Vietnam Moves to Build a Standardised Wellness Tourism Sector

From Mineral Springs to Mountain Retreats 

Vietnam is taking steps to develop wellness tourism into a higher-value segment, with a recent workshop in Lao Cai focusing on standards, cross-sector cooperation and regional experiences for the country’s draft wellness tourism scheme through 2030.

Organised by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), the September 16 workshop brought together tourism and healthcare representatives and local stakeholders. VNAT Deputy Director General Dr. Ha Van Sieu highlighted Vietnam’s natural and cultural resources, including around 400 mineral springs, thousands of medicinal plant species and traditional ethnic healthcare knowledge, while noting that limited standardisation has constrained their wider use.

Health authorities also stressed the need to clearly distinguish wellness tourism from medical tourism, alongside stronger safety standards, workforce training and data protection.

Lao Cai is being positioned as a potential high-altitude wellness hub, with plans for a Northwest Wellness Tourism Belt linking Sa Pa, Y Ty, Thac Ba and Bac Ha.

As Vietnam expands its wellness sector, established premium experiences, including a luxury train in Vietnam offered by brands such as The Vietage by Anantara, could complement the country’s broader move towards experience-led tourism.