Digital transformation has been playing an important role in driving tourism industry amid the COVID-19 crisis. Therefore, Da Nang is now striving to boost digital transformation in tourism in a bid to promote its tourism information and products to tourists in the context of the complicated developments of the pandemic.

The signing ceremony of MoU on digital transformation cooperation between the Da Nang Tourism Promotion Center and the Da Nang branch of the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group. Photo: THU HA

Most recently, the Da Nang Tourism Promotion Center and the Da Nang branch of the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group, have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on digital transformation cooperation.

In particular, in the first phase, the two parties will together develop e-commerce platform for tourism and digital payment, organise virtual exhibitions and travel fairs, and issue smart travel cards.

Currently, Viettel Group is making a pilot plan for smart travel cards in Da Nang. Accordingly, people can implement cashless payment transactions for their travel services through the cards in order to reduce the spreading of coronavirus.

The smart card will help to deploy a tourism social network linking tourists and tourism service providers in the city, hereby creating a digital environment to help businesses reach closer to tourists. Moreover, the card will integrate with visitor database, tourist destination database and tourist map.

According to Viettel Group’s representative, smart travel cards can be developed in two forms: a plastic card or electronic card. With plastic cards, visitors can find it easy to carry them by their sides. Meanwhile, an e-card, served as a mobile app, will be installed on visitors’ smartphones.

Previously, the Da Nang People's Committee and the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group, have entered a MoU on building Da Nang into a smart city in the 2021-2025 period.

The MoU focuses on five main contents, namely digital infrastructure, data and digital platforms, digital government, digital economy, digital society.

Accordingly, the two sides has committed to joining forces in mobilising resources and strengthening cooperation and mutual support so as to promote the research and application of IT and digital technology in the management and administration of socio-economic development, the provision of public services and the development of the digital economy and digital society towards building Da Nang into a smart city.

Major General Le Dang Dung, the Chairman and General Director of the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group highlighted the importance of the building of digital platform data and digital infrastructure at grass roots level in Da Nang in perfecting the city’s information systems, shared databases and smart applications and services, thereby significantly contributing to improving the operational efficiency of the Da Nang urban government.

“In various fields, especially tourism, Viettel will actively develop a digital ecosystem with smart travel cards, travel trading floors and virtual travel exhibitions. Along with that is the goal of developing a digital payment infrastructure to promote the deployment of non-cash payments, thereby forming a digital environment that allows transactions between tourism service providers and tourists. From that, the quality of tourism services will be enhanced, hereby promoting the development of smart tourism in Da Nang” emphasised Major General Dung.

Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Tourism Tan Van Vuong said that the digital transformation, or in other words, promoting the application of digital technology in tourism development is one of the vital factors, forcing the destination government and the business of tourism services to focus on implementation.

He added, in the time to come, his department will focus on perfecting the tourism database and building an online shared travel services portal.

Reporting by NHAT HA - Translating by M.DUNG