HCM City’s tourism firms need Gov’t relief to survive
The government’s relief and credit packages are now vital to help Ho Chi Minh City’s travel companies survive the coronavirus crisis, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Tourism Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa has said.
Foreign tourists in Ho Chi Minh City (Source: cafebiz.vn)
HCM City (VNA) - The government’s relief and credit packages are nowvital to help Ho Chi Minh City’s travel companies survive the coronaviruscrisis, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Tourism Nguyen Thi AnhHoa has said.
Thedomestic tourism sector, which had only recently started to recover, hassuffered another setback with the return of coronavirus, Hoa said.
Around70 percent of travel firms resumed operations in May thinking the COVID-19pandemic was under control, she said.
Thedomestic travel market had started to recover with a city tourism stimulusprogramme that runs from June until the end of the year.
Butthen more than 35,000 bookings for tour packages, free and easy tours,hotels, air tickets, and travel services were cancelled due to COVID-19concerns, resulting in a loss of revenues of 21 billion VND (906,000 USD),according to a report by the department.
Nearly90 percent of travel agencies in the city have temporarily shut doors with most of their staff being told to goon unpaid leave, according to the report.
Around90 percent of staff at three- to five-star hotels have been told to take unpaidleave or laid off. At others hotels, the rate is more than 80 percent.
Hoasaid the current economic uncertainty makes the Government’s reliefpackages imperative for travel companies to survive.
Butmost find it extremely difficult to borrow under the programmes from banks orbenefit from tax breaks, she admitted.
Lessthan 10 tour guides in the city have managed to get financial support from theGovernment’s social security package of 62 trillion VND (2.66 billion USD) forpeople directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, she said.
Thereare 5,864 licensed tour guides in the city, including 3,544 who speak foreignlanguages./.
The HCM City Department of Tourism has estimated that the city’s tourism industry suffered losses worth close to 10 trillion VND (426.2 million USD) in the first quarter of this year due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many popular tourist attractions across Vietnam have seen a gradual increase in domestic tourists on being re-opened after nearly two months hibernating due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tourism authorities in the Mekong Delta are stepping up efforts to attract domestic visitors, with a focus on regaining trust so that they feel safe about going to tourist destinations and lodgings there.
Ho Chi Minh City is carry out a range of promotion programmes aiming to increase the number of tourists to the city which saw a 54.7-percent drop in the first half of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 16th edition of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival is set to take place from July 16 to 19, the municipal Department of Tourism and the HCM City Tourism Association announced on July 8.
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.
Foreign tourists in Ho Chi Minh City (Source: cafebiz.vn) 
