Promoting cooperation in tourism development between Ho Chi Minh City and 13 provinces in the Mekong Delta

At the conference on tourism development in Ho Chi Minh City, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism said that in the third quarter of 2024, the Department will carry out a number of key tasks such as: tourism development orientation, tourism product development, tourism promotion and advertising, training and fostering tourism human resources, tourism development cooperation, travel management - accommodation establishments...

Specifically, the Department will advise the City People's Committee to approve the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Development Strategy to 2030. Continue to implement the Smart Tourism Development Project in Ho Chi Minh City for the period 2021-2025, focusing on implementing the project to build a tourism service database system.

The Department of Tourism will also continue to develop typical tourism products to focus on exploiting and promoting the strengths of tourism in Thu Duc city and districts associated with tourism types that are potential strengths of the locality. Implement the Waterway Tourism Product Development Plan for the period 2023-2025, focusing on effectively implementing the Waterway Tourism Development Plan for 2024. Develop cultural and historical tourism products in the city; develop agricultural and ecological tourism associated with the implementation of the New Rural Development Program in Ho Chi Minh City; promote the Night Tourism Product Development Plan.

The Department of Tourism coordinates with the Department of Health to implement a plan to develop medical tourism products; promote the implementation of the MICE tourism development policy in the City; increase the attractiveness of destinations to attract high-spending visitors while paying attention to honoring and encouraging tourism businesses to bring MICE visitors to the City. Implement the set of culinary criteria applicable in Ho Chi Minh City after being approved by competent authorities. Continue to implement the Ho Chi Minh City tourism stimulus program in 2024.

Regarding tourism communication, promotion and advertising, in this third quarter, the Department will implement the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Brand Communication Plan for 2024 to improve the quality of tourism services, products and events serving tourists in Ho Chi Minh City on the official information channels of the industry, domestically and internationally; build stories about Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City, diversify types, tools and means of propaganda and promotion, exploit and take advantage of social networks and digital media to increase interaction with tourists and enhance dissemination.

Improve the quality of technology application in information and tourism promotion of the City, continue to effectively implement plans: Apply 3D in information and tourism promotion of Ho Chi Minh City in 2024; Effectively operate information portal 1022 to support tourists. Improve the quality and richness of information and content on the Department of Tourism's Electronic Information Portal to better serve businesses, people and tourists. Focus on organizing the 18th Ho Chi Minh City International Tourism Fair in 2024 to create positive effects and high spread.

The Department of Tourism continues to implement a plan to update knowledge for tour guides in 2024. Develop and implement a plan to organize professional testing for tour guides at the site in 2024.

Continue to focus on effectively implementing regional tourism linkages between Ho Chi Minh City and provinces/cities according to the plan, focusing on the Tourism Development Cooperation Program between Ho Chi Minh City and 13 provinces in the Mekong Delta.

In the third quarter, implement the plan to recognize tourist areas and tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh City in 2024. Coordinate with Thu Duc City and 21 districts to mobilize tourist attractions to submit applications for recognition of tourist areas and attractions in the city. Implement preparations for the workshop "Promoting the application of ASEAN Tourism Standards towards sustainability and environmental friendliness". Continue to implement the inspection of minimum conditions, appraisal and classification, and star rating for tourist accommodation establishments according to regulations, on the basis of strengthening coordination with Thu Duc City and 21 districts.

At the same time, the Department will continue to inspect travel agencies and hotels according to the 2024 plan. Strictly handle violations of the law to deter, prevent, and stop violations of the law in the tourism sector; ensure that complaints, denunciations, recommendations, and reflections are handled in accordance with the procedures prescribed by law, and resolve each case thoroughly, without leaving it pending or dragging on.

Reporting at the Conference, the Department of Tourism said that in the first 7 months of 2024, international visitors to Ho Chi Minh City in the first 7 months of 2024 are estimated at 3,075,256 arrivals, an increase of 30.3% over the same period in 2023 (7 months of 2023 is 2,360,367 arrivals), reaching 51.3% compared to the plan for 2024.

Domestic tourists to Ho Chi Minh City in the first 7 months of 2024 are estimated at 20,082,159 arrivals, an increase of 7.6% over the same period in 2023 (18,662,413 arrivals in the first 7 months of 2023), reaching 52.8% of the 2024 plan.

Total tourism revenue in the first 7 months of 2024 is estimated at VND 108,004 billion, an increase of 15.4% over the same period in 2023 (VND 93,593 billion in the first 7 months of 2023), reaching 67.5% of the 2024 plan.