Ho Chi Minh City has set a target of receiving 3.5 million foreign arrivals in 2022 after a bad year for tourism heavily impacted by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.
The fourth wave of COVID-19 that started in April 2021 and lasted till the end of the year jeopardized the city’s tourism recovery plan. The city became the largest coronavirus hotspot in Vietnam and received no foreign tourists during the year.
As Vietnam closed its borders to international travel, Ho Chi Minh City focused on the domestic market, introducing quality products to lure local holidaymakers, when the outbreak showed signs of waning.
In 2021, the city successfully organized a range of activities, including the 17th Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival, Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival, and the Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon.
It opened up a number of domestic tours that serve to connect various destinations across the country, as well as coordinating with travel firms in order to design unique tourism products.
As a result, the southern city welcomed 9.35 million domestic tourists, representing an annual decline of more than 41%.
This year, the city is aiming to receive 3.5 million international visitors and 25 million domestic visitors providing that the pandemic is effectively contained.
Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, said the city has developed its tourism recovery plan, including welcoming back foreign visitors on safe tours this year.
