Ho Chi Minh City has strived to tap into its tourism development potential, with the support of digital technology, as the city is Vietnam’s leading tourism hub and an attractive destination.
HCM City (VNA)🌌 – Ho Chi Minh City has strived to tap into its tourism development potential, with the support of digital technology, as the city is Vietnam’s leading tourism hub and an attractive destination for international friends.
The advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) has bolstered development in all fields – including smart tourism based on digital technology application which offers many opportunities to bring more foreign tourists to Vietnam and HCM City in particular.
Nguyen Quoc Ky, Chairman and General Director of Vietravel, said that easy digital technology access and development will create favourable conditions for HCM City’s tourism sector in terms of the dissemination of information, research, and statistics.
According to the municipal Department of Tourism, the application of information technology in tourism is among several breakthrough solutions to improve the competitiveness of Vietnam and HCM City’s tourism.
IT application will be an effective tool for three of the major groups, namely tourism administrators, product and service suppliers, and tourists.
✱ In late 2017, the municipal People’s Committee announced a project to build HCM City into a smart city during the 2017-2020 period, with a vision to 2025.
The project’s four targets include the maintenance of a sustainable economic growth rate towards knowledge economy and digital economy, efficient urban management, improvement of living and working quality, and enhancement of the management of people and organisations.
The project was lauded by tourism experts in HCM City for its pertinent response to the recent Industry 4.0 wave, as well as for helping to foster the city’s competitiveness and charm. Its results are hoped to create many chances for the local tourism sector.
Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Tourism Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa said that 2018 is viewed as the initial stage of the city’s smart tourism development. The tourism sector, therefore, has continued to apply technology and work with travel companies and managing boards of famous destinations to meet the demands and new trends of domestic and foreign travellers.
HCM City has recorded an increasing number of foreign and domestic tourist arrivals over the last 20 years. In particular, the figure rose to nearly 6.4 million in 2017 from only 519,000 in 1993.
In the first eight months of this year, 3.8 million international holidaymakers flocked to the city, while it is expected to welcome 7.5 million visitors by the year’s end.-VNA
The Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival 2018 will get underway at 23/9 Park from April 12-15, offering nearly 60,000 domestic and foreign tour vouchers at 15-16 percent discount.
More than 70,000 domestic and foreign tour vouchers are available at discounts of up to 50 percent at the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Fair which opened at 23/9 Park on April 12.
Cuba plans to increase its number of hotel and guesthouse rooms to 108,000 by 2030, opening up great opportunities for Vietnamese investors operating in the fields of property, restaurant and tourism
Waterway tourism businesses in Ho Chi Minh City still face many difficulties when it comes to attracting more tourists, heard a conference on the city’s waterway tourism development held on July 5.
A recent report, City Pulse 2025, by Gensler Research Institute, ranked HCM City among the world’s top cities for resident retention, placing it second globally. This underscores the city's reputation as a liveable, dynamic urban centre, an image that supports efforts to attract investors, experts, and MICE travellers.
Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh has instructed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) to coordinate with other ministries, agencies and localities to effectively implement policies and directives from the Party, Government, and Prime Minister on tourism development.
Da Nang's appeal stems from its numerous outstanding tourist attractions, particularly My Khe Beach, Sun World Ba Na Hills resort, and the ancient town of Hoi An. Additionally, Da Nang tourism is renowned for its affordability, especially attractive to young travellers and couples, according to Chosun Ilbo.
With new direct flights from major Indian cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru, Vietnam is becoming an increasingly compelling destination for Indian tourists seeking a quick, emotionally rich four-day escape that blends luxury, culture, and natural wonder.
By source market, China continued to lead with 3.1 million visitors, equivalent to 25.5% of all foreign arrivals. The Republic of Korea followed with 2.5 million, or 20.7%. Other major markets included Taiwan (China) with 737,000, the US with 522,000, and Japan with 380,000.
Khanh Hoa has welcomed 16 international cruises so far this year, with more than 19,000 tourists disembarking to explore the province’s scenic landscapes and renowned cultural, religious, and artistic landmarks, as well as to enjoy local cuisine and sightseeing tours.
According to local plans, fireworks shows will be held at multiple locations, with Ha Long Bay as the focal point. More than mere entertainment, these displays are part of a strategic cultural tourism product aimed at strengthening the region’s brand.
Chatbot and virtual assistants support itinerary consultation and tour bookings, and provide around-the-clock response across multiple platforms while AI advertising applications have been used to optimise budgets and target the right customers. AI has been also employed to analyse customer data, enabling the delivery of personalised tour recommendations.
Many Vietnamese regions possess favourable conditions, including natural landscapes, climate, and rich cultural identities, to host sport events that integrate with cultural and tourism experiences.
Dubbed the “land of ancient towers”, Khanh Hoa boasts a rich Cham legacy through architectural masterpieces like the Po Nagar, Hoa Lai, Po Klong Garai, and Po Rome towers.
Vietnam’s e-visa system is now seen as one of the most efficient, convenient, and transparent in the region. Fully online registration, no paperwork or interviews, and fast and flexible processing time have improved foreigners’ entry experience, creating a competitive advantage over countries clinging to complicated and costly visa procedures.
Sunset Town unfolded like a living fairytale. Every street and hidden corner recalls iconic European landmarks – from Venice’s San Marco Bell Tower and Paris’s Arc de Triomphe to Almafi-style squares and cobblestone paths reminiscent of southern Italy.
Its natural advantages have made Mui Ne a magnet for enthusiasts of kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing, and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP). These activities not only diversify the local tourism offerings but also contribute to the area’s long-term development strategy focused on sustainability.
In July alone, the city welcomed 695,930 international arrivals, surging 75.3% year-on-year. For the seven-month period, international visitors totalled 4.5 million, up 48% year-on-year.
Welcoming the crew on the morning of July 30, Dang Dong Ha, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, emphasised that the film offers a valuable opportunity to promote Quang Tri’s tourism potential, particularly to Indian visitors, but also to a broader global audience.
With a proactive and creative approach, Hanoi is positioning itself as one of Southeast Asia’s most compelling destinations where tradition meets innovation, and every visit offers a blend of the familiar and the new.
A corner of Ho Chi Minh City (Source: VNA)
