HCM City’s Department of Tourism will focus on developing and marketing destinations to increase the number of foreign arrivals to the city to six million this year, officials have said.
Unique sights: Foreign tourists visit Thien Hau Temple in HCM City’s District 5 (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) - HCMCity’s Department of Tourism will focus on developing and marketingdestinations to increase the number of foreign arrivals to the city to sixmillion this year, officials have said.
The city would add to its cultural and tourism events,attractions, and unique experiences to attract visitors, Bui Ta Hoang Vu,director of the department, said.
New products the department plans to launch this year includeriver tourism, cuisine tourism, rural tourism and leisure tourism products aswell as light art and street art festivals, he told a meeting last week.
As the country’s economic and financial hub, the city hasidentified various opportunities for developing tourism, he said.
But tourism promotion spending per visitor to the city is a mere 0.3USD compared to the global average of 5 USD, he said.
He called on the city authority to hike the tourism promotionbudget to grow the sector.
The budget should focus on some of the key segments the city hashuge opportunities to develop such as meetings, incentives, conferences andexhibitions (MICE) tourism, dental tourism and river tourism, he added.
Tran Vinh Tuyen, deputy chairman of the city People’s Committee,said the target of six million foreign arrivals to the city is achievable.
But to fulfill the target, the department cannot act alone andhopes to establish strong partnerships with industries, district authoritiesand tourism-related businesses, he said.
Only with such combined efforts can the opportunities to developthe tourism sector be grasped, he said.
He said river tourism is a priority area of focus for the tourismsector.
He also proposed developing Binh Dien, Thu Duc and Hoc Mon retailmarkets as new tourist destinations.
Every district should promote its typical tourism attractions likeDistrict 5 does with its traditional medicine street and District 1 with itswalking street, he said
The number of visitors to the city this year has topped 500,000,an increase of more than 70,000 compared to the same period last year, headded.-VNA
The HCM City Tourism Association kicked off the 2017 domestic tourism promotion programme with discounts of up to 70 percent on package tours on December 20.
The HCM City Tourism Association has sought the continuation of an existing visa waiver for citizens of five Western European countries and the addition of India and Australia to the list.
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.
Unique sights: Foreign tourists visit Thien Hau Temple in HCM City’s District 5 (Photo: VNA) 
