Vietnam welcomed nearly 5.6 million international visitors and served 64 million domestic arrivals in the first six months of 2023, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. Total tourism revenue reached VND 343 trillion, up 29.4% from the same period in 2022.
In the first half of 2023, Ho Chi Minh City emerged as a bright spot in Vietnam’s tourism industry. The city’s total tourism revenue reached nearly 81 thousand billion VND, representing a 62.7% increase compared to the same period in 2022 and 121% compared to 2019. As a leading tourism center in the country, Ho Chi Minh City welcomed over 16.4 million domestic tourists, a 48% increase from the same period in 2022.
Data from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism shows that in the first half of this year, the city recorded more than 1.9 million international tourist arrivals, a 306% increase over the same period.
This success is attributed to the city’s tourism industry’s efforts in promoting investment and developing diverse tourism products such as waterway, MICE, and Golf. Additionally, the city has renewed its tourism programs and organized many events such as Tourism Day and the International Tourism Exhibition ITE to attract both domestic and foreign tourists.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, stated that through surveying tourists and conducting market research, the city’s tourism industry has identified core factors for building its brand, quality, and communication plan. Tourism promotion is combined with market research to help businesses identify product promotion opportunities.
In the second half of 2023, diverse tourism events and products, along with new visa policies, are expected to boost the city’s tourism industry and attract more tourists.