A view of Bai Sau Beach in HCM City’s Vung Tau ward. (Photo: VNA)

According to the city's Department of Tourism, expanded HCM City now boasts a long and continuous coastline stretching from Can Gio to Vung Tau, encompassing the scenic Ganh Rai Bay.

Once limited to the mangrove forests of Can Gio, the city’s marine tourism portfolio now covers nearly 100 kilometres of sandy beaches from Vung Tau to Long Hai, Ho Tram, Binh Chau, and Con Dao Island.

Natural reserves such as the Binh Chau–Phuoc Buu Nature Reserve and Con Dao National Park offer significant potential for eco-tourism, forest exploration and educational activities.

The area currently welcomes over 16 million visitors each year and provides about 28,520 accommodation rooms, including 12 five-star hotels and resorts.

Vo Thanh My, Vice Chairman of the HCM City Tourism Association, said the geographic merger would allow for a unified development strategy.

“This coastal megacity can now consolidate its resources and direct investments toward key priorities more effectively”, he said.

Sustainable tourism vision

Ba Ria-Vung Tau, long known for its beach resorts, is expanding into eco-tourism, cultural–spiritual experiences and marine sports. Large-scale resort and entertainment projects are also under construction, driving sustainable and high-quality growth.

To support this transformation, major infrastructure works are being accelerated, including the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway, Vung Tau-Long Hai-Binh Chau coastal road, and Phuoc An Bridge. The city’s own projects, such as Ring Road 4 and the Long Thanh-Ho Tram Expressway will further enhance connectivity.

Several luxury resorts are already operational, including The Grand Ho Tram, Six Senses Con Dao, Lan Rung, Le Palmier Ho Tram, and Melia Ho Tram.

Nguyen Thai Binh, General Director of Kim Sa Travel, which manages the Le Palmier Ho Tram Resort, said that once the new expressways and Long Thành International Airport are operational, “Ho Tram will attract a massive influx of domestic and international tourists”.

Following the mergence, expanded HCM City now has a population of over 13.6 million and a combined GRDP estimated at 3 quadrillion VND (120 billion USD), making it the country’s largest domestic tourism market, thus giving marine tourism new momentum.

At the groundbreaking ceremony for the Five Star Odyssey and Five Star Poseidon condo-hotel complexes worth more than 10 trillion VND (380 million USD) in Vung Tau, Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, said new HCM City would attract large-scale investment projects and fresh opportunities once key infrastructure is completed.

Rising coastal potential

With its strong economy, vast domestic market and rapidly improving infrastructure, HCM City is setting its sights on becoming an international-class marine tourism hub along its eastern coast.

To realise this vision, the city's Department of Tourism has coordinated with travel businesses to develop 15 new tourism programmes featuring traditional craft villages, mangrove eco-tours, and marine and island exploration.

Tran Dinh Huy, General Director of Bac Trung Nam Ban Viet Travel, said marine tourism would perfectly complement the city’s urban tourism map, offering diverse experiences to both local and foreign travellers.

Le Hong Tu, Director of BT Tour, said his company was developing a new route centred on Vung Tau and Ho Tram, with specialised products such as golf and nature retreats.

In Vung Tau, a major facelift is underway with the Thuy Van Boulevard redevelopment project, set for completion in 2025, creating a modern and unified resort zone at Bai Sau (Back Beach).

Recently, Vung Tau was named Asia’s Leading Beach Destination 2025 by the World Travel Awards, recognising its improved infrastructure, luxury resorts and enhanced visitor experience. The recognition cements Vung Tau’s international reputation and encourages more high-end tourism investment.

Tran Thi Bich Van, Vice Chairwoman of the People’s Committee of Vung Tau ward, said local authorities were enhancing beach management and promoting a friendly, responsible tourism environment. “Every resident should act as a tourism ambassador”, she said.

With a long coastline, strong investment flow and a vast domestic market, newly enlarged HCM City stands on the verge of a major leap forward, transforming its eastern coast into one of Asia’s premier marine tourism centres over the coming years.