HCM City’s hospitality market reaches over 92% of pre-pandemic level
The hotel room occupancy rate in Ho Chi Minh City in the first half of this year stood at 64%, reaching over 92% of the level in the first six months of 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, according to Savills Vietnam.
HCM City’s hospitality market reaches over 92% of pre-pandemic level. (Source: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – The hotel room occupancy rate in Ho Chi Minh City in the first half of this year stood at 64%, reaching over 92% of the level in the first six months of 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, according to Savills Vietnam.
The real estate agency said during the reviewed period, the southern metropolis welcomed 18 million visitors, the biggest number nationwide, of whom about 1.9 million were foreigners, accounting for 11%.
The recovery rate of international tourists to HCM City was at only 46%, even lower than the national average of 66%, it said.
Notably, its revenue from hotel services exceeded 5 trillion VND (211.08 million USD), the highest as compared with other localities, representing a year-on-year rise of 25%.
Savills experts said China was the biggest source of visitors to HCM City in the first half, and the number of Chinese tourists is expected to increase in the remaining months.
Troy Griffiths, Deputy Managing Director of Savills Vietnam, pointed out that Vietnam has still lagged behind its regional peers in the recovery of the number of international tourists, adding the market is expected to completely recover in 2024.
HCM City counts 15,662 hotel rooms from 110 projects, of which 404 have been temporarily closed./.
Vietnam hospitality requires innovative products that can cater to the demands of young domestic and international travellers, such as poshtels, entertainment-integrated complexes, limited-service accommodations, and co-living and co-working spaces, experts have said.
Airlineratings.com, the world’s only safety and product rating website, has named Vietjet as the World's Best Low-Cost Airline Onboard Hospitality in 2023 for the first time and as the Best Ultra Low-Cost Airline for the fifth year in a row.
From August 15, people with Vietnamese e-visas can enter and exit the country any number of times within 90 days, a long-awaited and major overhaul of the country’s visa system that is expected to revive tourism and hospitality, according to industry insiders.
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.
HCM City’s hospitality market reaches over 92% of pre-pandemic level. (Source: VNA) 
