International tourists enjoy street food in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: QUANG DINH
At the launch of the Ho Chi Minh City culinary tourism program on October 22nd, Ms. Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, stated that the program marks a new step in the strategy of diversifying tourism products and affirms the city's position as a leading "culinary paradise" in Vietnam and the region.
During an in-depth survey conducted in September 2025, the Department of Tourism, in collaboration with travel agencies, developed 21 unique culinary tourism programs.
Accordingly, each tour is a unique experience, closely linking dining, shopping, and destinations across all three regions: Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong , and Ba Ria - Vung Tau.
This is also part of the city's strategic plan for developing culinary tourism products until 2030, with the goal of welcoming 10 million international visitors and achieving tourism revenue of 290,000 billion VND in 2025.
"With the diversity and richness of its culinary tourism programs, Ho Chi Minh City will continue to affirm its position as an international tourism hub, an unmissable destination on the world tourism map. The Department expects these programs to contribute to building a rich, sustainable, and vibrant tourism ecosystem," Ms. Hieu shared.
Some of the standout programs include:
"Saigon - Past Flavors, Present Flavors" Tour (half-day): A journey to discover historical landmarks through the secret weapons bunker of the Saigon Commando Unit, enjoy fried dough sticks dipped in Bretel butter coffee, steamed rice rolls stacked on plates, and admire the city at night from the Social Club sky bar at Hôtel des Arts Saigon.
The "Culinary Quintessence of Ho Chi Minh City" tour (half-day): Guides visitors through the city's refined culinary spaces, from the banh xeo (Vietnamese savory pancake) stalls on Dinh Cong Trang Street and the Vinh Khanh night market to the bars in the heart of Saigon.
"Taste the Herbs" Tour (1 day): Experience dishes incorporating medicinal herbs such as Ngoc Linh ginseng pho, visit the Fito Museum of Traditional Medicine, a black garlic production factory, and relax at D'Latcha Tea & Bistro.
The "Tropical Sweetness" tour (half-day): Designed for sweet tooth enthusiasts, this tour highlights Maison Marou, a renowned artisanal chocolate factory, combined with an exploration of the Ho Chi Minh City Museum and a ride on an open-top double-decker bus.
"Vespa Le La" Tour (1 day): A city tour on a vintage Vespa, enjoying Saigon street food from banh mi, banh xeo, seafood, sweet soups to sidewalk coffee, recreating the vibrant and friendly rhythm of city life.
"From Farm to Bar" Tour (1 day): Visit the OCA organic cocoa farm in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, experience making chocolate yourself, enjoy a cocoa buffet and fresh juices - the most popular "from farm to chocolate bar" journey among suburban culinary tours.
In addition, inter-regional tours such as "Taste of the Blue Sea," "Rediscovering the Flavors of My Homeland," or "Unique Cuisine of Binh Duong" allow tourists to explore regional specialties, connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, opening up a rich inter-regional culinary experience.
Extended tourist map
Following its administrative expansion, Ho Chi Minh City now possesses 681 tourism resources eligible for development, ranging from vibrant urban spaces to traditional craft villages, modern industrial zones, and picturesque islands and beaches.
The city's tourism map doesn't just stop at familiar landmarks like Notre Dame Cathedral, Independence Palace, and Ben Thanh Market, but also extends to Long Hai, Dinh Mountain, and the pottery villages of Binh Duong, creating a solid foundation for diversifying tourism products.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tp-hcm-dua-am-thuc-tro-thanh-san-pham-du-lich-hap-dan-20251022140720495.htm
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