According to statistics from the HCMC Department of Tourism on the afternoon of 1/12, the city welcomed an estimated 780,000 international visitors and 4,2 million domestic visitors in November. Total tourism revenue reached nearly 28,5 nghin ty dong.

Cumulatively for the first 11 months, Ho Chi Minh City received nearly 7,4 million international visitors and 37,3 million domestic visitors, achieving nearly 75% of its full-year visitor target. Total tourism revenue is estimated at nearly 234,000 ty dong, reaching 80,5% of the annual target of 290,000 ty dong.

Ho Chi Minh City is developing high-value-added product groups, including night tourism, culinary experiences, medical tourism, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism. Products like helicopter city tours and waterway tourism are attracting high-end visitors. Additionally, local products such as Hoc Mon agricultural tourism, community tourism in Thieng Lieng islet hamlet, and the "Nam ky luc tinh" (Southern six provinces) tour diversify options for tourists, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism.

Unlike Hanoi, which has nearly reached its goals after 11 months, Ho Chi Minh City's tourism sector needs to accelerate to meet its set targets, according to experts and CEOs of tourism companies.

Customers shopping at a commercial center in Ho Chi Minh City, November 2024. Photo: Quynh Tran

According to Nguyen Van My, Chairman of Lua Viet Tour, beyond visitor numbers, Ho Chi Minh City's tourism should focus more on visitor quality, profit, and per-capita spending. A destination with fewer, high-quality visitors who spend more and stay longer is preferable to an overcrowded one with low-spending tourists.

"Welcoming three visitors who spend 1,000 USD each is better than welcoming 5 visitors who each spend 500 USD," My stated.

Over the 11-month period, Ho Chi Minh City welcomed an estimated 45 million visitors, matching the total visitor count for all of 2024. In terms of sales, total tourism revenue for the 11 months of 2025 increased by 20% compared to the entire year of 2024.

Phuong Anh