Singapore, Vietnam join hands to boost MICE tourism
MICE tourism holds big potential for cooperation between Vietnamese and Singaporean travel agencies, as heard at a roadshow event in Singapore on December 9.
Scene at the Vietnam tourism roadshow in Singapore (Photo: VNA)
Singapore (VNA) – Tourism packages combining meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) hold bigpotential for cooperation between Vietnamese and Singaporean travel agencies,as heard at a roadshow event in Singapore on December 9.
Organised by the VietnamNational Administration of Tourism (VNAT), the event gathered 100 travelcompanies from both countries.
The roadshow featuredinformation on Vietnam’s tourism infrastructure, products and support policies,particularly those related to the development of MICE, sport and cruise tours. Atthe event, VNAT representatives cleared up questions asked by Singaporean touroperators.
Ha Van Sieu, deputy headof the VNAT, said target tourists of Vietnam are not only Singaporeans but alsocitizens of other countries visiting and living in Singapore, which he called acosmopolitan island.
Operating MICE tours is thestrength of Singapore, which will be enhanced further through cooperation withVietnam, Sieu noted.
Pham Tien Dung, head ofthe Golden Tour from Vietnam, said Singaporean visitors require professionalservices, and many local companies are interest in cultural–rich destinationsin northern Vietnam.
Singapore is the last stopof the VNAT roadshow that has also travelled through Indonesia and Malaysia sinceDecember 5.
In 2015, Vietnam welcomedover 500,000 tourists from the three ASEAN countries. Malaysia took the leadwith 230,000 arrivals of the total.
In the first ten months of2016, the number of Singaporeans travelling to Vietnam jumped 8.5 percentcompared to the same period last year.-VNA
Vietravel, a big travel company in Vietnam, and the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Gyeonggi province are cooperating to attract MICE tourists from Vietnam to the Northeast Asian nation.
Ho Chi Minh City will become a new destination for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) tourism in Southeast Asia thanks to its dynamic development.
Hanoi welcomed 3.2 million international tourist arrivals in the first ten months of 2016, up 23 percent year-on-year and close to the figure recorded in 2015 (3.36 million).
A tourism promotion event was held in Kuala Lumpur on December 7 by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) in collaboration with Vietnam’s Embassy in Malaysia.
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.
Scene at the Vietnam tourism roadshow in Singapore (Photo: VNA) 
