Ho Chi Minh City: Bustling tourism market

Effective market connection

With an 8-day, 7-night trip (from March 17th to 25th) in Vietnam, the first group of 16 Chinese tourists arrived in Ho Chi Minh City. According to the itinerary, after visiting famous tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, the group continued to experience several destinations in other provinces and cities.

Mr. Le Hong Tu, Director of BT Tour Community Tourism and Event Organization Company Limited, said that the return of Chinese tourists is one of the positive signs, supporting the recovery and development of the international tourism market for the tourism industry in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular. To seize opportunities in the international tourist market as countries gradually reopen, specifically the Chinese market, tourism companies must be prepared with products, services, and immigration procedures in order to effectively exploit and connect with the market.

Observations in Ho Chi Minh City show that most travel companies, tour operators, and accommodation establishments have been actively launching tours connecting the Vietnamese and Chinese tourism markets. Among them, PSY Travel has reopened its 6-day, 5-night Ho Chi Minh City - Zhangjiajie - Fenghuang Ancient Town tour, priced from 16,650,000 VND; and a 5-day, 4-night tour from 14,650,000 VND. Golden Holiday, in addition to offering tours for Chinese tourists, also provides simplified immigration procedures requiring only photos and passports. Golden Holiday's China tours depart weekly, with flexible schedules suitable for most domestic and international tourists.

According to the business community in Ho Chi Minh City, it is expected that more Chinese tourist groups will arrive in Ho Chi Minh City in March 2023, and April 2023 could be the peak period marking the return of Chinese tourists to the Vietnamese market. Conversely, the number of Chinese tourists traveling abroad will also start to increase, contributing to stimulating tourism demand between the two countries in the coming period.

The business community based these forecasts on the huge demand for tourism from Chinese tourists after about three years of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, with Vietnam being one of the favorite destinations for people from that country. In addition, to anticipate market trends and effectively connect the tourism markets of Vietnam and China, the Vietnamese business community has invested in and developed high-quality products and services with a clear focus on each tourist segment.

Promoting tourism

In collaboration with the business community, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, in coordination with the People's Committee of Zhangjiajie City and Vietnam Global International Travel Group Joint Stock Company, recently organized a conference to promote cultural tourism in Zhangjiajie City (Hunan Province, China). At the conference, Ms. Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, assessed that China is one of the key markets for the city's tourism industry.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese tourists ranked third among international visitors to Ho Chi Minh City with 1.2 million arrivals (in 2019), accounting for 20% of the total number of Chinese tourists to Vietnam. In the first three months of 2023 alone, the number of Chinese tourists to Ho Chi Minh City reached approximately 49,000. Ho Chi Minh City's tourism industry consistently facilitates and promotes cooperation in the tourism sector between Vietnam and China in general, and between Ho Chi Minh City and China in particular.

"Zhangjiajie City (Hunan Province, China) is a destination rich in tourism resources, folk culture, and tourism services... and has become an attractive destination for international tourists, including tourists from Ho Chi Minh City. Therefore, the Ho Chi Minh City tourism industry hopes that the Zhangjiajie city government and Chinese tourism companies will strengthen tourism promotion between the two sides. For example, Chinese tourism companies could participate in the Ho Chi Minh City International Tourism Fair 2023, which will take place in September, or diversify tourism promotion and marketing activities both domestically and internationally for Ho Chi Minh City," added Ms. Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu.

Sharing the same view, Mr. Wang Tao, Vice Mayor of the People's Government of Zhangjiajie City, believes that promoting tourism and culture in Ho Chi Minh City is a crucial foundation at this time, aiming to promote cooperation in developing tourism products that suit the tastes of tourists from both sides. Zhangjiajie City's strengths include its World Natural Heritage site, World Geopark, national forest park, ancient cultural sites, and modern architecture, which have attracted many tourists in recent years. The Zhangjiajie City government hopes that through tourism and cultural promotion events, more two-way tourist groups will be attracted between Vietnam and China, thereby reactivating the "smoke-free industry" for both countries.

Regarding import and export activities, a representative from the Chinese Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City informed that, starting March 15, 2023, China included Vietnam in the second group of countries participating in the pilot program to resume outbound tourism. The Chinese Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City has begun accepting applications for tourist visas for both group and individual travelers. Tourists traveling to China are required to present proof of having received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and undergo a rapid COVID-19 test before departure.

Currently, international tourists visiting Zhangjiajie are still required to undergo rapid COVID-19 testing before departure. Upon entering China, international tourists are again randomly selected for rapid testing. Some travel companies have suggested that Chinese tourism and cultural promotion agencies should promptly remove barriers related to rapid COVID-19 testing and create more favorable conditions regarding visa policies... in order to bring tourists to the country sooner. On the business side, efforts are being intensified to connect markets by addressing issues related to tour pricing, passenger transportation, health and safety standards, and length of stay.

Bi Le