Phu Quoc, Viet Nam, April–July 2026 –Following the Regional Training on AI-enabled Digital Transformation for Cities and Institutions in the Lancang–Mekong Region, the Viet Nam team successfully implemented its national Action Plan, “AI-Enabled Digital Transformation for Smart Tourism, Local Innovation and Green Transition in Phu Quoc.” The initiative brought together 40 participants representing 8 stakeholder groups from 12 organizations, demonstrating a strong multi-sector commitment to accelerating smart tourism, digital innovation, and sustainable development in Phu Quoc. The initiative was supported by the Mekong Institute (MI) in collaboration with the People’s Committee of Phu Quoc Special Zone and local partners.
The Action Plan translated regional learning into practical local implementation by promoting AI-enabled digital transformation, sustainable tourism, and green transition in one of Viet Nam’s fastest-growing tourism destinations. Designed in preparation for APEC 2027, the initiative aimed to strengthen multi-stakeholder collaboration while introducing practical approaches to digital governance, smart tourism, and sustainable destination management.
The implementation consisted of a full-day onsite multi-stakeholder workshop held at the Office of the People’s Council and People’s Committee of Phu Quoc. The workshop introduced participants to AI-enabled digital transformation frameworks, smart city concepts, and international best practices through practical case studies from Hangzhou, Chiang Mai, Jeju, Singapore, and other destinations. Interactive discussions enabled participants to identify local implementation challenges, strengthen cross-sector collaboration, and explore practical pathways for integrating digital innovation with environmental sustainability and tourism development.
The workshop established Phu Quoc’s first structured multi-stakeholder dialogue on integrated digital and green transformation. Participants collectively identified three key challenges requiring coordinated action: strengthening digital transformation capacity, developing scalable green transition models, and improving collaboration across government, academia, businesses, and communities. The programme also introduced a practical Brand–Operations–Digital–Green framework to guide future destination development and institutional collaboration.
The initiative directly contributed to the objectives of Viet Nam’s Action Plan by strengthening institutional capacity, promoting responsible digital transformation, and fostering partnerships that support sustainable tourism and local innovation. The workshop generated strong institutional commitment, including a formal request from the Vice Chair of Phu Quoc Special Zone for follow-up capacity-building programmes and future pilot initiatives.
The Viet Nam Action Plan demonstrates how regional capacity development can generate tangible local impact. By translating knowledge gained through the Mekong Institute’s regional programme into practical action, the implementing team strengthened collaboration among public, private, academic, and community stakeholders while laying the foundation for smarter, greener, and more resilient tourism development in Phu Quoc and beyond.
The initiative was supported by the Mekong Institute as part of its commitment to advancing AI-enabled digital transformation, sustainable development, and regional cooperation across the Lancang–Mekong countries
