OVER 1.6 MILLION FOREIGN VISITORS COME TO HCMC IN Q1

Foreign tourists stroll in downtown HCMC – PHOTO: DAT THANH

HCMC – HCMC attracted more than 1.6 million international visitors and 8.5 million domestic travelers in the first quarter of this year, according to the city’s Department of Tourism.

The city generated an estimated VND56.66 trillion in tourism revenue during the period, up by 26.7% year-on-year and reaching 21.8% of the full-year target.

International arrivals have risen by 18.2% over the same period in 2024, accounting for 19.2% of the city’s goal of 8.5 million international visitors this year. Domestic travelers have increased by 6.3%, also achieving 19.1% of the 2025 target of 45 million.

To boost tourism, the municipal tourism authority has expanded inter-regional travel offerings in collaboration with local districts, Thu Duc City, and tour operators.

Key tourism products include the “Go Mon” route covering District 12, Go Vap, Hoc Mon, and Cu Chi; the eco-tourism experience “A Green Corner of Saigon” in districts 4 and 7 and Nha Be District; and the historical tour “Legendary Secret Bunkers” in Districts 1, 3, and 10.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of south Vietnam and the reunification of the nation (April 30), the department has launched a social media campaign featuring a new tourism brand identity and slogan. It is also producing a visual data set of 50 iconic HCMC destinations and a short film project titled 50 Flashes to promote the city’s image.

Major cultural and promotional events held or supported by the tourism department include the Nguyen Hue Flower Street, the HCMC Ao Dai Festival, and the Vietnam Bread Festival.

Waterway tourism is also receiving renewed attention. The city is upgrading 14 river tour routes, including two high-speed ferry lines to Cambodia, and developing 22 new routes linking HCMC with the Mekong Delta and Cambodia. Additional survey work is underway to explore potential river routes to Dong Nai and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces.

For 2025, HCMC aims to welcome around 8.5 million international visitors and 45 million domestic travelers, with total tourism revenue projected at VND260 trillion, up by about 37% from last year.

Source: The Saigon Times