Cooperation in tourism development between Ho Chi Minh City and 13 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta: Focus on developing unique tourism products, aiming for sustainability

Tourism leaders of 14 provinces and cities jointly launched the Action Program on developing green and sustainable tourism in Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta. Photo: Kieu Mai

Effectiveness of the cooperation program

The cooperation in tourism development between Ho Chi Minh City and 13 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta (hereinafter referred to as the Cooperation) identifies five contents: information exchange and management of tourism development, product development and construction, tourism promotion, human resource development and tourism investment attraction. These contents are implemented regularly every year and bring positive results.

Specifically, in 2024, there were more than 2.7 million tourists from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta, and more than 1 million tourists from the Mekong Delta to Ho Chi Minh City. Last year, 14 provinces and cities coordinated to survey, develop and announce 55 river tourism routes, which were diversely divided: 19 routes with accommodation on the Mekong River (Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta and international routes connecting Cambodia), 14 inter-regional river tours/routes from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta by canoe, speedboat and 22 routes, intra-regional river tours of the Mekong Delta by tourist canoe, wooden tourist boat and yacht. This is considered a breakthrough orientation, because besides the river routes exploited from Bach Dang Wharf (Ho Chi Minh City), the inter-route is being opened for the Mekong Delta region with the orientation of new routes departing from 4 transit points: My Tho - Cai Be Cruise Port (Tien Giang), Vinh Long Passenger Port, Can Tho Tourist Wharf, Chau Doc Tourist Wharf ( An Giang ). These are 4 new wharves with investment orientation, contributing to creating typical products for the Link, gradually positioning the regional tourism brand. In addition, there are 9 regional tourism survey programs with about 560 tourism businesses connecting between the Southeast, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta.

In the destination promotion strategy, 14 provinces and cities currently have a system of 50 attractive tourist destinations from the "Elevating destinations - Connecting journeys" voting program. The voting program contributes to preserving and promoting traditional culture and identity to promote the introduction of destinations of 14 provinces and cities, thereby creating links to build typical products that are suitable for market demand. On this basis, destination exploitation enterprises deploy promotion, communication of tourism products and services, connect with travel agencies to build quality tourism programs to attract tourists.

The linkage also creates a strong driving force to attract investment in infrastructure and tourism services. Through investment promotion conferences, the tourism image of the Mekong Delta provinces is enhanced, attracting the attention of many large enterprises to invest in the localities.

It can be seen that Lien Ket has created a change in the development of tourism in the region. Many destinations in the Mekong Delta have gradually positioned their key products, built appropriate promotional strategies, increased investment in transport infrastructure, tourism infrastructure, investment promotion activities, etc.

Promoting product chain linkage, aiming for sustainability

In 2025, the Link identifies key contents: organizing conferences to deploy tasks and forums on cooperation and tourism development; implementing and announcing the Project on Developing Tourism Products Linking Ho Chi Minh City and 13 Provinces and Cities in the Mekong Delta; developing a tourism program associated with the cultural and historical values ​​of the border areas of Long An, Dong Thap, An Giang and Kien Giang provinces; a tourism promotion program for Ho Chi Minh City and 13 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta in the Central provinces with the theme "Connecting localities - Enhancing values". This is the first joint promotion program of 14 provinces and cities to potential markets; building an electronic handbook introducing a list of tourism promotion and investment projects of 14 provinces and cities; Complete and publish the content of promoting tourist destinations of 13 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta on the 3D/360 digital application platform of Ho Chi Minh City with the theme "One operation - Connecting many journeys"; organize training courses for human resources, especially human resources in community and waterway tourism.

Ms. Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, said that there needs to be coordination between relevant departments, sectors and units in 14 provinces and cities to facilitate the implementation of contents supporting regional tourism development, such as transport infrastructure, investment promotion, service trade, local products and services, and human resource training. Localities also focus on building typical tourism products, linking to create diverse products. In particular, Can Tho, An Giang, Kien Giang and Ca Mau proactively promote the role of regional linkage.

Mr. Lam Huu Phuc, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (DTC) of Tra Vinh province, said that tourism products are an important factor in the Linkage. Localities in the Mekong Delta must restructure and reposition tourism products, especially after the arrangement of provincial units. The linkage of routes will also change and must be adjusted to promote the value of tourism products. Localities should also create conditions to build mechanisms and policies to support tourism development; build a regional tourism brand identity, based on the specific tourism products and tourism potential of each locality.

Experience river tourism by canoe in Can Tho. Photo: Kieu Mai

Sharing the same view, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Dung, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ben Tre province, also said that building a common brand identity for tourism is necessary. We should focus on the Mekong Delta brand identity associated with the development of green and sustainable tourism. This is the familiar recognition of international visitors for the Mekong Delta region over the years and should promote the indigenous cultural identity in the common product chain.

Meanwhile, Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, said: “Recently, Ho Chi Minh City has worked with experts to survey and orient the construction of 3 clusters of product development spaces in the Mekong Delta. The clusters of Can Tho, Hau Giang, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau will develop river tourism, floating markets, and indigenous culture; the clusters of Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh and Vinh Long will develop community agricultural tourism, ecology and contemporary heritage; and the clusters of Long An, An Giang, Kien Giang and Dong Thap will develop border, island and spiritual tourism. With these clusters, there will be focused and key investments to promote the value of typical products of each locality.”

In developing tourism products, localities in the Alliance also set common goals for developing green and sustainable tourism. Specifically, 14 provinces and cities launched the Action Program on developing green and sustainable tourism in Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta with the theme "Sustainable tourism and Net Zero target" in 2025.

According to Can Tho electronic newspaper

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/lien-ket-hop-tac-phat-trien-du-lich-giua-tp-ho-chi-minh-va-13-tinh-thanh-bscl-chu-trong-phat-trien-san-pham-du-lich-dac-trung-huong-den-ben-vung-20250411145722773.htm