Saturday, May 9, 2026, 17:06 GMT+7

Ho Chi Minh City tourism revenue tops $6.5bn in 2026's first 4 months

Ho Chi Minh City recorded strong growth in tourism during the first four months of 2026, with surging domestic and international arrivals helping generate more than VND172 trillion (US$6.5 billion) in tourism revenue, fulfilling over 52 percent of the city’s annual target.

During the same period, international arrivals to the city were estimated at 4.78 million, while domestic tourist numbers reached around 19.2 million.

Specifically, during the extended holiday period marking the Hung Kings Commemoration Day, Reunification Day on April 30, and International Workers' Day on May 1, from April 25 to May 3, the city welcomed an estimated 190,000 international visitors and 1.5 million domestic travelers, generating around VND8.7 trillion ($330 million) in tourism revenue.

The city also welcomed a MICE tourism delegation of nearly 890 visitors from Indonesia, who stayed at various hotels across the city from May 1 to 9, further highlighting the city’s attractiveness as a destination for meetings and conferences.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism on Saturday said the tourism sector continued to be one of the bright spots of the local economy.

At a recent conference reviewing the city’s socio-economic performance in April and the first four months of 2026, leaders of the municipal People’s Committee praised efforts to revive the tourism market, launch promotional campaigns, and develop new tourism products.

These efforts had contributed to economic and service-sector growth while promoting the image of Ho Chi Minh City as a dynamic, friendly, and safe destination for both domestic and international visitors.

Nearly 1,000 new tourism products, services launched

This year, the city’s tourism sector has continued rolling out stimulus programs and refreshing visitor experiences through the launch of nearly 1,000 new tourism products and services.

The Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival 2026 from April 2 to 5 alone generated estimated revenue of more than VND120 billion ($4.5 million) from tour packages, tourism products, and related services.

Several nighttime tourism products have continued attracting visitors, including the “Moon over the Resistance Base” night tour at the Cu Chi Tunnels, the “Retro Rides Saigon by Night” experience, and the Cho Lon Night Tour, which is being upgraded to further promote the nighttime cultural and economic value of the city’s Cho Lon area.

Meanwhile, the helicopter tour to view Ho Chi Minh City from above has received positive initial feedback, especially from international visitors.

The Department of Tourism said it would continue focusing on community-based tourism, eco-tourism, and nighttime economic activities, while stepping up tourism promotion efforts and preparing for major upcoming events, including the Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon 2026 and the International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City 2026.

Efforts to maintain clean and safe beaches

Authorities have also been addressing environmental issues in the Ba Ria - Vung Tau area, where oil slicks, tar residues, marine waste, and large amounts of seaweed washing ashore have recently impacted tourist activities and visitor experiences.

Following directions from city leaders, the Department of Tourism said it had coordinated with local authorities and environmental agencies to closely monitor the situation and implement cleanup and waste collection measures.

Authorities have also strengthened inspections and environmental monitoring to control pollution sources, minimize impacts on tourism activities, and ensure coastal areas remain clean, and safe for residents and visitors.