Concerted efforts by all related sectors and stakeholders are vital to fully exploit HCM City’s tourism potential, city leaders said (Photo: ivivu.vn)
HCM City(VNA) - Concerted efforts by all related sectors and stakeholders are vital tofully exploit Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism potential, city leaders said. Tourism is among the city’s key sectors,accounting for 10 percent of its economy, Secretary of the municipal PartyCommittee Dinh La Thang said. The tourism sector comprises many differentcomponents and inter-related parts like transportation, culture, trade andindustry, health and public security, he said at a meeting with the cityDepartment of Tourism last week. A partnership involving the public and privatesectors and stakeholders in tourism is needed for the sector’s sustainabledevelopment, he said. He urged the deputy chairman of the cityPeople’s Committee, Tran Vinh Tuyen, to helm efforts to usher in closercollaboration between related sectors and stakeholders to boost tourismdevelopment. The Saigon Safari Park project in Cu ChiDistrict, which is expected to become the country’s largest eco-tourismfacility, would be begun this year, Thang said. A master plan for tourism on the Sai Gon Rivershould be developed soon to make it a unique product, he said. Wastewater should be treated properly to ensurea clean environment for river tours, he added. Bui Ta Hoang Vu, director of the tourismdepartment, said the city has huge potential in river tourism but pollutedwater bodies and lack of places to dock have hindered its development. It has a total of 1,150 travel agents, including150 international ones, accounting for 20 per cent of the country’s totalnumber, he said. But it has yet to develop tourism links withother cities and provinces, he said. Tran Vinh Tuyen, deputy chairman of the cityPeople’s Committee, said more unique tourism products and activities would bedeveloped to attract tourists -- such as rural tourism in outlying districts,eco-tourism in Can Gio and the light art festival, street art festival, andunicorn-lion-dragon dance festival. This year the city has targeted 5.8 millioninternational visitors. Last year there were 5.19 million arrivals, anincrease of 13 percent from 2015.-VNA
The HCM City tourism sector has made good preparations this year to attract international visitors but more new attractions are needed for them to succeed.
Despite having a 1,000-km long network of canals and rivers, Ho Chi Minh City has developed its waterway tourism slowly in recent years, with only a few tours now operating.
The HCM City Tourism Association has sought the continuation of an existing visa waiver for citizens of five Western European countries and the addition of India and Australia to the list.
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.
Concerted efforts by all related sectors and stakeholders are vital to fully exploit HCM City’s tourism potential, city leaders said (Photo: ivivu.vn) 
