HCM City steps up communications to promote tourism
Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Tourism on March 3 announced a draft communications plan to promote a vibrant southern destination on domestic and international media platforms this year.
HCM City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City's Department ofTourism on March 3 announced a draft communications plan to promote a vibrant southern destination on domestic and international media platforms this year.
Accordingly, with a highlight on the theme of Vibrant Ho ChiMinh City, the plan is expected to popularise localdestinations, people, cultural identities, products, and cuisine, targeting domesticand foreign visitors. It features the production of television commercials and under-60-second films about local destinations and tourism products; the appointment of a tourismambassador; and advertisements on international media channels.
Regarding the city’s welcoming of foreign tourists, directorof the department Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa said a number of solutions have been preparedfor the implementation of specific programmes in line with the Government’stourism reopening direction in the coming time.
Earlier, the department accompanied many firms in exploiting local waterway routes. It plans to conduct surveys and operate helicopter toursand a high-speed boat service to Con Dao island.
Currently, the city has 34 hotels with 6,800 rooms meeting requirements of the pilot plan on welcoming international touriststhis year. There are five local businesses – Saigontourist, Vinasun Travel, HaiVan Cat Travel, TSTourist and Blue Sky Travel – allowed to offer tour packagesto foreign visitors.
At the event, representatives of many travel companies said, to attract international tourists, the top issue that needs to be solved is related to entry-exit procedures.
Bui The Duy, Director of Lua Viet Tours Limited Company,suggested the city's tourism sector widely disseminate information about procedures and regulations for international visitors to Vietnam as well as implementimmigration procedures using online channels./.
Nine tourist destinations in Ho Chi Minh City have recently been allowed to welcome international visitors under a pilot program, according to the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Ho Chi Minh City’s total retail sales of goods and revenues from services exceeded 89.09 trillion VND (3.9 billion USD) in February, up 0.4 percent against the previous month and 0.9 percent from the same period last year.
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.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) 
