The tourism sector in Vietnam seems to be changing, with Ho Chi Minh City seemingly acting as the dynamic center of this change. The city’s recent strategic promotion at the Global City Tourism Summit in Busan may be the pivotal event in Vietnam’s striving to be a destination of the world. The purpose of this article is to analyze how Ho Chi Minh is city is acting as the Vietnam’s center for sustainable tourism growth.
What is Ho Chi Minh City Global Tourism Strategy?
The tourism authorities of the city have broken through the traditional marketing framework and adopted a sophisticated global engagement strategy. The Vietnam-Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Program at the first Global City Tourism Summit in Busan, South Korea is, for this reason, a strategic move in building the city’s global marketing for Vietnam.
This program served multiple strategic objectives that demonstrate the city’s comprehensive approach to global tourism development.
International Positioning. Presenting the tourism products of Ho Chi Minh City to stakeholders and leaders of the travel industry around the world.
Trend Adoption. Engaging with the newest developments of the global tourism industry like the use of AI, sustainable tourism, and the promotion of cultural tourism.
Partnership Building. Direct engagement with the tourism industry in Busan to secure quality buyers for the International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC) 2026.
Relationship Strengthening. Enhancing the three-decade partnership of Ho Chi Minh City and Busan in tourism, trade, and investment.
Led by Deputy Director Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu, the delegation took part in strategic discussions and business development meetings, with Ho Chi Minh City serving as a focal point in global tourism discussions.
How considerable is the growth of tourism in Vietnam at the moment?
Vietnam is among the countries with the most rapid growth in tourism in the world, with 21% growth in international arrivals in the first half of 2025, compared to 2024. This growth places Vietnam, as with Japan, at the top of the world in tourism growth.
Vietnamese Tourism Overview (Jul 2025)
Vietnam’s tourist arrivals reached 10.67 million in the first half of 2025, achieving about 50% of the annual goal of 22-23 million visitors. During the same time, the country earned about $ 21.3 billion from tourism, confirming the growing impact tourism has on the economy.
| Metric | Performance (H1 2025) | Year-on-Year Growth |
|---|---|---|
| International Visitors | ~10.67 million | +21% |
| Asian Market Share | 78% of total arrivals | +21.1% |
| European Visitors | 1.34 million | +26.5% |
| Tourism Revenue | ~$21.3 billion | Significant increase |
Despite the fact that the Asia and Pacific region remains 8% below pre-pandemic travel levels, the region’s performance of 92% underscores the country’s growing charm and economic appeal, along with successful tourism management on the country’s Vietnam.
What Tourism Policies Have Pioneered Vietnam’s Success?
Custom and border policies, along with the proactive approach of the government to visa policies, have set the country on the pathway to success. Vietnam has become one of the most sought after destinations in the world. The visa policies and steps taken to ease the country’s borders have dramatically simplified the processes involved in entering the country.
Visa Policy Changes
Vietnam’s electronic visa system has improved significantly. Citizens from all countries and territories can apply for an electronic visa of 90 days duration, which was standardly 30 days. In addition, the country has expanded its visa waiver policy and now grants visa free entry for 45 days to citizens of 24 countries.
Infrastructure Expansion
Due to planned expansions of 30 airports by 2030 with a total annual capacity of 294.5 million passengers, ambitious airport expansion plans are at the core of Vietnam’s tourism infrastructure strategy. Major developments are:
Long Thanh International Airport: This $5.5 billion infrastructure development will increase regional capacity by servicing the Ho Chi Minh City area and its environs.
- Tuy Hoa and Vinh Airports: These are currently undergoing significant expansions to add millions of passengers to the existing capacity.
- Phu Quoc Airport: This facility has a target annual capacity of 18-20 million passengers.
How is Ho Chi Minh City Performing as a Tourism Hub?
Ho Chi Minh City is the tourism gateway to Vietnam. Its performance metrics on tourism are well above average compared to the rest of the country. In the first 6 months of 2025, Ho Chi Minh City alone was able to attract 3.85 million international tourists, thus recording an increase of 44% on a year on year basis.
