies, and businesses from the United Kingdom and Ireland to invest in priority areas, especially green finance. With its position as one of the largest global financial centers, London is identified as an important partner that Hanoi aims to connect with in terms of capital, financial institutions, and experience in developing an international financial center.
Regarding education, especially higher education, Hanoi hopes to find leading educational partners from the United Kingdom to open branches, campuses, or collaborate on training programs in the capital. Hanoi highly values the effective cooperation with the British Council, particularly in supporting English teacher training and organizing international examinations. In the context of Vietnam’s policy of making English a second language, Hanoi desires long-term cooperation with the British Council on English teacher training, ensuring the quality of programs and teaching staff.
Regarding culture and tourism, Hanoi city hopes to continue cooperating with the Embassy and British partners to promote cultural diplomacy, organize exchange events, and promote the image of the capital city.
At the end of the meeting, both sides agreed to continue maintaining a regular channel of information exchange. The Vietnamese Embassy in the United Kingdom will support Hanoi in connecting with the London Metropolitan Government, the London Financial Centre, educational institutions, businesses, investment funds, and the Vietnamese intellectual community in the UK.
The Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee affirmed that, with the support of the Vietnamese Embassy in the United Kingdom, the British Council, the Vietnamese Intellectuals Association in the United Kingdom, businesses and international partners, the cooperative relationship between Hanoi and the United Kingdom will continue to expand in a deeper, more effective and sustainable direction, contributing to the development of the capital city and strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the United Kingdom.
