HCM City launches 2025 summer tourism stimulus campaign
Running from July to August, “Find your flavour” aims to become a key offering of this summer by integrating activities such as food passports, interactive games, videos, and all-in-one culinary city tours in partnership with local travel agencies and restaurants.
International visitors explore downtown Ho Chi Minh City aboard a double-decker bus. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Tourism officially launched its 2025 summer tourism stimulus programme on July 1, unveiling a series of cultural and culinary experiences aimed at reinforcing the city’s image as a vibrant, welcoming and diverse destination.
Key highlights include the “Find your flavour” food tour series and “The essence shines”, a multi-sensory art performance.
🌃 Running from July to August, “Find your flavour” aims to become a key offering of this summer by integrating activities such as food passports, interactive games, videos, and all-in-one culinary city tours in partnership with local travel agencies and restaurants.
A cruise boat takes tourists on a sightseeing trip along the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)
Meanwhile, “The essence shines”, developed by the municipal Department of Culture and Sports, uses cutting-edge video art, light, sound, and spatial motion to depict iconic literary and artistic works from the city’s last five decades. The programme also features creative side events including comic creation contests, digital art exhibitions on HCM City history, children’s painting sessions and weekend art playgrounds.
According to the Department of Tourism, the initiative serves as both an artistic showcase and a creative learning space, inspiring cultural engagement - especially among the youth. Blending traditional art with modern technology, it highlights HCM City as a creative hub where culture is shared in a fresh, friendly way.
Recently, the digital travel platform Agoda ranked HCM City as the top destination for short getaways in Vietnam. Dubbed the "city that never sleeps", it offers a dynamic mix of street food and nightlife, catering to the growing preference among Vietnamese travellers for quick, energy-recharging trips.
Vu Ngoc Lam, Director of Agoda in Vietnam, noted that short trips are making it easier to explore cultural centres and lesser-known destinations, with Vietnam’s diverse landscapes and intercity connectivity offering plenty of opportunities for both short and extended journeys./.
HCM City attracted nearly 1.64 million foreign visitors in the first three months of this year, up 18.2% from the same period in 2024, the city’s Department of Tourism said.
During the period, the southern economic hub also welcomed over 8.57 million domestic tourists, marking a year-on-year increase of 6.3%.
🎃 Total tourism revenue rose 26.7% year-on-year to 56.66 trillion VND ( 2.21 billion USD), achieving 21.8% of the 2025 plan./.
Party General Secretary To Lam underlined that the merger is not a mere administrative combination but a convergence of intellect and shared development aspirations.
Today, Ho Chi Minh City contributes over 20% of the national GDP. It proposes and implements groundbreaking institutional reforms, from renovating administrative procedures and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to piloting special mechanisms.
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.
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Fostering linkage among regional localities and restructuring the tourism sector towards professionalism are among measures to boost the “smokeless industry” of the Mekong Delta.
