The handbook is designed as a practical guide for national, provincial, and local tourism stakeholders. It equips destination management entities with essential tools, strategies, and case studies to enhance governance, stakeholder coordination, sustainability, and competitiveness in tourism. With Vietnam aiming to welcome 18 million international visitors by 2025 and 35 million by 2030, the handbook serves as a timely intervention to help reach these targets in a sustainable and inclusive manner.

The handbook, grounded in global frameworks and best practices, reflects the growing importance of destination management in development cooperation, as highlighted in Benchmark Services' previous work on tourism governance and destination management in developing and emerging countries. It underscores the message that a destination’s success depends not only on its attractions, but also on integrated planning, coordination, and sustainability.

“Destinations are more than places; they are managed experiences. This handbook gives tourism stakeholders in Vietnam the tools to turn fragmented offerings into professionally managed, competitive, and sustainable destinations,” says Kai Partale.

The publication also responds to Vietnam’s key tourism challenges, including overtourism, underdeveloped regions, and digital disparities. It provides guidance from stakeholder mapping and product development to visitor flow management and destination branding. Grounded in the realities of Vietnam’s diverse tourism landscape, it also features case studies of good practice.

By supporting the implementation of Vietnam’s Master Plan on Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas (2021-2030), the handbook reinforces inclusive tourism growth and local benefit-sharing.

The Destination Management Handbook is available through ADB Vietnam.