Ho Chi Minh City charts ambitious course to become Asia's premier business tourism hub

Ho Chi Minh City has adopted Resolution No. 62/2025/NQ-HDND to create an institutional framework aimed at attracting major MICE tourism events—meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions—over the coming five years. The policy signals the city's determination to compete with established regional business tourism destinations by offering targeted incentives and support mechanisms.

The city's strategy focuses on eight priority sectors identified as growth drivers: finance, technology, innovation, logistics, healthcare, education, manufacturing and the marine economy. By concentrating efforts on these high-value industries, Ho Chi Minh City aims to attract larger delegations, higher-spending participants and repeat business events that generate sustained economic benefits.

Beyond conventional conferences, Ho Chi Minh City is diversifying its tourism appeal through premium experiences and infrastructure upgrades. Medical tourism initiatives are being developed around internationally standardized service standards, while immersive cultural experiences are being marketed to leisure travelers. Enhanced rail connectivity, including premium train services to coastal destinations like Nha Trang, is expanding the city's appeal as a comprehensive tourism gateway.

The multipronged approach reflects Ho Chi Minh City's broader ambitions to position itself as a megacity capable of hosting world-class events while competing for international visitor spending with other major Asian centers. Success will depend on the city's ability to deliver on infrastructure improvements, service quality standards and competitive incentive packages for event organizers and participants.

Photo: The Ho Chi Minh City skyline at night, District 1, October 2017. Jim 陳 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).