This cooperation has helped Vietnam become a safe and attractive destination for international tourists, creating a solid foundation for the potential development of the real estate and resort industry in the coming time.
In 2024, Vietnam will welcome nearly 17.6 million international visitors, up 39.5% year-on-year and close to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Asia remains the main source market, with South Korea leading the way, contributing nearly 4.57 million visitors. Meanwhile, Chinese arrivals will see a strong recovery, reaching 3.74 million, up 114.4% year-on-year, but still not back to pre-pandemic levels.
Mr. Mauro Gasparotti, Senior Director, Southeast Asia, Hospitality, Savills Hotels and Founder of MTE Conferences, shared: “2024 has witnessed a strong recovery of the tourism industry in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi lead the country in tourism revenue, while key coastal destinations such as Nha Trang - Cam Ranh continue to record outstanding growth in the number of international visitors, up 125% respectively compared to the previous year. Phu Quoc also recorded a tourism boom in the final months of the year, thanks to the increase in direct international flights. This growth trend is expected to continue, especially when Phu Quoc is chosen as the venue for the APEC 2027 Conference.”
The hotel market in Ho Chi Minh City has also seen a significant recovery in 2024, with occupancy rates and room rates continuing to grow steadily, especially in the high-end hotel segment managed by professional hotel operators. The reason is that new supply is very limited while the number of tourists continues to grow. This shows that Ho Chi Minh City still has room to develop new supply.
Ms. Uyen Nguyen, Head of Consulting at Savills Hotels, said: “The hotel industry in Ho Chi Minh City is facing an opportunity to change with the development of urban infrastructure. When Long Thanh International Airport and connecting metro lines are completed, traveling around the city will become more convenient for domestic and international tourists. This will not only boost demand for long-term stays but can also increase demand for hotels in non-central areas, while enhancing the attractiveness of Ho Chi Minh City for MICE tourism. Hotels located near metro stations will benefit from the increase in demand for accommodation, thereby promoting the development of new projects in locations with convenient connections to the metro system."
In terms of capital markets, Vietnam continues to attract the attention of investors, especially from the Asian region and private equity funds. However, the number of transactions remains limited due to complex legal barriers and challenges in ownership structure, prolonging the negotiation process. Real estate located in major cities, with strategic locations and key infrastructure connections are still the most sought after, as investors prioritize assets with long-term value-add potential and stable business operations.
Mr. Gasparotti added: “The hospitality industry has shown impressive growth globally and has demonstrated its strong resilience after the crisis, becoming a potential sector for investment and development in the future. The development of technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), is and will continue to create breakthroughs in the tourism and hospitality industry, helping to optimize operational processes and enhance personalized experiences for visitors. This is the right time to re-evaluate this industry as a sustainable and long-term investment opportunity."
Products such as Branded Residences, luxury housing projects, rooftop bars, beach clubs, wellness resorts and membership clubs have been demonstrating the perfect combination of real estate and resort industries. These trends will continue to drive the development of real estate and resort industries in Vietnam, especially as many leading international brands are expected to enter the market.
According to Mr. Gasparotti: “In addition to projects in the luxury and ultra-luxury segments, Vietnam may see the rise of Branded Residences in the mid-range segment. This is a new trend, different from other markets in the region. Diversifying this segment brings more choices to buyers, but also carries risks - if projects do not meet brand standards, it can negatively affect customers' perception of the value and prestige of the branded apartment model.
Many interesting topics such as market overview, risk analysis and investment opportunities, wellness real estate, sustainable development, luxury housing segment and new technologies shaping the resort industry will be updated and discussed at the upcoming MTE (Meet The Experts) Conference on March 18, 2025 at Vinpearl Landmark 81 Hotel, Autograph Collection, Ho Chi Minh City. In addition to useful thematic content, the Conference also provides a platform to connect international investors with developers and provide the latest market insights.
“The MTE conference is not only a place to connect businesses and individuals in the hotel and real estate industry, but also promotes cooperation, providing in-depth perspectives to help investors, hotel owners and industry partners seize opportunities and prepare for the next market cycle,” Mr. Gasparotti emphasized.
Some featured topics at MTE HCMC 2025:
- Real estate business in Vietnam: Are there more profitable opportunities? (Hieu Do, CFA - CEO, VinaLiving)
- Wellness real estate trend in Vietnam: Healthy lifestyle (Khanh Nguyen - Director of Investment & Trade Vietnam, Gamuda Land)
- Vietnam residential real estate spotlight: 2025 trends & market tastes (Duong Bach - Country Director, PropertyGuru Vietnam)
- Discussion session on Vietnam resort market (Representatives from Accor Hotels Group, SonKim Land, Minor Hotels, Sovico Hospitality Group, Masterise Group, M Village, Fusion Hotel Group, Club Med)
- Real Estate Market Panel Discussion: Regional Capital Flows & Vietnam's Outlook (Representatives from Savills Vietnam, Lodgis Hospitality, Ares Management Corporation, Indochina Capital, Kusto Home (Vietnam), SC Capital Partners Pte Ltd, Group GSA)
- Global & Regional Hotel Market Update (Jesper Palmqvist - Vice President Asia, STR CoStar)
- Asia Hotel Industry Spotlight & Investment Opportunities (Mauro Gasparotti - Senior Director, Southeast Asia, Hotel Advisory, Savills Hotels/ Director, WeHub)
- Trends in luxury integrated resort development: Lessons from Anantara Layan Phuket Resort (Yasin Munshi - Vice President of APAC Regional Development, Minor Hotels)
- Branded Residences & the ultra-luxury housing segment: An investor's perspective (Otto Twist - Regional Director, Southeast Asia, Residential Sales, Savills Singapore)
In addition to the conference program, MTE HCMC 2025 also brings experiences of the latest hotel technology and unique cuisine, HoSkar Night networking event, and other diverse activities within the program framework. MTE HCMC 2025 will bring attendees sharing, updating market information and maintaining and expanding business opportunities in the industry.
