The central urban core: A hub of heritage and creativity

The central urban space serves as the convergence point for heritage, arts, and innovation. This zone is the focal point for developing products such as city tours, MICE tourism, a vibrant nightlife, exhibition spaces, and distinctive cultural experiences. Here, visitors can explore pedestrian-friendly streets, museums, theaters, premium shopping districts, and architectural landmarks that bear the marks of both history and modernity. The city’s traditional center will continue to anchor and lead this experiential space.

The riverine and eco-industrial transition zone

Continuing along the experiential axis is the riverine and eco-industrial space, which is being repositioned as a transitional zone between the metropolis and the sea. With its network of interwoven rivers and canals, alongside clusters of craft villages, farms, modern factories, and industrial parks, this area is ideal for developing waterway tourism, industrial tourism, educational excursions, weekend getaways, and community-based tourism. The northwestern and northern parts of the city are emerging as new engines for this product line.

The coastal resort sanctuary

The third space is the coastal resort region, featuring high-potential destinations like Long Hai, Ho Tram, Binh Chau, and Con Dao. This zone boasts beautiful beaches, a mild climate, rich natural landscapes, and a sense of seclusion, making it perfect for developing wellness retreats, beach holidays, golf courses, coastal spiritual tourism, and nature exploration. In the future, this region is set to play a pivotal role in providing high-end tourism products, catering to a segment of high-spending international tourists with a demand for quality experiences.

A strategy of seamless integration

This development along an integrated spatial axis allows Ho Chi Minh City to transcend the limitations of its former administrative boundaries. Strategic connection corridors, such as the expressway system, coastal roads, and major riverways, act as vital conduits, facilitating smooth travel for tourists between the different zones and their unique offerings. This forms the foundation for the tourism industry to achieve a balanced development in terms of visitor numbers, quality of experience, and spatial distribution.

Looking ahead: A unified vision

Moving forward, the city’s Department of Tourism will continue to coordinate with all regions to re-plan destination clusters and invest in upgrading products to be more interconnected, specialized, and culturally distinct. This will be paralleled by promotional and marketing solutions that focus on these experiential corridors rather than on geographical borders. The establishment of three clearly defined tourism spaces will enable businesses to operate more effectively, provide tourists with a more coherent journey, and ensure that local communities share the benefits more harmoniously.

With its integrated approach and a vision for in-depth tourism development, the new Ho Chi Minh City is demonstrating a clear transformation, poised to become a multi-centered, dynamic, and sustainable tourism hub in its next phase of growth.