Linking tourism development between Ho Chi Minh City and Mekong Delta: Enhancing connectivity and sustainable development

To promote and develop tourism in each locality, build and develop tourism in the Mekong Delta, since 2021, the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta provinces have implemented a program of cooperation and tourism development for the period 2021 - 2025. Accordingly, the program has created a "boost" to help develop tourism in the Mekong Delta. Tourism products are diverse and rich, helping visitors have interesting experiences. Every year, localities organize conferences to evaluate the results of cooperation work, thereby proposing practical solutions to help improve the effectiveness of tourism activities.

Ms. Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu - Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism said that the cooperation focuses on 5 key contents: Information exchange in state management of tourism; Building and developing tourism products; Communication and promotion of tourism; Training and developing tourism human resources; Promoting investment in tourism. In 2024, the units have implemented many cooperation programs and achieved impressive results. Specifically: Successfully organized the Forum on cooperation and development of tourism, surveyed and announced 55 river tourism routes from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta provinces. At the same time, organized 9 regional tourism survey programs... Thereby, helping tourists have many opportunities to experience, visit and enjoy the true values ​​of delta tourism.

From a local perspective, Mr. Lam Hoang Nghiep - Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Soc Trang province said that Soc Trang is very interested in linking and developing tourism. In recent times, the province has implemented many programs and activities to promote and develop tourism, closely coordinating with Ho Chi Minh City and provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta region. Thereby, attracting a large number of domestic and international tourists to Soc Trang. In the coming time, the province will step up calling for investment in tourism development projects associated with the development of indigenous cultural values. Thereby, Mr. Nghiep hopes that localities will continue to promote linking activities to improve the quality and efficiency of the tourism industry.

Mr. Lam Huu Phuc - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Tra Vinh province said that in order to effectively connect and develop tourism, provinces and cities need to build and perfect mechanisms and policies as agreed in the connection work. Localities need to promote the development of unique tourism products to avoid duplication between provinces and cities in the region. After restructuring and positioning tourism products, it is necessary to invest in infrastructure connecting regional tourist destinations. Tourism will only flourish when transport infrastructure is developed. Next, it is necessary to promote the connection of localities through tourism stimulus programs, support travel businesses to participate in routes in the Mekong Delta so that travel businesses can build suitable tours and routes to serve tourists.

Similarly, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Dung - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ben Tre province shared that after nearly 5 years of implementing the linkage program, many outstanding results have been achieved, helping local tourism develop in the overall development of tourism in the delta and the whole country. According to Ms. Dung, the most important and necessary issue is that localities want many investors to come to the province to build and invest in infrastructure. Through the connection of Ho Chi Minh City, many investors have come to Ben Tre in recent times. For tourism in the Mekong Delta to develop strongly, the business community of the provinces needs to join hands and together position the brand and have the same vision for the common development of tourism in the Mekong Delta. In the Mekong Delta, each locality will have its own unique tourism products that do not overlap and "clash" with other places. “I am really excited about the practical solution proposed in 2025, which is to connect tourism in the Mekong Delta with the Central and Northern regions. Many tourists from the Central and Northern regions really like the tourism products of the Mekong Delta,” said Ms. Dung.

From the business perspective, Mr. Nguyen Ha Trung - Deputy General Director of Vietravel said that in the coming period, the unit will focus on developing green tourism, connecting the community and applying technology in tourism development. The unit has implemented many specific initiatives, focusing on creating tourism products that are both unique and environmentally friendly and closely linked to regional identity such as the tour "Cham cultural journey", "Discovering Tra Su cajuput forest", "Cai Rang floating market - Traditional craft village", "A day as a farmer in the Mekong Delta". To ensure sustainability, Vietravel integrates educational elements into tourism products. Each tour is designed with instructions on cultural and environmental conservation, helping visitors better understand the importance of preserving the resources of the Mekong Delta.

Thuong Temple

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/lien-ket-phat-trien-du-lich-tp-hcm-dbscl-nang-tam-ket-noi-phat-trien-ben-vung-post543836.html