New opportunities for Ho Chi Minh City tourism through partnership with Japan's Aichi

Vice-chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Dung on Tuesday received Hirose Noriko, tourism ambassador of the city in Aichi Prefecture, opening promising prospects for the city's tourism industry.

At the reception in Ho Chi Minh City, he emphasized numerous opportunities to strengthen bilateral relations while fostering the city's growth.

Vice-chairman Dung highlighted the nearly decade-long sisterhood between Aichi Prefecture and Ho Chi Minh City since 2016.

This partnership has involved various exchanges in tourism, culture, education, and economics.

He highly valued the Vietnamese festivals held in Aichi, which Noriko has organized and overseen since 2008.

"These events not only promote Ho Chi Minh City in Japan, but also enliven the friendship between the city and Aichi," he said.

He stated that in September 2026, to mark the 10th anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh City-Aichi ties, the city will hold a series of events and programs to celebrate this milestone.

He also noted the special timing of her visit, coming just as Ho Chi Minh City had completed 28 days since merging with Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provinces.

This merger expands the city's population to over 14 million and its area to 6,772 square kilometers.

Former Binh Duong Province was a southern industrial hub with 33 export processing and industrial zones, while former Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province offered advantages in ports, logistics, and coastal tourism, key opportunities for future exchanges.

During the meeting, he shared the city's priority projects seeking Japanese interest and support, including the establishment of Vietnam's international financial hub based in Ho Chi Minh City, along with logistics, industrial clusters, and green development strategies.

"The city hopes to receive continued support to encourage Japanese firms to explore cooperation opportunities in Ho Chi Minh City," he said.

"Additionally, with our rich marine resources, we look forward to collaboration in developing coastal and island tourism."

Noriko, who has been working in Vietnam since 1996, shared that she has a strong affection for Vietnam in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular.

She also provided two important updates to the city leadership.

First, in September, Aichi University will visit Saigon University to sign an agreement promoting student exchanges between the two countries.

Aichi Prefecture is home to 63,000 Vietnamese residents.

Second, the 2025 Vietnam Festival will be held at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo on November 8 and 9.

Since its inception in 2008, the festival has become a major cultural exchange event between Vietnam and Japan. The 2024 edition attracted 130,000 revelers.

In response, Dung assured that Ho Chi Minh City will coordinate agencies and universities to support these exchanges and actively participate in the 2025 Vietnam Festival.

Regarding tourism products, Noriko noted that Japanese travelers prefer Vietnams coastal destinations but often choose Da Nang for its direct flights.

She suggested developing more shopping tours and coastal tourism products in Ho Chi Minh City to lure more Japanese tourists.

"I will promote Ho Chi Minh Citys beaches at the upcoming festival," she affirmed.

Dung underscored that coastal and island tourism in Ho Chi Minh City is poised for significant growth, with the city seeking approval to develop a Con Dao Island special tourism zone.

Tieu Bac - Thao Thuong / Tuoi Tre News

(2025/07/30-17:44)

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