Ho Chi Minh City Attracts Over 62,000 International Tourists During National Day Holiday

During the National Day holiday in Vietnam (September 2nd), Ho Chi Minh City attracted a significant number of domestic and international tourists, contributing to economic vitality. According to a report from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, approximately 62,000 international visitors arrived during the five-day holiday period (August 29th - September 2nd), alongside 1.65 million domestic travelers. Total tourism revenue for this period is estimated at around 4.9 trillion VND (approximately $200 million). Accommodation facilities served an estimated 182,500 guests, with an average room occupancy rate projected at around 61% city-wide. The city organized various cultural, artistic, and entertainment activities to foster a festive atmosphere celebrating the 81st anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day. In the city center, hotels and tourism service providers actively implemented promotional offers, while shopping malls and supermarkets launched sales and promotions to stimulate consumer spending. Historical sites such as the War Remnants Museum, Ton Duc Thang Museum, and the Reunification Palace remained popular attractions. Fireworks displays at seven locations on the evening of September 2nd illuminated National Day, creating a strong ripple effect on accommodation, dining, entertainment, and transportation services. Binh Duong province was one of the few locations for large-scale fireworks, signifying the expansion of festival spaces after consolidation. Vung Tau city, a coastal tourist destination, also attracted many visitors by leveraging its diverse accommodation, dining, entertainment services, and capacity for large-scale events. In the first two days of the holiday, Vung Tau's beaches saw approximately 71,000 visitors, with around 55,000 on August 30th alone, a nearly 3.5-fold increase compared to the previous day. Con Dao island also experienced a 52.69% increase in tourist arrivals compared to the same period last year, with international visitors up by 60.71%. This positive outcome was largely attributed to the "Con Dao Spirit HTV-BCONS 2026" marathon, which drew nearly 2,000 domestic and international athletes, along with accompanying events and memorial activities. This year's holiday featured a range of tourism products, including City Tours, Vespa Tours, Cholon (Chinatown) cultural experience tours, city exploration using double-decker buses and Saigon Waterbus, and tours to Binh Duong province for traditional craft experiences and Vung Tau for hot springs and primeval forests. Furthermore, districts like Ben Thanh introduced characteristic tourism products such as "Ben Thanh Ward - Heritage in Every Corner," connecting sites like Ben Thanh Market and the Metro station. Vung Tau and Tam Thang wards capitalized on their coastal tourism advantages, while Lai Thieu ward focused on developing characteristic tourism models linked to service economy growth by leveraging its riverside scenery and fruit orchards. These initiatives align with Vietnam's national strategy to boost domestic economic growth, particularly in the service and tourism sectors, under its one-party system. Vietnam's economy has seen remarkable growth in recent years, with tourism serving as a key driver. Amidst complex relations with China, Vietnam aims for economic advancement and enhanced international standing, making tourism promotion a crucial element. Source: Nhan Dan