Ho Chi Minh City – Where Every Living Experience Can Become a Tourism Product
Ho Chi Minh City is considered a dynamic and vibrant destination with numerous cultural and historical values; everything from its people and cuisine to its daily rhythm of life can become attractive tourism products.
Sharing at the event, Mr. Nguyen Tien Huy, CEO of Pencil Group and Director of Localis.vn, observed that tourists’ demands are shifting from “sightseeing” to “experiencing.” The urban “living essence” of Ho Chi Minh City – from its people and cuisine to its daily rhythm – can absolutely create beautiful stories and memories for visitors.
“A notable statistic provided by Outbox shows that Vietnam’s tourism Net Promoter Score (NPS) currently reaches only 24.2 points, while the Southeast Asian regional average is 53.4 points. This figure reflects a reality: the number of visitors to Vietnam may be growing, but the level of deep engagement with experiences – the factor that makes them willing to return or recommend it to others – remains limited… The issue is not that we lack resources for them to experience and connect with,” Mr. Huy stated.
Sharing from personal experience, content creator Quang My Thien (Cholon Downtown channel) said that it is everyday stories that have helped an area like Cho Lon become more attractive to tourists: “In Cho Lon where I live, there is a very delicious Chaozhou pastry called ‘bánh pía’… Actually, that small bakery is over 100 years old. Upon realizing this uniqueness, I started making video clips telling stories revolving around this pastry… And now that bakery has become a tourist destination.”
From an international perspective, Mr. Martin Koerner, Commercial Director of The Anam Resort, believes there is still a gap between how Vietnam tells its story and how international tourists receive it. According to him, many foreign tourists do not fully understand Vietnam; therefore, attracting them lies not only in the product but also in the way the story is told – which needs to stem from the very perspective and feelings of the tourists.
At the program, the speakers also agreed that tourism trends are clearly shifting, as tourists increasingly prioritize personalized experiences over mass tours. Instead of focusing on traditional destinations or activities, the core element to aim for is authentic stories tied to indigenous life, thereby creating a deeper connection between tourists and the local people and culture.
Read more at: VOV.VN – TP.HCM – nơi mọi trải nghiệm sống đều có thể trở thành sản phẩm du lịch