On February 12, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism announced that the Lunar New Year holiday in 2024 (Year of the Rat) from February 8 to 14 has brought many positive signals for the tourism industry this year.
Foreign tourists visiting Ho Chi Minh City have increased by more than 15% compared to the same period in 2023, reaching an estimated 75,000 visitors. This includes high-end cruise ship tourists from Europe, America, Australia, Japan, as well as independent travelers.
The number of visitors to tourist attractions and entertainment services is estimated at around 1.8 million, a 5.9% increase compared to the same period last year. This demonstrates the attraction and acceptance of tourists for new tourism products developed by local businesses in recent years.
The expected tourism revenue is about 6,550 billion VND, a 4% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This is an encouraging sign for the recovery of the tourism industry.
Foreign tourists visiting Ho Chi Minh City during the Lunar New Year have increased compared to the same period in 2023.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, the preparations for the Lunar New Year have been actively carried out, and the long holiday period is an important factor in boosting the strong increase in the number of tourists.
Based on the situation gathered from tourism businesses, travel companies have launched a series of tourism products with competitive prices specifically for the Lunar New Year starting from December 2023, attracting tourists.
Some of the featured tourism products include camping tours, eco-tours focusing on tree planting, high-end resort vacations combined with health training programs, sports activities, meditation, as well as traditional Tet tours.
In addition, hotels in Ho Chi Minh City have also introduced promotional programs such as 20-30% discounts on services such as bars and spas, 25% discounts on airport transfers, and 20-25% discounts on room rates.
Standard shopping establishments and restaurants have organized various activities to celebrate the New Year, including decorating both the interior and exterior areas, as well as offering discounts of 15-20%.
Leading travel companies have stated that the long Lunar New Year holiday has resulted in a significant increase in the number of tourists compared to the 2024 Western New Year holiday. The preferred destinations for tourists during this Lunar New Year include Phu Quoc, Dalat, Phan Thiet, Nha Trang, Da Nang, and provinces in the northern region.
Tourists usually travel in small groups, with family or friends, creating a lively and warm atmosphere. Luxury resort tours and free & easy tours (including flight tickets and high-end hotel accommodation) are popular, reflecting the trend of modern tourists’ preference for personalized relaxation and experiences.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, relaxed visa policies and entry procedures have created favorable conditions for foreign tourists to come to Vietnam. During the Lunar New Year of the Rat, the number of foreign tourists visiting Ho Chi Minh City has increased, especially high-end cruise ship tourists from Europe, America, Australia, Japan, as well as independent travelers.
“The festive activities during the Lunar New Year holiday are not only a traditional celebration but also an opportunity for tourists to experience the culture and beauty of Ho Chi Minh City in an impressive and memorable way. This is also an important step in the recovery and development journey of the city’s tourism industry,” said a representative of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism.
