Mekong Delta region seeks to revive tourism industry
The tourism industry in general and accommodation service businesses in the Mekong Delta are struggling to maintain operations as the number of visitors to regional provinces and cities has decreased rapidly in recent months due to complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Mekong Delta has rich tourism resources, with over 28,000 km of canals, a diverse ecosystem, and unique cultural values. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The tourism industry in general and accommodation service businesses in the Mekong Delta are struggling to maintain operations as the number of visitors to regional provinces and cities has decreased rapidly in recent months due to complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even in localities with many attractive destinations that lure a large number of tourists each year such as Dong Thap has also recorded a significant drop in tourist arrivals.
According to the local tourism sector, Dong Thap welcomed about 600,000 visitors in the first quarter of 2021, down 27.4 percent from the same period in 2020. It raked in only 100 billion VND (over 4.38 million USD) in revenue from tourism in the period, down 28.6 percent year-on-year.
Statistics show that the Mekong Delta is home to about 2,490 accommodation establishments.
Experts believed that it is now time to re-evaluate tourism activities, make plans and prepare long and medium-term strategies to promote tourism development in the coming time.
The Mekong Delta, which was identified as one of the seven tourist regions of the country, has rich tourism resources, with over 28,000 km of canals, a diverse ecosystem, and unique cultural values. It boasts great potential to become an important resort destination in the southern region.
Experts said that attention should be paid to tapping the strengths to develop tourism forms, such as ecotourism, resort, sea and island tourism, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) tourism, culture-history tourism, spiritual tourism, and agriculture and community-based tourism.
The region needs to focus on diversifying tourism products which can exploit its advantages such as eco-resort tourism associated with health care, agriculture and outdoor activities, they noted.
Last year, localities in the Mekong Delta region served only 28.5 million visitors, ear🍸ning 21.88 trillion VND, down 38.4 percent and 50 percent year-on-year, respectively./.
Authorities in the southernmost province of Ca Mau have exerted every effort to promote direct connections with trade and investment associations and organisations of countries investing strongly in Vietnam and the Mekong Delta region, according to Director of the Ca Mau Investment Promotion and Enterprise Support Centre (iPEC) Quach Van An.
Dong Thap province has developed nearly 100 community-based tourism sites to date and become the third-most attractive locality in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region.
The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho has launched a project on green tourism at the Cai Rang Floating Market, one of the most-visited destinations in the region.
Vietnamese and foreign experts and scientists gathered at a conference in Can Tho city on March 31 to seek solutions to boost sustainable development in the Mekong Delta region amid climate change.
Investment in transport infrastructure in the Mekong Delta is key to boosting exports of local agricultural and seafood products, according to experts.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
The Mekong Delta has rich tourism resources, with over 28,000 km of canals, a diverse ecosystem, and unique cultural values. (Photo: VNA)
