The efforts of travel firms and HCM City’s authorities have helped the local tourism sector maintain its growth trend despite declines in the number of tourist arrivals to Vietnam this year.
Tourists visit Ho Chi Minh City on pedicab (Image: Vietnamplus)
The efforts of travel firms and HCM City’s authorities have helped the local tourism sector maintain its growth trend despite declines in the number of tourist arrivals to Vietnam this year.
Local travel agencies have recently launched a wide range of new services that meet tourists’ tastes and win their favour, including a city tour by bike and another tour discovering Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe canal.
The city organised and planned to hold a number of promotion activities this year, including an Ao Dai (traditional long dress) festival in March, a southern food festival in May, a southern fruits festival in June, an international travel expo in September and an international delicious dishes festival in December.
In addition, promotion activities were also organised in Australia , Japan , the Republic of Korea , Russia , Eastern Europe and Indonesia .
HCM City is improving and standardising tourism service quality via a programme to select the city’s 100 interesting things, which aims to discover quality cultural values, cuisine and tourism services to be introduced to tourists.
Many tourism publications such as an English-language book on the city’s tourism and a city map. Besides, the website of the HCM City Department of Tourism and the call centre 1087 were established to help tourists explore the city.
Historic sites, old architecture, museums, festivals, traditional culture and flower villages are being renovated to ensure the city’s sustainable tourism growth. HCM City is also cooperating with eight provinces in the north to develop tourism.
HCM City boasts 144 natural and cultural heritages and tourist sites, and plays an important role in the country’s tourism development. It is now the largest tourism hub of the country, attracting 70 percent of the total tourist arrivals.
In 2014, the city welcomed 22 million tourists, including 4.4 million foreigners, earning more than 86 trillion VND (3.9 billion USD) in revenue.
In the first eight months of 2015, 2.83 million foreigners visited the city, a year-on-year increase of 5 percent. It earned over 60.7 trillion VND (2.76 billion USD) from tourism activities during the period, up 4 percent year-on-year.
♉ The predicted figures for the whole year are 4.7 million and 94.6 trillion VND (4.21 billion USD). Most tourists visiting the city come from the United States, Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, Australia, France and Singapore.-VNA
The Department of Tourism together with the Department of Transport of Ho Chi Minh City and the Saigon Boat JSC launched a boat tour on the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe canal in the city on September 1.
A crowd of youth from travel agencies joined tourist support forces in Ho Chi Minh City at a ceremony in response to an action movement to build a friendly tourism environment in the city.
Ho Chi Minh City, the largest economic hub in the south, has great potential to become the leading destination of Meeting Incentive Conference Event (MICE) tourism in Southeast Asia, experts said.
Nearly 100 businesses, travel agencies and hotels joined a promotional programme in the central city of Da Nang from this month through next March, offering a 10-60 percent discount for their service.
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.
Tourists visit Ho Chi Minh City on pedicab (Image: Vietnamplus)
