Last July, the delegation of the Ministry of Tourism (Cambodia) had a working session with Hoa Hao - Medic Can Tho General Hospital, to exchange investment cooperation in the fields of health and tourism. Currently, Hoa Hao - Medic Can Tho General Hospital has a medical examination and treatment program combined with convalescence. Thus, for a 2-day trip, customers can choose packages for medical examination and screening. This hospital will send doctors and technicians to the hotel to consult and take samples for testing. At the same time, customers can visit the destinations of Can Tho city namely My Khanh tourist village, Cai Rang floating market, experience night cruises at a suitable time. On the other hand, Hoa Hao - Medic Can Tho General Hospital also cooperates with Vietravel to organize a medical examination and relaxation program with a 5-day itinerary. Including 2 days of sightseeing and medical examination in Can Tho, before moving on to Phu Quoc (Kien Giang province). Ms. Le Dinh Minh Thy, Director of Vietravel Can Tho, said: “This medical examination and treatment program combined with convalescence built by branch in Long Xuyen. We usually pick up guests at Khanh Binh border gate, Chau Doc and take them to Can Tho city for medical examination and treatment. This is the combined route between An Giang, Can Tho and Kien Giang”.

Major General Vu Cao Quan, former Commander of the Military Command of Can Tho city, a member of the Hoa Hao - Medic Can Tho General Hospital board, shared that in the future, in addition to investing in more modern facilities and equipment, the Center for the hospital's high-tech medical diagnosis and treatment will develop more medical examination and tourism models combined with investment in 5-star luxury resorts.

Mr. Tan Yavaroath, Deputy Director General of the General Department of Trade Promotion of Cambodia, said that through the survey, the delegation found that the hospital's modern medical technology system is adapted to the needs of the Cambodian people and expects the two sides long-term cooperation.

Mr. Tan Yavaroath also suggested that local authorities create favorable border and visa conditions, mechanisms and policies for Cambodians to travel and receive medical care. At the same time, he also wants Hoa Hao - Medic Can Tho General Hospital to establish more branches in Cambodia, pay attention to building translation teams, connect with travel agencies to arrange medical examinations and treatment visits combined with tourism.

Talking on the sidelines at a conference to promote Cambodia's tourism promotion in Can Tho, Dr. Thok Sokhom, Under Secretary of State Ministry of Tourism, Kingdom of Cambodia, said: "Throughout my days in Can Tho, I think this is the livable city with developed infrastructure in many aspects. In specific, we are most interested in commercial establishments and medical services. We are very interested in the type of tourism combined with medical examination and treatment here. After Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho city is the destination we are most interested in because of the convenient transportation infrastructure. It is known that there is a very developed medical system here and we also expect Can Tho to pay more attention to developing the type of tourism combined with medical examination and treatment”.

Currently, Cambodia is investing a lot in transport infrastructure to develop tourism. Specifically, a connecting flight route from Cambodia to Can Tho city is expected to be open in the near future (Siem Reap - Can Tho, or Sihanoukville - Can Tho).

Mr. Nguyen Hong Hieu, Director of Hong Hieu Tourism Trading Service Company Limited, said: “The Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia choosing Can Tho as a promotional destination this time is a special event. This will create a connection for MICE tourism and medical tourism. These two types of tourism are both attractive in terms of high-paying and long-stay visitors. Can Tho city has the strength in these types of tourism over other localities in the Mekong Delta. The infrastructure of Can Tho city meets the needs of tourists not only domestically but also internationally. On the basis of attracting more tourists to Can Tho, we are working with a number of neighboring provinces to create effective online tours”. Ms. Le Dinh Minh Thy, Director of Vietravel Can Tho, also said: “Can Tho city has strengths in MICE tourism with a diverse system of restaurants and hotels, especially 3-5 stars hotel chains. It also has air routes connecting to key tourism provinces and cities across the country. However, in order to develop this type of tourism better, Can Tho city should have more focused investment”.

Currently, Can Tho city has more than 600 accommodation establishments with more than 11,000 rooms. 1/3 of them are hotels from 1-star to 5-star. Can Tho International Airport currently has 4 airlines operating regular flights with an average frequency of 20-21 flights/day to key provinces and cities, such as Hanoi, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Hai Phong, Khanh Hoa, Thanh Hoa, etc. Besides, there are also international routes connecting to Thailand, Malaysia... Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuan, Deputy Director in charge of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Can Tho city, said: “The tourism industry is now interested in extending the length of stay and increasing tourists’ spending. On the basis of the city's tourism potential, we are also working on solutions and orientations to develop suitable tourism types”.

MICE tourism and tourism combined with medical examination and treatment are considered Can Tho’s strengths, so there is a need for long-term investment attention.