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Indonesian MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourists visit downtown Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism . |
From May 1st to 9th, Ho Chi Minh City welcomed a large MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) delegation of 890 members from an Indonesian insurance company. This is one of the largest international delegations to visit the city since Resolution 62/2025/NQ-HĐND on mechanisms to support and attract MICE tourism (tourism combined with conferences and exhibitions) was issued.
During their 4-day, 3-night stay in Ho Chi Minh City, the Indonesian delegation visited many iconic landmarks such as the Reunification Hall, the Central Post Office , the War Remnants Museum, and experienced local cuisine including pho, banh mi, and coffee. The program combined group activities, relaxation, and cultural exploration to create a balance between work and experience.
The group also spent an extra day traveling to My Tho ward (Dong Thap province) to explore the riverine culture of the Mekong Delta. According to the city's tourism industry, this inter-regional combination enhances the value of MICE products, allowing visitors to clearly experience the contrast between the dynamic urban environment and the peaceful countryside.
| NUMBER OF INDONESIAN TOURISTS TO VIETNAM FROM 2015-2025 | ||||||||||||
| Source: Vietnam National Tourism Administration | ||||||||||||
| Label | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 (Covid-19) | 2021 (Covid-19) | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| Number of visitors | Number of visitors | 65,661 | 69,653 | 81,065 | 87,941 | 106,688 | 0 | 0 | 36,084 | 105,381 | 184,093 | 207,196 |
Portrait of an Indonesian tourist
Mr. Tran Xuan Hung, General Director of Viking Tourism Joint Stock Company, the organizer of the program, said that before choosing Ho Chi Minh City, the Indonesian partner had conducted surveys for many months. This shows the increasing level of competition among destinations in the region and reflects the growing attractiveness of Vietnam.
Many members of the delegation expressed surprise at the blend of tradition and modernity in Ho Chi Minh City. High-rise buildings and bustling streets, interspersed with historical architectural structures, create the image of a dynamic city that still retains its unique cultural identity.
Mr. Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, said that this event is not only significant in terms of scale but also demonstrates the initial effectiveness of the demand stimulation policy. The city also affirmed the organizational capacity of its tourism ecosystem in serving groups of visitors combining conferences, seminars, and experiences.
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Typical tourist attractions that draw international visitors in Ho Chi Minh City. Photos: Phuong Lam, Linh Huynh. |
Against this backdrop, Indonesia is emerging as one of the fastest-growing markets for Vietnamese tourism. According to the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, in the first four months of the year, Vietnam welcomed 94,144 Indonesian tourists, a 30.1% increase compared to the same period last year, placing it among the fastest-growing markets.
This is considered a market with great potential, boasting a population of nearly 280 million, a rapidly growing middle class, and a significant demand for outbound tourism. Previously, Thailand was the top choice for Indonesian tourists, but recently the country hasn't offered many new products.
Meanwhile, Vietnam is developing rapidly with many new destinations and large-scale tourism projects, thereby attracting the attention of tourists.
According to the travel company Visit Indochina, Indonesian tourists are considered friendly, curious, and particularly fond of destinations with rich cultural and spiritual elements, as well as beautiful natural landscapes. They typically travel in family groups of 4-10 people, staying for 4-6 days and having stable spending levels.
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A delegation of Indonesian MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourists was welcomed at Tan Son Nhat Airport, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism. |
Indonesian tourists' travel trends have also shifted significantly, from shopping-oriented itineraries to more exploratory experiences and resort-style relaxation. Central Vietnam is now emerging as a region of greater interest to this group of travelers.
It's not difficult to understand the growing appeal of Hoi An, Da Nang, and Hue to Indonesian tourists. The three destinations are close together, making them convenient to combine into short trips while still offering ample opportunities for exploration. Cost is also a significant competitive advantage, as a 4-5 day trip in central Vietnam is typically 10-20% cheaper than a similar trip to Thailand or Singapore.
Accommodation options range from boutique homestays to 5-star beachfront resorts, while service quality in the high-end segment has improved significantly year after year. The opening of more direct flights from Indonesia to Da Nang also makes travel more convenient, especially for families with young children or elderly people.
Explaining the appeal
Vietnam's appeal extends beyond the central region. Ho Chi Minh City and destinations in the north are also seeing a significant increase in Indonesian tourists. Besides infrastructure and scenic attractions, the hospitality of the Vietnamese people and the sense of cultural closeness between the two countries are highly valued.
In an article published on Kompas.com , writer Ni Nyoman Wira Widyanti noted that Vietnam has distinct climatic differences between the North and the South, creating a variety of attractive tourism options, from beach resorts to historical exploration. The Indonesian newspaper also introduced six outstanding destinations in Vietnam: Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Hue, Hoi An, and Sa Pa.
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Phu Quoc, Hoi An, Hue, and Nha Trang are favorite destinations for Indonesian tourists. Photos: Linh Huynh, Xuan Hoat, Quoc Anh. |
According to Ha Van Sieu, Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, with their unique traditional cultures and diverse natural landscapes, Vietnam and Indonesia not only share many similarities in culture and cuisine but also aim for sustainable tourism development.
In 2025, Vietnam is expected to welcome over 21 million international tourists, including more than 207,000 Indonesian visitors, making Indonesia one of Vietnam's important tourism markets in Southeast Asia. Conversely, an increasing number of Vietnamese tourists are choosing Indonesia, especially Bali, as their holiday destination.
The Deputy Director expressed his hope that both sides would effectively exploit the potential of bilateral tourism, consider opening more direct flights, and develop multi-destination tourism products connecting Vietnam and Indonesia with other ASEAN countries.
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Vietnamese tourists trekking to the summit of Mount Rinjani volcano, Lombok Island, Indonesia, in 2024. Photo: Phan Ngoc Bao.  Strengthening the friendship between Vietnam and the United States.On July 3rd, as part of the Pacific Partnership - Friends of the Pacific 2026 program, the U.S. Army Pacific delegation, led by Lieutenant General Joel Vowell, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Pacific, paid a courtesy visit to the Quang Tri Provincial Military Command.  The U.S. Army Pacific delegation visits the Quang Tri Provincial Military Command.2026 marks the first time the Pacific Partnership-Friends of the Pacific program will be jointly organized in Quang Tri, creating a large-scale cooperation framework with 25 activities.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs received a copy of the Letter of Credence for the U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam.On the afternoon of July 2nd, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters, Mr. Le Cong Dung, Director of the State Protocol and Foreign Interpretation Department, received a copy of the Letter of Credence from Ms. Jennifer Wicks, Ambassador of the United States of America to Vietnam. |
Notably, Vietnam requested Indonesia to share its experience in developing Halal restaurant systems to better serve the Muslim market, which accounts for approximately 80% of Indonesia's population, while also expanding the international tourist market share in Vietnam.
"The Vietnam National Tourism Administration is committed to continuing to closely coordinate with the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism, relevant agencies, and businesses of both countries to promote tourism, facilitate the exchange of tourists, and expand bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector," Mr. Siêu emphasized.
Source: https://znews.vn/sau-gan-900-khach-indonesia-den-tphcm-post1650461.html
