Ho Chi Minh City is seeking to better use its tourism potential, improve competitiveness and increase the value of its tourism offerings. The effort follows Politburo Resolution No. 26-NQ/TW on developing tourism as a key economic sector in the new era.
A strong international brand, rising visitor numbers and higher visitor spending are expected to help tourism make a larger and more sustainable contribution to the double-digit economic growth ambitions of the city and Vietnam.
International awards
At the 2026 World Travel Awards for Asia, Oceania and the Indian Ocean, Ho Chi Minh City won three titles: Asia's Leading Business Travel Destination, Asia's Leading Festival & Event Destination and Asia's Leading City Tourist Destination. The municipal Department of Tourism received the award in the last category. The titles recognise progress in business travel, meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, festivals and events.
VietnamPlus reported that the awards also reflect tourism businesses' work to improve destination quality, diversify products and strengthen international promotion. Ho Chi Minh City is seeking to reinforce its image as a dynamic, creative city with a distinct cultural identity and varied experiences.
The Saigontourist Group Festival of Culinary Culture and Delicacies 2026 won the World's Best Culinary Festival and Asia's Best Culinary Festival titles at the World Culinary Awards. It secured the global title for a fourth consecutive year and the Asian title for a fifth consecutive year. VietnamPlus linked the results to the appeal of Vietnamese culture expressed through cuisine.
Saigontourist Group also received the Inspirational Brand Award in the hospitality, restaurant and tourism sector at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards 2026. Its chairwoman, Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, said the awards brought pride but also increased the company's responsibility to create new value, promote Vietnam's distinctive offerings abroad and bring the world closer to the country through tourism, cuisine and culture.
Tourism businesses say sustained international competitiveness requires continuous product innovation, better service quality and stronger cooperation with domestic and foreign partners.
Competitiveness and targets
Ho Chi Minh City's Resolution No. 62/2025/NQ-HDND on support policies for MICE tourism has provided a framework for attracting business events through 2030. The city is targeting conferences, exhibitions and events in priority sectors including finance, technology, innovation, logistics, healthcare, education, industry and the marine economy.
The city needs to do more than provide venues and services. It also needs to attract events that match its development priorities. Aviation connectivity is important for expanding markets and improving the visitor experience. The municipal Department of Tourism and Airports Corporation of Vietnam have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote tourism and develop air routes during 2026–2030.
ACV Chairman Nguyen Cao Cuong said the corporation manages and operates 21 airports nationwide and views airport infrastructure as a gateway connecting markets, trade and tourism. The cooperation is intended to help both sides use their strengths and resources to improve Ho Chi Minh City's regional and international position.
Ho Chi Minh City is targeting 11 million international arrivals and 50 million domestic visitors in 2026, with tourism revenue expected to reach 330 trillion VND (12.77 billion USD). By 2030, the city aims to welcome 20 million international and 67 million domestic tourists and generate 700 trillion VND in revenue.
Pham Huy Binh, deputy director of the municipal Department of Tourism, said the city would focus on combining its tourism resources, infrastructure and services into integrated products. He said this should strengthen Ho Chi Minh City's appeal as a safe, welcoming and dynamic megacity on the global tourism map.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
