HCM City calls for travel firms’ cooperation to boost tourism
Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong has called for travel companies’ cooperation to attract 7 million foreign tourists to the city in 2017.
Foreign visitors to Ben Thanh Market in HCM City (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh CityPeople’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong has called for travel companies’cooperation to attract 7 million foreign tourists to the city in 2017.
At a meeting with tourism firms on April 13, hesaid the city’s tourism development is partly driven by travel businesses andaccommodation providers.
He pledged the best possible conditions fortheir operations to turn tourism into a spearhead industry.
This year, HCM City will upgrade museums andentertainment centres, accelerate the construction of a safari park in Cu Chidistrict and develop sea tourism in Can Gio district to attract visitors andencourage their spending. It has also devised a human resources developmentprogramme for tourism.
Phong asked the municipal Tourism Department todesign a tourism development strategy until 2030 and beyond, or else theindustry won’t develop fully. The city’s leaders are ready to invite foreignexperts and organisations to assist in outlining this strategy.
At the meeting, representatives of many travelcompanies and hotels gave opinions on tourism products along with various typesof tourism. They also pointed out obstacles facing businesses in the industry.
HCM City welcomed about 5.2 million foreigntourists in 2016, a year-on-year increase of 10 percent.
By the end of 2017’s first quarter, there were more than1,170 travel companies in the city, including 575 foreign ones, mostly indistricts 1, 3 and Phu Nhuan.-VNA
A wide variety of exciting cultural, sports, fashion and cuisine events will be planned annually in HCM City to attract more tourists, city leaders have said.
New York, famously known as the “city that never sleeps,” will soon be joined by Ho Chi Minh City, which is aspiring to that status in an effort to step up its tourism game.
The freshly-ended Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival 2017 attracted about 350,000 visitors, a rise of 20 percent over the previous year, according to the organising board.
An exhibition hall featuring more than 100 life-size statues of Vietnamese artists working in theatre, movie and music was opened in Ho Chi Minh City on April 11.
A quick search for “Vietnam is calling” on TikTok reveals a myriad of clips capturing the excitement of visitors setting off for Vietnam, with short videos showing tourists holding their passports, wheeling their suitcases through airports or exploring Vietnam’s scenic landscapes, diverse cuisine and unique culture - all set to upbeat, catchy soundtracks.
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.
Foreign visitors to Ben Thanh Market in HCM City (Photo: VNA) 
