HCM City tourism sees outstanding achievements in 2023
Ho Chi Minh City continues to be the leading locality in the country in terms of the number of visitors and revenue from tourism, with nearly 5 million foreign and nearly 35 million domestic tourists, and a total revenue of over 160 trillion VND (6.6 billion USD), the municipal Tourism Department announced on December 28.
Headquarters of the municipal People's Committee and People's Council will be open to visitors on December 30-31 (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) - Ho Chi Minh City continues to be the leadinglocality in the country in terms of the number of visitors and revenue fromtourism, with nearly 5 million foreign and nearly 35 million domestic tourists,and a total revenue of over 160 trillion VND (6.6 billion USD), the municipalTourism Department announced on December 28.
The department’s Deputy Director Le TruongHien Hoa attributed the results to the efficiency of the city’s policy to solvedifficulties and boost tourism recovery and development.
Notably, the city won “Asia's LeadingBusiness Travel Destination” and “Asia's Leading Festival & EventDestination” awards at the 2023 World Travel Awards.
In the year, the city has announced nearly50 tourism projects, with 20 new ones for medium- and high-class segments.
The highlight of the year is the first Ho ChiMinh City River Festival. The three-day event contributed to preserving andpromoting the city’s culture and history, and making use of its waterways toboost the economy and tourism, in order to build its brand as a culturally richriverside urban area.
Ho Chi Minh City to put into operation double-decker water buses to serve tourists on New Year holiday (Photo: VNA)
The city's tourism industry has proactivelyboosted digital transformation and participated in the fourth IndustrialRevolution, with a goal of forming a smart tourism ecosystem that connects tourists,service providers and state management agencies. Notably, the city held atourism digital transformation day with 13 localities in the Mekong Deltaregion.
In addition, the sector has proactivelyimplemented 13 tourism promotion programmes in Germany, Australia, Portugal,Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, the US, Singapore, Mexico, Argentina, Japan, SouthAfrica and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Hoa shared that the city will carry out alot of activities on the occasion of the New Year and Lunar New Year (Tet)holidays to serve local people and visitors.
Notably, the headquarters of the municipalPeople's Committee and People's Council will be open to visitors on December 30- 31, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:40 p.m.
Countdown programmes and firework displayswill be organised in various places, together with a Vietnamese Tet festivalfrom January 18-21, 2024, and Nguyen Hue flower street.
On the New Year holidays, the city also plansto organise a marathon race, a martial arts festival, and a bicycle racingtournament./.
The annual “Xuan Que Huong” (Homeland Spring), the biggest external and cultural event for overseas Vietnamese (OVs) on the occasion of the Lunar New Year, will be organised in Ho Chi Minh City on February 1-2, 2024 (the 22nd and 23rd days of the 12th Lunar month), according to the State Commission for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs.
Transportation authorities and service providers in Ho Chi Minh City are gearing up to accommodate the anticipated rise in passenger demand during the upcoming New Year holiday.
Ho Chi Minh City and eight provinces in the expanded northwestern region hosted 69.2 million visitors in 2023, accounting for 105% of the set target and up nearly 28% year-on-year, heard a conference held in Lao Cai province on December 25 to review their tourism cooperation programme.
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.
Fostering linkage among regional localities and restructuring the tourism sector towards professionalism are among measures to boost the “smokeless industry” of the Mekong Delta.
Headquarters of the municipal People's Committee and People's Council will be open to visitors on December 30-31 (Photo: VNA) 
Ho Chi Minh City to put into operation double-decker water buses to serve tourists on New Year holiday (Photo: VNA) 
