Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition (MICE) tourism should become a staple of Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism sector, as the lucrative business brings added value and contributes to the city’s sustainable development, experts said.
Foreign MICE tourists organise international conference in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition(MICE) tourism should become a staple of Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism sector, as thelucrative business brings added value and contributes to the city’s sustainabledevelopment, experts said.
According to statistics from McKinsey consulting group, 17 percent of visitorsto HCM City came for working purposes in 2017, higher than the region’s averageof 14-15 percent.
Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Association Tao Van Nghe said that incontrast with budget tourism, MICE tourists tend to spend more during theirstay, a potential boon for the city.
Ho Chi Minh City also has potential to branch out MICE tourism as it attractsmore than 50 percent of international tourists to Vietnam. Thanks to the city’sgood investment and business climate, it has become a popular spot for many internationalbusiness forums.
Visitors from Malaysia and India chose Ho Chi Minh City for both vacations andseeking business partners, Nghe added.
However, to make MICE part of the city’s strategic tourism products, Ho ChiMinh City should land more investment in infrastructure, especially restaurants,hotels and convention centres as current facilities are below the standards ofMICE tourism.
Nghe said that the city has only 20 five-star hotels and 20 four-star hotels,thus, it will face difficulties arranging accommodation and venues for MICEdelegations of more than 1,000 people.
Along with top quality and modern facilities, accommodation prices must becompetitive so Ho Chi Minh can become a darling with MICE tourists, BenWieglus, Head of Sustainability under Informa Group suggested.
Meanwhile, simple visa procedures were recommended by Scott Hodgetts, GeneralDirector at Sheraton Saigon Hotels and Towers.
Additional direct flights connecting the city with other large cities should helpdevelop MICE tourism.
Director of the municipal Department of Tourism Bui Ta Hoang Vu said that thecity plans to build a 14 hectare convention centre in Thu Thiem urban area andset up a throngs of top-notch hotels to meet demands of MICE tourists.-VNA
Ho Chi Minh City will become a new destination for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) tourism in Southeast Asia thanks to its dynamic development.
MICE tourism holds big potential for cooperation between Vietnamese and Singaporean travel agencies, as heard at a roadshow event in Singapore on December 9.
A sharp increase in MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Conference and Event) tourist arrivals in HCM City has fuelled concern among tourism firms over possible shortages of hotel rooms and conference halls.
Experts from travel and hotel industry gathered to discuss the development of MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Conference and Event) tourism in Ho Chi Minh City on September 6.
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.
Foreign MICE tourists organise international conference in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA) 
