Ho Chi Minh City: Developing tourism in conjunction with sports and culture.

Visiting Ho Chi Minh City these days, domestic and international tourists have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant festival season through a series of attractive sports and cultural events within the framework of the 5th Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Week 2025 with the theme "Vibrant Ho Chi Minh Fest," aiming to stimulate domestic and international tourism, promote tourism economic growth at the end of the year and welcome the new year 2026.

Over 23,000 " tourism ambassadors" participated in a journey to promote the distinctive landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City through a running event.

One of the highlight events of this year's Tourism Week was the 8th Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon, where over 23,000 athletes from 81 countries and territories around the world came together to spread and promote the image of a vibrant, culturally rich, and friendly city.

The race route took over 23,000 "tourism ambassadors" through 17 iconic landmarks of the city such as the Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Ba Son Bridge, City Post Office ... along with iconic modern riverside routes.

In addition, this year's Marathon Village also offers athletes and visitors unique cultural and tourism experiences of the city. Simultaneously, many tourism and shopping promotion programs are being implemented at the event to introduce the city to domestic and international tourists. The combination of large-scale sporting events and a series of tourism-boosting experiences and festivals is expected to widely spread the image of a vibrant, culturally rich, and hospitable city to the domestic and international communities.

According to Ms. Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, this is not only the largest-scale sports-inspired running event, but also a journey to promote the image of Ho Chi Minh City as a dynamic, friendly, and vibrant city to domestic and international tourists through every step of the athletes.

This confirms that Ho Chi Minh City is ready to become a leading regional sports and tourism event center, in line with its strategic development orientation of tourism linked to sports and culture, one of the important pillars in the strategy of building the city into an international tourism megacity, aiming for a green, sustainable, and uniquely experiential destination.

On this occasion, many localities also announced distinctive tourism products based on exploiting the strengths of local culture. Among them, Tan Dinh ward launched the tour product "Cultural Experience - Tan Dinh's Imprint," allowing the public and tourists to experience the unique heritage, religious life, distinctive architecture, and refined, characteristic local cuisine.

In particular, "The Imprint of Tan Dinh" will take visitors to explore the romantic and vibrant beauty of Tan Dinh Church; the solemn and ancient atmosphere of the Temple of Saint Tran Hung Dao, which preserves the heroic "Proclamation to the Soldiers" and the sacred spirit of the mountains and rivers; or the mystical spiritual space of Ngoc Hoang Pagoda (Phuoc Hai Tu) - a national architectural and artistic monument, which once welcomed former US President Barack Obama.

The "Tan Dinh Landmark" journey also offers visitors the feeling of experiencing the bustling commercial life of Tan Dinh Market - a "rich man's" market - a city architectural and artistic heritage site, preserving the distinctive elegance of Saigon people, and experiencing the renowned Southern Vietnamese pancake (banh xeo) honored by the Michelin Guide.

According to Mr. Tran The Dung, General Director of Vietluxtour travel company, this is a unique tourism product built from local cultural resources, with high competitiveness and catering to diverse tourist segments. From international tourists seeking an "authentic Saigon," to domestic tourists who love culture, and even city dwellers wanting to relive old memories.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism announced that the highlight of this year's Tourism Week is the participation of 168 wards, communes, and special zones across the city. With the largest scale ever, it is expected to enhance the image of the destination and bring tourism stimulus programs closer to local residents and tourists.

In particular, new tour programs, destinations, and unique tourism products of wards, communes, and special zones are being developed in the context of Ho Chi Minh City entering a new phase of development, offering richer and more attractive experiences for tourists in a tourism space that spans "from city to river to sea".

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/tphcm-phat-trien-du-lich-gan-voi-the-thao-va-van-hoa-20251210140718322.htm