Spreading the value of the tour guide profession

Some contestants participating in the contest. (Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism) — Some contestants participating in the contest. (Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism )

With the theme “Tour guide - Talented guide”, since its launch, the contest has attracted more than 1,034 contestants to register online, an impressive number demonstrating the professional pride and desire to assert themselves of tour guides across the country.

After the selection round, 65 excellent candidates entered the preliminary round and continued to compete through the challenge rounds. Here, the candidates demonstrated their professional capacity, situation handling skills, leadership and presentation skills as well as creativity in conveying the cultural values, history and people of Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam.

Notably, this year’s competition marks the first time it has been organized in a reality show format, combining competition, training, and direct experience at destinations. This is a strong innovation aimed at bringing the image of the tour guide profession closer to the public.

The competitions were filmed at many typical destinations such as: City Post Office , Reunification Hall, Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Ben Thanh Market, Metro Line 1, Landmark81 Skyview, cultural, culinary and heritage streets, Thieng Lieng community tourism destination...

Each episode not only recreates the competition journey but also tells stories about the passion, courage, knowledge and heart of the professionals.

Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu speaks at a press conference to inform about the contest on November 17. (Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism)

For nearly two months, the contestants have demonstrated their extensive knowledge, flexible skills, professional demeanor and intense love for the profession. These are the elements that create the “soul of a tour guide”. And each round is a milestone, each time a contestant is called to move on to the next round is an emotion, all of which leave a good impression on the audience and colleagues.

Ms. Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, Head of the Organizing Committee of the contest shared: "This year's contest does not stop at purely professional assessment, but focuses on the ability to respond and handle real-life situations, one of the most important requirements for tour guides in the context of the constantly changing tourism industry."

According to Ms. Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu, in addition to knowledge and professional skills, tour guides need to be flexible and tactful when leading groups, know how to inspire tourists and create positive experiences, consistent with the image of Ho Chi Minh City tourism.

In particular, the 2025 Competition highlights creativity in tourism promotion through digital technology tools and modern media platforms. This is an inevitable trend to improve the quality of tour guides, contributing to spreading the image of a smart-dynamic-experience-rich city to domestic and international tourists.

Mr. Le Thanh Binh, General Director of Vias Hospitality System, the main sponsor of the contest, said: People are the core factor that determines the quality of tourism services. Tour guides are the first people to contact tourists, the ones who connect the story of culture, people, and experiences.

Leaders of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism thanked the sponsors of the contest. (Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism)

“When the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism created a professional playground for you to hone your skills and demonstrate your mettle, we wanted to join in contributing to improving service standards, while spreading the image of a dynamic, friendly and modern Ho Chi Minh City,” said Mr. Le Thanh Binh, General Director of Vias Hospitality System.

In the context of tourism changing dramatically due to technology and new media trends, the role of tour guides is increasingly expanding: not only leading the way but also inspiring, telling stories, and building destination images. This year's competition therefore not only seeks the most outstanding individuals, but also contributes to shaping the image of the new-age tour guide - knowledgeable, professional, humane and adaptable.

The 2025 Ho Chi Minh City Excellent Tour Guide Contest will be broadcast as a series of reality TV shows on the City Radio and Television Station, periodically at 9:00 p.m. every Wednesday starting from November 19.

In particular, the final ranking and award ceremony will take place at 8:00 p.m. on December 26, broadcast live on HTV1, promising to bring many emotions and impressive moments, honoring typical tour guides, and at the same time sending a positive message about the image of Ho Chi Minh City's tourism industry to the public.

The contest was organized in coordination with state management agencies, the City Tourism Association, the City Tour Guide Association, tourism-travel businesses, universities, colleges, and vocational schools training in tourism, with the accompaniment of Ho Chi Minh City Television, the Vias Hospitality system and partner units, tourism service providers who accompanied the contest.

LINH BAO

Source: https://nhandan.vn/lan-toa-gia-tri-nghe-huong-dan-du-lich-post924029.html