HCM City among world's top cultural destinations for 2019
Vietnam’s southern city Ho Chi Minh City has claimed a place on UK travel website Culture Trip’s list of the 12 best cities for culture in the world in 2019.
An aerial view of HCM City by night (Photo: mytour.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – ♐Vietnam’s southern city Ho Chi MinhCity has claimed a place on UK travel website Culture Trip’s list of the 12 best cities for culture in the world in 2019.
The 12 destinations on the shortlist are chosen based on an analysis of cities that haveseen the highest growth in millennial interest on the Culture Trip site and appand a survey of 300 of the company’s local creators, who are based around theglobe. Ranked fourth,Ho Chi Minh City is described as an affordable destination with a buzzingcultural scene to match, making it perfect for cash-strapped millennial travellers.“A booming economy has brought a roaring energy to the city, palpable as soonas you leave the airport, and that energy increases as soon as you try ‘ca pheda’ (iced Vietnamese coffee), a jolt of caffeine and sugar like no other,” thesite wrote. It alsorecommended travellers meander around the city’s neighbourhoods and hiddenalleyways in search of street food and displays of public art. Thefirst three places on the list were Oaxaca City (Mexico), Porto (Portugal), andAustin (US). Following HCMCity are Cape Town (South Africa), Lima (Peru), Tokyo (Japan), Istanbul(Turkey), Budapest (Hungary), and Marrakech (Morocco). FormerlySaigon, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam. It welcomed over 7million foreign visitors in 2018. The local tourism sector has been growing ataround 15 percent each year over recent years.
Thecity set a target to expand tourism growth of between 15-20 percent and serveabout 8-8.5 million foreign holiday makers in 2019.
ꦦ To draw more tourists to the city, the localtourism sector has paid attention to improving the quality of human resourcesin the field, enhancing tourism promotion activities, promoting technologyapplication in tourism management and developing new products.-VNA
Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi remained among the global Top 10 most dynamic growing cities in JLL’s Short-Term City Momentum Index 2019, which tracks socio-economic and commercial real estate growth in 131 cities over a three-year period.
Nearly 100,000 books will be put on show at the annual book street festival in downtown Ho Chi Minh City from February 2-8 in celebration of the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday 2019.
Authorities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are speeding up plans to limit motorbikes entering inner-city areas and eventually phase motorbikes out in downtown areas to ease traffic jams.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City has added flights and check-in counters to serve the increasing number of passengers during the peak Tet holiday season (Lunar New Year).
This year’s tournament has gathered over 300 coaches, athletes, and referees from 18 countries and territories, competing in 28 combat weight categories and eight performance categories. Vietnam’s team has 50 athletes, including six from Thai Nguyen province.
It is the first time that the country is to hold a G1-level tournament which is expected to lure more than 100 athletes of 15 countries and regions at Go Vap Gymnasium.
Nguyen Trong Nha Uyen has made history for Vietnam’s dancesport by clinching a bronze medal in the solo Latin category at the WDSF World Championship 2025 in Germany.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
An aerial view of HCM City by night (Photo: mytour.vn) 
