After its administrative expansion, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) enters a new stage of development with clear advantages in space and tourism resources.

The merger of Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Binh Duong provinces with HCMC not only increases the new HCMC’s area and population but also facilitates the formation of a diverse tourism ecosystem—from modern urban centers and sea and islands to traditional culture and industrial zones. This provides a crucial foundation for HCMC to promote MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism—a segment rich in potential but not yet effectively leveraged.

Speaking with Lao Dong Newspaper, Ms. Huynh Phan Phuong Hoang, Deputy CEO of Vietravel Tourism Company, noted that after the administrative expansion, HCMC will not only have the image of a modern metropolis but also that of a coastal, industrial, and cultural city. These are exceptional factors for developing MICE tourism.

“We expect that HCMC can become the largest MICE tourism center in the Southeast region in the future. This is also the shared desire of many businesses in the HCMC Tourism Association,” Ms. Hoang stated.

However, to realize this, Ms. Hoang emphasized that the city needs to promptly establish a legal framework and support policies for the MICE customer segment, similar to what many other countries in the region have done.

For instance, South Korea has detailed support policies for each delegation based on its size, from 50, 100, and 500 up to 1,000 guests. Each level has appropriate incentive mechanisms.

Furthermore, the issue of visas is also a barrier that needs to be dismantled, especially for large delegations coming to HCMC in particular and Vietnam in general.

Regarding development potential, Vietravel has organized many MICE delegations in HCMC, especially from other provinces and cities. However, the number of international MICE groups coming to HCMC is still not high. International guests often choose destinations like Da Nang or Hanoi.

“The administrative merger creates conditions to extend the length of stay for visitors and expand the space for organizing events. The challenge now is to calculate how to reasonably organize events in the central area while expanding to other destinations like the former Vung Tau and Binh Duong. With close coordination and unified policies, HCMC can certainly become a leading destination for domestic and international MICE travelers,” Ms. Hoang shared.

In fact, the former HCMC has made its mark on the regional and global MICE map for many years. For example, HCMC was honored at the World MICE Awards 2024 with the title of “Asia’s Leading MICE Destination,” marking the fifth consecutive year it has held this position.

However, awards and achievements are just the initial foundation. To maintain its appeal and elevate its status, HCMC needs to boost investment, creativity, and proactively remove bottlenecks in attracting visitors, especially from the international segment.

The HCMC Department of Tourism stated that the new HCMC, with its diverse resources, large market, and complete infrastructure, is facing an opportunity for a strong transformation. This will allow it to become a multi-center, modern, and sustainable tourism hub for the country and the region.

HCMC aims to become a leading tourism center in Southeast Asia by 2030, a place that not only attracts tourists but also inspires and drives innovation for Vietnam’s tourism industry.

According to the City Pulse 2025 survey, HCMC ranked 2nd among 65 global cities for the best resident retention. This ranking can also be seen as an advantage in positioning HCMC as a “stay long, work effectively” destination in its MICE tourism promotion strategy.

Thanh Chan/Du lich Plus – Lao Dong Newspaper