Ho Chi Minh City tourism grows strongly
According to records, from morning to night, famous tourist attractions in the center of Ho Chi Minh City are always bustling with tourists. Many families, groups of young people and international tourist groups continuously visit, experience, and shop, contributing to creating a vibrant atmosphere for the city. This recovery continues to be shown through the positive figures of the city's tourism industry in the first 7 months of 2026.
Ms. Emelie - a German tourist said that Ho Chi Minh City is the last stop on her journey to explore Vietnam. Before the trip, she learned quite a lot about shopping activities in the city through social networks, so she was even more excited to experience it.
I find the goods here very diverse, with many different styles, so it's very interesting. Yesterday, I enjoyed food and strolled on the pedestrian street. Today, I continue to explore Ho Chi Minh City Book Street before going shopping. This is my first time to Vietnam and I am having very memorable experiences" - Ms. Emelie shared.
According to Mr. Nguyen Huu An - Deputy Head of Planning - Product Development Department of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, in the first 7 months of 2026, international visitors to Ho Chi Minh City are estimated at 7,136,102 arrivals, an increase of 42.7% compared to the same period in 2025 and completing 64.9% of the annual plan; domestic tourists are estimated at 31,675,000 arrivals, reaching 63.4% of the plan. Total tourism revenue is estimated at 237,466 billion VND, an increase of 53.3% compared to the same period last year and completing 72% of the 2026 plan.
To maintain the growth momentum, in the coming time, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism will implement many large-scale stimulus solutions in both domestic and international markets to attract more tourists to the city. The highlight is the 20th Ho Chi Minh City International Tourism Fair (ITE HCMC).
Mr. An said that the city's tourism industry is also promoting at international fairs such as IMEX America (USA) and ITB Asia (Singapore). At the same time, coordinating with the Department of Industry and Trade to implement centralized promotion programs, connecting tourism with trade to stimulate tourist spending.
Diversifying products, aiming to increase spending and stay
In the first half of 2026, the city will promote MICE tourism products, night economy tourism, waterway tourism, community tourism and culinary tourism. Notably, the product of admiring Ho Chi Minh City from above by helicopter has been commercially exploited, opening up a high-end tourism segment for groups of customers with large spending capacity.
In the coming time, the city's tourism industry will continue to improve high-class tourism products, and at the same time expand tourism models associated with urban spaces, industrial parks, coastal areas of Can Gio, Ho Tram... to extend the stay time of tourists.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, the industry's goal is not only to stop at growth figures but also to build a humane, open, civilized and sustainable destination, worthy of a special city. Taking advantage of the development space after the merger, the city's tourism industry is shifting its focus from "welcoming many guests" to extending stays, increasing spending and improving the quality of tourist experiences.
