Ho Chi Minh City aims to welcome 6 million foreign visitors in the coming year, with an estimated expenditure of around VND190 trillion (US$7.8 billion), as revealed by the municipal Department of Tourism. The city is anticipating an influx of tourists from South Korea, Japan, India, and China, fueled by stable political-economic conditions and the robust recovery of the tourism and related industries.

As of October, the city had already hosted over 4.1 million foreign visitors, achieving 82% of its annual target. With the peak international travel season approaching, the goal for the entire year is to serve 5 million international tourists in 2023.

Leading tour operators like Saigontourist, Vietravel, and TST Tourist report strong demand for tours exploring Ho Chi Minh City and connecting the city with nearby regions during year-end festivals.

To further boost tourism, the tourism department will organize the third HCMC Tourism Week in early December. This event aims to stimulate both international and domestic tourism demand, providing an opportunity for travel firms to showcase their offerings for 2024. The week will feature various products, including the Nha Be night tour and healthcare and wellness tourism.

Despite the positive outlook, challenges remain, such as slow and time-consuming visa approval processes. The city is currently providing visa exemption for only 25 countries, a significantly smaller number compared to regional counterparts like Indonesia (169), the Philippines (166), Malaysia (156), and Singapore (150). The tourism department recommends the Immigration Department expedite visa application processing for travel firms.

In addition, efforts will be intensified to promote tourism in foreign markets and enhance local tourism offerings to ensure a more enriching experience for visitors.