HCM City expects to become regional leading tourism hub
With abundant resources, a vast market, and complete infrastructure, Ho Chi Minh City is well-positioned to transform into a multi-destination, modern, and sustainable tourism hub, both nationally and regionally, according to the municipal Department of Tourism.
Following the recent administrative restructuring that merged the city with the neighbouring provinces of Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau, HCM City now boasts 681 potential tourist sites. With a population of over 14 million, it has become Vietnam’s largest intra-provincial tourism market, both in scale and in diversity, according to VNA.
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| Ho Chi Minh City expects to become a regional leading tourism hub. (Photo: VNA) |
According to the department, young workers favour short getaways, weekend retreats, and nightlife entertainment. Young families with children seek nature-based experiences, life skills education, traditional craft villages, farms, and museums. Middle-aged and older visitors tend to prefer cultural heritage tours, seaside relaxation, or wellness travel. Meanwhile, organisations, businesses, and schools consistently generate demand for MICE tourism, covering conferences, academic events, exhibitions, and thematic travel. This stable, high-spending domestic visitor base gives HCM City a significant competitive edge.
The local tourism sector is developing signature products organised around integrated experiential routes. Among the highlights is the "From the City to the Sea via the River" itinerary, which links the urban core with riverside ecological zones and coastal resorts. Another is the “Marine Culture” route, which redefines coastal destinations by spotlighting their spiritual, heritage, and ecological values. The city is also advancing themed products such as cuisine, night tourism, and traditional craft villages to personalize experiences for both domestic and international visitors.
In recent years, the city has also elevated the scale and positioning of its major tourism events. The Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo (ITE HCMC) continues to serve as a vital gateway to regional and global markets. Meanwhile, the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Week has been expanded to a regional scale and is now linked to new destinations and products. Other major events such as the Ho Chi Minh City River Festival, the Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon, and a series of cultural festivals have helped to redefine the city as a dynamic, creative, and culturally rich destination.
Under its strategic vision until 2030, HCM City aims to position itself not only as a regional premier tourist destination, but also as a source of inspiration and innovation for Vietnam’s broader tourism industry.
The municipal Department of Tourism is currently revising its development strategy to 2030, integrating newly acquired resources and defining the core values of the “Ho Chi Minh City Tourism” brand.
The city is also advancing institutional reforms and digital transformation across the sector. Inter-regional infrastructure, improved connectivity, and high-capacity facilities will enable HCM City to shape a unique tourism-economic space capable of hosting major international events in culture, sports, and education.
Vietnam backs ASEAN-New Zealand upgrade to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the ASEAN+1 foreign ministers’ meetings with China, Australia, Canada, India, and New Zealand in Kuala Lumpur on July 10.
Vietnam also co-chaired the ASEAN-New Zealand Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in its capacity as coordinator for ASEAN-New Zealand relations.
The meetings took place within the framework of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related events.
Participants commended the effective implementation of cooperation frameworks between ASEAN and its partners, particularly in areas such as trade, investment, sustainable development, smart agriculture, energy, education, tourism, innovation, and digital transformation. The partners reaffirmed their support for ASEAN’s centrality and pledged to assist in realizing the bloc’s strategic documents, including the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, and the ASEAN Power Grid initiative.
Co-chairing the ASEAN-New Zealand meeting, Deputy PM and FM Bui Thanh Son and New Zealand FM Winston Peters praised the longstanding and trusted partnership for common development between ASEAN and New Zealand.
Speaking on behalf of ASEAN countries, Son hailed the strong and substantive growth in the partnership over the past 50 years and supported elevating it to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership this year.
ASEAN welcomed New Zealand’s support in fields such as cybersecurity, maritime security, disaster relief, and transnational crime prevention. The bloc also welcomed the entry into force of the protocol amending the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), and called on New Zealand to continue supporting efforts to narrow development gaps, promote inclusive and sustainable growth, particularly in sub-regions like the Mekong, and enhance aviation connectivity and e-commerce.
In particular, ASEAN appreciated New Zealand’s commitment of over 329 million NZD (more than 198 million USD) to support regional programmes in climate resilience, renewable energy, smart agriculture, and disaster response.
Speaking at the meetings, Deputy PM and FM Bui Thanh Son emphasized the strategic importance of further strengthening ASEAN’s partnerships with its dialogue partners amid rapid, complex, and unpredictable developments in the region and globally.
Vietnam greatly valued the partners’ continued support for ASEAN’s centrality, their active engagement in ASEAN-led mechanisms, and their contributions to ASEAN Community building, reported VOV.
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| At the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with China in Kuala Lumpur on July 10 (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs) |
He also acknowledged the partners' efforts to upgrade, revise, and review free trade agreements such as the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0, the amended AANZFTA, the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), and the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement, which are crucial for promoting fair, inclusive, and adaptive trade in the evolving global economic landscape.
Vietnam called for enhanced support for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in digital trade, and advocated for stronger cooperation in green development, supply chain connectivity, and sub-regional development.
Son also underscored the need to beef up cooperation in addressing non-traditional security challenges, including climate change, food and energy security, natural disasters, and epidemics. He urged for deeper regional collaboration in education and people-to-people exchange.
In light of increasing geopolitical uncertainties, the Deputy PM stressed the importance of dialogue, consultation, and confidence building. He called on partners to continue backing ASEAN’s principled stance on regional and international issues, including the East Sea issue, to help ensure peace, stability, cooperation, and sustainable development in the region.
