Tour guide who loves his job competes on TV for the first time

On the morning of November 17, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism officially announced the Ho Chi Minh City Excellent Tour Guide Contest 2025, which will be held for the first time as a reality TV show, bringing the image of tourism workers closer to the public.

The contest officially started on September 18 with special attraction from the tour guide community, travel businesses and tourism students. In just a short time, more than 1,034 contestants registered online, wishing to assert their abilities in an official playground.

From a record number of registrations, the Organizing Committee has selected 65 excellent candidates to enter the Preliminary round and the following Challenge rounds. In each round, candidates must demonstrate their knowledge of history and culture, situation handling skills, ability to explain and interact with the group of guests, and the qualities required of a professional tour guide.

First time organized in reality TV model

PHOTO: Organizing Committee

The biggest new feature of 2025 is the reality TV version, combining talent competitions, training, and experiences right at the city's iconic destinations. This format is expected to bring the tour guide profession closer to the public, while truly reflecting the pressure and courage of those working in the profession.

The competitions were filmed at a series of typical destinations such as the City Post Office , Thong Nhat Hall, Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, Zoo and Botanical Garden, Ben Thanh Market, Metro Line 1, Landmark81 Skyview, culinary and heritage cultural streets, and Thieng Lieng community tourism site (Can Gio).

Tour guides will film challenges at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History

PHOTO: LE NAM

Speaking at the press conference, Ms. Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, Head of the Organizing Committee, said: "This year's contest not only evaluates expertise but also focuses on the ability to respond in real-life situations, which is the most important skill for tour guides in the context of the constantly changing tourism industry. Besides knowledge, contestants must know how to inspire, create positive experiences and represent the image of the city's tourism."

Accompanying this year's playground is Vias Hospitality System - the main sponsor. Mr. Le Thanh Binh, General Director of Vias Hospitality emphasized: "Tour guides are the ones who touch the emotions of tourists first. Investing in improving the quality of this team is the key to raising the standard of tourism services in Ho Chi Minh City".

The contestants are tour guides who love their job and are preparing to compete on television from November 19.

PHOTO: Organizing Committee

The reality TV series "Ho Chi Minh City's Best Tour Guide 2025" will be broadcast at 9:00 p.m. every Wednesday on HTV9, starting from November 19, 2025.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/huong-dan-vien-du-lich-yeu-nghe-lan-dau-tranh-tai-tren-truyen-hinh-185251117162826705.htm