Out of the total revenue of 117.94 trillion VND, which is more than 4.53 billion dollars, a 27.3% revenue increase was achieved year on year, which is an indicator that the city is almost half way to achieving its annual tourism goals.
Ho Chi Minh City has 3,146 accommodation facilities and 1,709 travel agents actively servicing its tourists, which is a clear indicator of the well-planned tourism infrastructure that the city offers.
This addition of Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provinces to Ho Chi Minh’s borders has allowed it to diversify its tourism offerings significantly beyond urban tourism. Coastal luxury resorts from former Ba Ria-Vung Tau and craft villages from former Binh Duong now enrich the the the city’s tourism portfolio.
Especially What New Forms of Tourism Are Emerging in Vietnam?
Vietnam tourism is slowly transforming from the conventional forms of tourism to more novel, niche ones that tailor towards the interests of contemporary tourists.
Wellness and Eco Tourism
47% of tourism in Vietnam is constituted of eco-tourism and adventure tourism. More sustainable travel, alongside more accessible Vietnam eco-tourism and protected resources, is drawing more people to the nation due to biodiversity and scenic landscapes.
Culinary and Experiential Tourism
Saigon’s Ho Chi Minh city has recently promoted its gastronomic tourism through the novel “Exploring the culinary quintessence of Saigon” program, nationwide scheduled from July to the End of August 2025. Visitors beyond the city to Ha Giang can also participate in rice planting, alongside various craft making in Hue and traditional garment making in Hoi An.
Digital Advancement
The use of digital technology to assist and elevate the satisfaction of tourists in Vietnam is exemplary and top notch. As of now, the country has more than 60% of tourists in the country and 75% of foreign tourists using online booking systems to purchase tickets to hotels and various tours. The government also created a “Vietnam Travel” mobile application and a national tourism database to improve the ease of access to visitors.
What Challenges Does Vietnam’s Tourism Sector Face?
Although the growth is remarkable, a number of the challenges will need to be resolved in order for Vietnam to maintain this growth in the tourism industry and to reach its future ambitions.
| Challenge | Impact | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Workforce Shortages | Demand for 40,000 new workers annually with supply limited to 20,000; language proficiency issues among staff | Innovative training programs like the Swiss Hospitality Management Training Program and Netspace Culinary Vocational School |
| Regulatory Gaps | Outdated Tourism Law from 2017; lack of standards for new accommodation types like capsule hotels and farm stays | Ongoing policy review and development of new regulatory frameworks |
| Environmental Pressure | Overcrowding and pollution at popular sites; strain on cultural heritage locations | Policies requiring elimination of single-use plastics by 2030; eco-certification programs |
What is the Future Outlook for Vietnamese Tourism?
The future Vietnamese tourism outlook remains very optimistic due to the government’s goals of reaching 35 million foreign tourists and an expected 13-14% contribution to the GDP from the tourism sector. The tourism market is expected to grow from 25.7billionin2025to79.6 billion in 2035 with a compound annual growth rate of 12.1%.
Strategic global activities such as the Busan summit have enabled and will continue to enable Ho Chi Minh City to take advantage of this growth. The city’s investment in technology, cultural, and ecological global tourism will mesh harmoniously with the shifting world tourism market.
Ho Chi Minh City’s Role in the Growth of Tourism in Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City has positioned itself the driving force behind the astonishing growth of tourism in Vietnam. Transforming Vietnam into a global tourism center entails sophisticated promotional efforts abroad, building adequate infrastructure, and diversifying tourism products and services. Vietnam’s participation in the Global City Tourism Summit in Busan shows her attention to the contemporary trends in tourism and desire to position Vietnam on the map of innovative, culture-rich, and sustainable tourism. There is little doubt Ho Chi Minh City will continue to lead Vietnam’s buying tourism on the world map.
