Vietnam tourism faces workforce shortages amid rapid growth

Vietnam's tourism and hospitality sectors are experiencing a period of rapid growth and recovery, yet they face significant structural challenges. In the first half of 2026, Vietnam welcomed approximately 12.3 million international visitors, a 14.9% increase compared to the previous year, with total tourism revenue reaching approximately 569 trillion VND.

Da Nang has emerged as a primary driver of this trend, hosting nearly 9.8 million guests in the first six months of 2026. International arrivals in the city rose by 28.7% year-on-year, accounting for over 52% of total stays. However, this surge has created an urgent human resource bottleneck, as the demand for skilled labor in hotels and resorts outpaces current supply.

Simultaneously, the resort real estate sector—a critical intersection of tourism, finance, and infrastructure—is being positioned as a key engine for Vietnam's goal of double-digit economic growth between 2026 and 2030. While the sector has historically driven regional development in areas like Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, and Phu Quoc, it currently faces difficulties due to a lack of synchronized legal frameworks across land, housing, and tourism laws.