Positive signs

In the first 6 months of 2024, Vietnam welcomed over 8.8 million foreign tourists, marking a 58.4% increase compared to the same period in 2023 and a 4.1% increase over the same period in 2019. Additionally, domestic visitors exceeded 66.5 million. The total tourism revenue during this time is estimated to be around 436.5 trillion VND.

In the first 6 months of 2024, the Mekong Delta region welcomed nearly 30 million visitors, showing an 11% increase over the same period in 2023. International visitors to the region surpassed 1.3 million, marking a 38.7% increase. The total tourism revenue in this region exceeded 34.871 trillion VND. Notably, Kien Giang saw nearly 5.5 million visitors, marking an 11% increase over the same period, with over 508,000 international visitors. The total revenue from tourism in Kien Giang reached nearly 13.4 trillion VND, reflecting a 27.7% increase. Dong Thap also experienced significant growth, welcoming over 2.5 million visitors in the first 6 months of 2024, showing a 22.4% increase over the same period in 2023, and generating about 1.25 trillion VND in tourism revenue, reflecting a 21.8% increase. This growth is attributed to changes in visa policy, constant investment in tourism products, improved service quality, and the organization of various tourism promotion events, including the 2^nd Lotus Festival, Sa Dec Flower and Ornamental Festival, and Dinh Yen "Ghost Market" tableau in Dong Thap, as well as the Phu Quoc tourism week and Phu Quoc famtrip groups in Kien Giang.

More than 3.7 million tourists visited Can Tho in the first 6 months of 2024, marking a 5% increase over the same period. The total revenue from tourism is estimated to be over 3,300 billion VND, showing an 11% increase over the previous year. Can Tho has organized several events to attract tourists, such as the Southern Folk Cake Festival, Hung Kings' Commemoration Day, and Can Tho Music Night Run. Additionally, there have been continuous investments in infrastructure and the development of new tourism products, including the operation of large, modern hotels like Charmant Suite & Boutique Hotel Can Tho and Wink Hotel Can Tho. Many tourist areas and gardens have expanded and diversified their services, such as My Khanh Tourist Village, Con Son Agricultural Tourism Cooperative, Can Tho Eco Resort, and Mekong Silt Ecolodge.

Hope for a breakthrough at the end of the year

Le Dinh Minh Thy, Director of Vietravel Can Tho, stated that the tourism industry in the Mekong Delta and Can Tho is thriving based on the number of visitors and revenue data. This positive outlook sets the stage for tourism businesses and travel agencies to anticipate a strong tourist season in the last half of 2024. Vietravel Can Tho expects a 20-30% growth in tourist arrivals compared to the same period in 2023, with a goal to exceed 20% growth from 2019.

The recovery of the tourism sector in the Mekong Delta, particularly in Can Tho, is attributed to revamped products, diversified services, domestic and regional connections, and increased investments. Several localities have developed unique tours, such as Dong Thap's Flower and Ornamental Festival, Dinh Yen "Ghost Market", and Vinh Long's pottery village. Can Tho, on the other hand, emphasizes its infrastructure and investment in MICE tourism. Currently, Can Tho City boasts 638 accommodation establishments with over 11,000 rooms.

Pham Thi Thanh, Director of TTC Can Tho Hotel, reported that in the first half of 2024, their room capacity reached about 73%, and total revenue increased by over 19% compared to the same period last year. The hotel currently has nearly 5,000 room nights, the majority of which are inbound guests, focusing primarily on the fourth quarter of 2024.

In 2024, Can Tho is expected to welcome 6.1 million visitors, with approximately 3.1 million guest stays. Total revenue from tourism is estimated to be about 6,000 billion VND. Can Tho focuses on several key tasks for the near future, such as creating specific tourist routes and unique tourism products, investing in developing the night-time economy associated with tourism, and mobilizing investment resources to support tourism development. The city also aims to enhance collaboration with key tourism localities to form inter-regional tourist routes and diversify destinations, promote digital transformation in the tourism sector, and improve the quality of human resources through training.

Le Dinh Minh Thy, Director of Vietravel Can Tho, mentioned that in the upcoming 6 months, they will launch products suitable for the market to meet the diverse needs of tourists. Among these products will be autumn offerings and those associated with local culture and intra-regional links. Some tourist spots and areas including My Khanh Tourist Village, Son Son Agricultural Tourism Cooperative, Can Tho Eco Resort, and Tuan Tuong eco-tourism garden, are implementing various tourism products and services to cater to tourists during the year-end season. This indicates a positive outlook for the development of diverse tourism products in Can Tho, paving the way for a breakthrough by the end of 2024.