HCM City People’s Committee recently issues a plan for the development of waterway tourism products in the 2023-2025 period with an aim to attract more tourists (Photo: sggp.org.vn)
HCM City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City led the nationin terms of revenue from tourism in the first half of 2023, with 80.8trillion VND (3.39 billion USD).
The figure represents a year-on-year rise of 62.7%, and isequivalent to 50.5% of the yearly target.
According to the municipal Department of Tourism, in theJanuary-June period, the country's biggest metropolis served over 1.9 million foreign tourists, up 306%year-on-year, but equal to only 38.8% of the yearly target.
The city is organising a wide range of activities, with an aimto attract more tourists, especially foreigners, to increase the revenue.
Foreign tourists take a tour around HCM City (Photo: VNA)
Notably, in early August, a river festival was held in the city for the first time, with a series of cultural and entertainmentactivities related to its waterways for locals and tourists.
The three-day festival aimed at preserving andpromoting the city’s culture and history, and make use of its waterways toboost the economy and tourism in order to build the city’s brand as aculturally rich riverside urban area.
Recently, the municipal People’s Committee also issued aplan for the development of waterway tourism products in the 2023-2025 period. By 2025, it aims to develop at least 10 waterway tours andwaterway tour programmes linking seaports and river routes.
The number of international cruise ship tourists arriving inthe city will be 100,000 in 2023 and 2024, and rise 12-15% in the followingyears.
In the 2023-24 period, the city’s cruise industry isexpected to hit 500 billion VND (21 million USD) per year in revenue, andincrease by 12% in the following years./.
A culture and tourism week of Vietnam’s northwestern region and Ho Chi Minh City is scheduled to take place for the first time in the Lao province of Luang Prabang from October 25 to 27.
To welcome its first direct route connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Perth, Vietjet is offering tickets from only 0 VND (excluding taxes, fees) for all flights from/ to Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne of Australia.
Ho Chi Minh City’s waterway tourism is expected to earn 300 billion VND (12.6 million USD) per year this year and next year, and increase 10% in the following years.
“There is no more atmospheric way to haul into Vietnam’s twin metropolises as this train rattles through historic cities and swooshes beside spectacular coastlines,” according to Lonely Planet.
All the 240 households in Thieng Lieng hamlet once knew only salt production and aquaculture, but now welcoming tourists has become a source of their joy and income.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
HCM City People’s Committee recently issues a plan for the development of waterway tourism products in the 2023-2025 period with an aim to attract more tourists (Photo: sggp.org.vn) 
Foreign tourists take a tour around HCM City (Photo: VNA) 
