Thailand and Vietnam Partner Up for Tourism Boost

New MOU to Elevate Tourism in Thailand and Vietnam

Dusit International and Saigontourist Group, one of Vietnam’s biggest multi-service travel companies, have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance tourism development in Thailand and Vietnam through targeted marketing campaigns, improved services, and novel tourism offerings.

Dusit International and Saigontourist Group shall exchange technical know-how, experience, and best practices according to the MOU conditions to improve the calibre and efficacy of tourism services in both nations. The two businesses will also look into potential combined hotel-building projects and market one another’s travel services at travel industry events, festivals, and big gatherings.

Vietnam’s tourism industry continues to rely heavily on Thailand as a source market. Thousands of Thai tourists visit Vietnam annually, drawn by the wide range of hotels, resorts, entertainment centres, and conference centres operated by the Saigontourist Group. Thailand is also a well-liked travel destination for Vietnamese people. Around 15,400 Vietnamese travellers were taken on tours by Saigontourist Travel Service Company in 2023 and the first half of 2024 to visit some of Thailand’s most popular locations, such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, all of which are home to Dusit Hotels & Resorts.

Dusit is a significant player in hospitality education and has a rapidly expanding portfolio of international hotels and resorts. Through its Dusit Thani College, The Food School, and Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary School, top talent is developed for Dusit Hotels and Resorts and the industry. To guarantee that their respective workforces stay at the forefront of industry standards, Dusit International and Saigontourist Group will leverage this to synchronize efforts in education and training for tourism operations.

“We are delighted to partner with Saigontourist Group to strengthen tourism ties between Thailand and Vietnam,” said Mr Gilles Cretallaz, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International. “More than just a business agreement, this strategic alliance is a commitment to fostering mutual growth, cultural exchange, and sustainable development in the tourism sector. Our collaboration will undoubtedly lead to new opportunities and innovations, benefiting both our organisations and the tourism industries of Vietnam and Thailand.”

Mr Truong Duc Hung, General Director of Saigontourist Group, said, “I believe that through close collaboration and leveraging the growth potential of both groups, we will achieve outstanding success in tourism development, thereby contributing to the socio-economic advancement of both Vietnam and Thailand.”

Dusit’s portfolio currently includes 301 properties operating in 18 countries. Of these, Dusit Hotels and Resorts own 57, and 244 are luxury villas leased by Elite Havens, which Dusit purchased in 2018. Elite Havens is the top supplier of luxury villa rentals in Asia. Dusit manages the Dusit Princess Moonrise Beach Resort in Vietnam, and the Dusit Le Palais Tu Hoa in Hanoi is scheduled to open next year.