International tourists visit Ho Chi Minh City's downtown area by double-decker bus. (Photo: VNA)

The city received awards for Asia’s Leading Business Travel Destination and Asia’s Leading Festival and Event Destination for the fourth consecutive year. Additionally, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism was recognised as Asia’s Leading City Tourist Board for the third year in a row. Vung Tau was awarded the title of Asia’s Leading Coastal City Break Destination

The recognition highlights the city’s growing international appeal and innovation in tourism development. From 2020 to 2025, its tourism sector has undergone a significant transformation, focusing on product quality, service standards, and a strong city branding strategy that has garnered multiple global honours.

The city has also become a key host for major international events such as the Tourism Promotion Organisation for Global Cities (TPO) General Assembly.

As one of Viet Nam’s leading economic pillars, tourism has been central to Ho Chi Minh City’s growth strategy. The city has revitalised its tourism offerings, introduced new tours and routes, and enhanced existing sojourns. Notable annual events such as the Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo (ITE HCMC), the Ao Dai Festival, the River Festival, and the Ho Chi Minh City Marathon have successfully linked Viet Nam’s tourism with regional and global markets.

The 2024 Ho Chi Minh City River Festival brought further international acclaim, winning two gold awards at the 2025 International Business Awards in Portugal for Art, Entertainment and Public Festival and Cultural Event. This marked a rare double win for a Vietnamese event on the global stage.

In addition, the city’s campaign “Find Your Vibes” won the TPO Best Tourism Marketing Award 2025, underscoring its creative approach to destination promotion.

Beyond tourism, the city was ranked second globally among cities with the highest resident retention rate, surpassing Singapore, Sydney, and Berlin, according to the City Pulse 2025 survey by the US-based Gensler Research Institute.