HCM City eyes 8.5 million international visitors in 2019
Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism authorities will focus on marketing and promotion campaigns to attract more foreign tourists this year, according to the municipal Department of Tourism.
Visitors enjoy Sai Gon River at night (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) –Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism authorities will focus on marketing and promotioncampaigns to attract more foreign tourists this year, according to themunicipal Department of Tourism.
The city targets receiving 8.5million international visitors and 32.77 million domestic holidaymakers thisyear, up 14 percent and 13 percent year on year, respectively.
Tourism revenue this year isexpected to rise by 14.5 percent year-on-year to reach 150 trillion VND (6.44billion USD).
This year, the department willwork with airlines and international tourism agencies to organise farm trips atsource markets such as Western Europe and Northeast Asia.
Various cultural, art, cuisine and tourism events willbe organised throughout the year to attract visitors, with the Ao Dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) Festivaland the International Travel Expo HCM City inthe spotlight.
ITE HCMC 2019 will take placeSeptember 5-7 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC).
ITE HCMC 2019 under the theme“Travel Gateway to Asia” is the country’s largest and most establishedinternational trade tourism expo, and is a key bridge in the tourism industryfor both inbound and outbound markets in Vietnam and the region, according tothe department.
As part of tourism promotionefforts, the department organisedthe “Roadshow Ho Chi Minh City Tourism” at the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2019 and TRAVEXExhibition in Quang Ninh province.
The roadshow promoted HCM City asa safe, attractive and friendly destination. It saw the participation of morethan 150 international media, international travel professionals andrepresentatives of national tourism organisations of ASEAN.
To celebrate HCM City’s 320thanniversary, the department has launched eight new city tours to provideinteresting experiences to explore the formation and development of Sai Gon -Gia Dinh - HCM City and enhance the image of an ancient and modern city.
The number of internationalarrivals to HCM City reached 7.5 million last year, an increase of 17 percentcompared to the previous year.-VNA
The number of international arrivals in Ho Chi Minh City has to date this year reached 3.18 million, up 32 percent from last year and meeting 42.4 percent of the yearly target.
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.
The central coastal city of Da Nang has set the target of welcoming 8.19 million visitors in 2019, including 3.19 million foreigners, a year-on-year rise of 6.9 percent and 11 percent, respectively.
Vietnam has received more than 1.5 million international tourists in January, a year-on-year increase of 5 percent, the General Statistics Office (GSO) announced on January 29.
The number of visitors increased by 4.1% compared to the same period last year, while total tourism revenue surged by 48.8%, or nearly 88% of the year’s target.
“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.
Visitors enjoy Sai Gon River at night (Photo: VNA) 
