HCM City, northwestern provinces promote tourism development collaboration
The People's Committees of Ho Chi Minh City and eight expanded northwestern provinces convened a tourism promotion conference in the southern economic hub on December 4, aiming to promote their culture and tourism domestically and internationally.
Stalls introduce tourism products of the expanded northwestern provinces on the sidelines of the conference. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) - The People's Committees of HoChi Minh City and eight expanded northwestern provinces convened a tourismpromotion conference in the southern economic hub on December 4, aiming to promote their culture and tourism domestically andinternationally.
Addressing the event, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People'sCommittee Nguyen Van Dung stated that the city always considers tourism development collaboration a crucial task, adding it has teamed up with 49 provinces,cities, and key economic zones nationwide.
The southern metropolis and the expanded northwestern region have coordinated in variousevents and conducted surveys to develop new tours, routes and products connectingthe sides, he noted.
Representing the region, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dien Bien province Vu A Bang said that the conference is among activities to carry out cooperationprogrammes and agreements in the field between the provinces and the city for2020-2025.
The official stressed that via the event, the local tourismindustry hopes to enhance connections and joint work with the city, creatingopportunities for many tourism enterprises to update information and expand theirmarket.
He said the conference is expected to serve as a platformfor local authorities, state management agencies, and travel firms to exchangeideas and assess potential, opportunities, and orientation for building their products.It also involved sharing experience in tourism development cooperationand proposing solutions and initiatives for future links between the localities.
The expanded northwestern region comprises Hoa Binh, Son La,Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, and Ha Giang. It possesses richtourism resources with magnificent nature, distinctive culture, and glorioushistory, making it attractive to tourists. Renowned attractions include Mount Fansipan inLao Cai, known as the roof of Indochina, the UNESCO Global Geopark Dong VanKarst Plateau in Ha Giang, and the Mu Cang Chai terraced fields in Yen Bai./.
Thriving tourism has contributed to the preservation of indigenous cultures and created an impetus for growth and economic restructuring in the northern mountainous region.
Terraced fields and the culture linked with them are considered a “specialty” of the northwestern region, but comprehensive investment strategies and development measures are needed to fully capitalise on this tourism resource, experts said.
The first culture and tourism week of Vietnam’s northwestern region and Ho Chi Minh City kicked off in the Lao province of Luang Prabang on October 25.
The third Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Week kicked off on December 4 with a range of tourism, sports and music activities, along with promotional programmes to stimulate shopping and travel demand across the southern economic hub.
The number of visitors increased by 4.1% compared to the same period last year, while total tourism revenue surged by 48.8%, or nearly 88% of the year’s target.
“There is no more atmospheric way to haul into Vietnam’s twin metropolises as this train rattles through historic cities and swooshes beside spectacular coastlines,” according to Lonely Planet.
All the 240 households in Thieng Lieng hamlet once knew only salt production and aquaculture, but now welcoming tourists has become a source of their joy and income.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Stalls introduce tourism products of the expanded northwestern provinces on the sidelines of the conference. (Photo: VNA) 