On the same day, ASEAN+1 foreign ministers' meetings were also held with Japan, Russia, the Republic of Korea, and the United States, alongside the ASEAN+3 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting involving Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea.
Heavy rains up to 300mm expected in Northern Vietnam, Hanoi to cool by 4°C
From July 10 to 12, Northern Vietnam could receive up to 300mm of rain, while Hanoi’s temperatures fall by 4°C before rising again mid-month.
From July 10 to 19, Northern Vietnam, including Hanoi, will experience intense weather changes due to a combination of a low-pressure trough and southwest monsoon winds, according to forecasts from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.
Rainy days ahead for the north
Between July 10 and 12, a low-pressure system forming over the north is expected to bring moderate to heavy rain, especially in mountainous areas, with rainfall totals ranging from 70mm to 150mm, and localized areas exceeding 300mm.
On July 10, Northern provinces from Thanh Hoa to Ha Tinh will experience scattered rain and thunderstorms, with localized rainfall of 10-30mm, and isolated spots receiving over 70mm.
From the evening of July 10 to the night of July 11, the region will see widespread moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms, with rainfall ranging from 40-90mm, and some areas exceeding 200mm. Meteorologists warn of rainfall intensity over 150mm within 3 hours.
On July 12, rain will persist in the north, ranging from 30-60mm, with isolated areas receiving over 100mm. This raises the total rainfall for the period to 70-150mm, with some locations possibly exceeding 300mm.
From July 13, rain will decrease in the Red River Delta but continue intermittently in the mountains, where localized storms may still occur, VNN reported.
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| Hanoi’s weather will see thunderstorms and a 4°C drop. Photo: Hoang Minh |
From Quang Tri to Lam Dong, expect sunny days and occasional afternoon showers between July 10–14, with widespread heat returning from July 15. The Central Highlands and Southern Vietnam will continue to see sunny mornings and scattered afternoon thunderstorms.
Hanoi weather: Cooler start, hot finish
Hanoi will see moderate to heavy rain from July 10 to 14, causing a noticeable temperature drop. Daily highs will range from 31–33°C (down from 35–37°C earlier in the month), and nighttime lows will hover around 25–27°C.
From July 15 to 19, Hanoi is expected to heat up again, with highs reaching 33–36°C and dry, sunny weather prevailing.
Detailed 3-day forecast for Hanoi (July 10–12):
July 10 (Day): Partly cloudy, evening thunderstorms, high of 31–33°C, humidity 68–73%, rain chance: 65–70%
Night: Cloudy with moderate rain, low of 26–28°C, humidity 90–95%, rain chance: 75–80%
July 11 (Day): Cloudy, showers at times, high of 30–32°C, humidity 68–73%, rain chance: 65–75%
Night: Cloudy, heavy rain, low of 25–27°C, humidity 90–95%, rain chance: 85–95%
July 12 (Day): Partly cloudy, occasional light rain, high of 29–31°C, humidity 65–70%, rain chance: 60–70%
Night: Cloudy with moderate rain, low of 25–27°C, humidity 80–90%, rain chance: 60–70%
Weather warnings
The meteorological agency warns that severe thunderstorms may bring lightning, hail, and strong gusts. Flash floods and landslides may occur in mountainous areas, while urban flooding is possible in low-lying regions.
Local authorities and residents are urged to stay alert and prepare in advance for potential extreme weather events.
Cross-border tourism, trade rebound at Huu Nghi int’l border gate
Cross-border tourism and trade through the Huu Nghi International Border Gate in northern Vietnam are showing a significant recovery, with passenger traffic rising by 16% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
Statistics show that over 1.24 million people have completed immigration procedures at the border gate since January, including more than 430,000 with passports (up 5.8%) and over 810,000 with travel permits (up 22.5%). Most travellers are Chinese and Vietnamese citizens crossing for tourism, family visits, or business purposes.
From early July, the border has seen steady and orderly movement between 7 am and 8 pm daily. Despite the high traffic, operations remain smooth, with passengers following designated lanes and receiving timely assistance from border guards.
Chinese traveller Hou Zhidan, returning home via the land route after visiting Vietnam by air, praised the clean, efficient, and professional environment at the border.
He noted that the procedures were quick and the officers were both helpful and proactive.
A key factor driving growth is the launch of a two-day, one-night cross-border tour between Lang Son (Vietnam) and Pingxiang (China) in April 2025, operated under a travel permit scheme. The tour has attracted large numbers of visitors interested in shopping and exploring the culture of the border region, cited VNA.
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| Passengers queue for handling immigration procedures at Huu Nghi International Border Gate in Lang Son province. (Photo: VNA) |
The border guard force has expanded the use of digital technologies to ensure accuracy and security while reducing waiting times. Customs officers have also reinforced screening measures using specialised equipment, such as baggage scanners and drug detectors, at both entry and exit points.
Lieutenant Colonel Doan Duy Tien, head of the Huu Nghi International Border Guard Station, noted that Huu Nghi border gate is one of the busiest land border crossings in Vietnam, with frequent traffic surges. To manage the volume, the unit works closely with Chinese authorities and travel companies to pre-approve visas and coordinate passenger lists, shortening processing times for tour groups, Tien said.
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