Rapid recovery

Can Tho is one of the localities with a relatively fast recovery rate for tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, in 2023, Can Tho welcomed nearly 5.99 million arrivals, an increase of 17% compared to the same period in 2022; of which there were nearly 2.98 million overnight visitors. International arrivals reached around 159,000. Total tourism revenue reached 5,420 billion VND, increased by 32% compared to the same period in 2022.

Last year, Can Tho successfully organized promotion activities in key markets: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ninh...; expanded international markets: Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore; cooperated and coordinated with localities to organize promotional events to attract tourists and expand markets: Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Tuyen Quang, Northwestern provinces, Ho Chi Minh City... At the same time, many new tourism models and destinations were formed and developed such as agricultural tourism combined with resorts, agricultural and camping tourism, sports tourism, health care tourism... Notably, My Khanh Tourism Village was recognized as the Mekong Delta's first 4-star OCOP tourism product.

Investment in training and improving human resources quality in tourism was paid attention with 15 training and skills enhancement courses for over 700 students who are officials in charge of tourism at district and commune levels, businesses, tourism transportations... Developed and promoted many characteristic tourism products and projects such as "Developing MICE Tourism Model in Can Tho City", "Assessing the Status and Proposing Solutions to Effectively Exploit Historical-Cultural Sites for Tourism Development in Can Tho City", "Current Situation and Solutions to Develop a Smart Tourism System to Attract Tourists to Can Tho City", "Agricultural Tourism Development Project", "Developing Nighttime Economy in Can Tho City (Pilot in Ninh Kieu District)"...

However, there are still many difficulties and challenges, as shared by Ms. Dao Thi Thanh Thuy, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Can Tho City: "Tourism products have been innovated and improved in quality but have not truly attracted or created competitive advantages, especially agricultural and river tourism have not exploited strengths. Tourism human resources have not met integration demands. Promotion work is still scattered and does not invest adequately in market research. Currently, Can Tho International Airport only operates 6 domestic air routes and 1 international air route; compared to 2019 it has temporarily suspended 6 domestic air routes. Investment in promotion of investment, trade, and tourism is still limited, affecting the scale of operations and effectiveness of place promotion”.

Orientation for development

Ms. Le Dinh Minh Thy, Director of Vietravel Can Tho, said: "After the COVID-19 pandemic, Can Tho and the Mekong Delta are assessed as having great potential and attracting many tourists. Specifically in 2023, Vietravel welcomed about 28,000 tourists to Can Tho, of which tourists from the Southeast region accounted for a large proportion. From the travel agency's perspective, we see clear changes in Can Tho in recent years thanks to infrastructure and destination investment. However, we propose that the locality pay attention to restoring air routes, in addition to investing in characteristic products like MICE. This is Can Tho's strength thanks to suitable infrastructure, but it needs mechanisms and policies to promote development. We also plan to open charter flights targeting international markets, hoping to connect markets and create momentum for air routes to resume operations. At the same time, we also hope Can Tho will organize many promotion delegations to connect and expand markets, based on which early events will be built for businesses to proactively plan participation”.

Mr. Nguyen Hoang On, Director of Can Tho Tourism Development Center, said: "We have developed a tourism promotion plan for 2024. Target international markets include China, Cambodia, Thailand, and Australia; domestic markets will focus on Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Central Highlands region... Some highlight events will have changes, such as the 2024 Cai Rang Floating Market Cultural Festival, which will be linked with the Can Tho River Festival... We will soon have schedules for these activities for tourism businesses to proactively connect, promote, and bring tourists to Can Tho".

Tourism businesses surveyed new tourism products in Phong Dien.

In 2024, the Tourism Sector of Can Tho City set a target of receiving about 6.1 million visitors, of which lodging visitors will reach about 3.1 million. At the same time, focus on developing a diverse range of tourism products, focusing on strengths in: eco-river tourism, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions); submitting the draft scheme "Preserving and promoting the values ​​of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage of Cai Rang Floating Market Culture serving the development of tourism until 2030, with a vision to 2045"; the draft "Developing tourism in Can Tho City in an eco-friendly direction associated with the distinctive cultural values ​​of the locality" ... in addition to advising policies to support the development of tourism in Can Tho City until 2030. Take the initiative and mobilize resources to invest comprehensively and modernize the tourism infrastructure system, especially road and waterway transportation infrastructure, to ensure open routes from the city center to tourism destinations throughout the area, and attract investment in large-scale, modern tourist boat piers. Research mechanisms, policies, and create conditions for domestic and international airlines to open new air routes connecting to potential tourist markets. Increase attraction and invitation of investment in approved tourism projects and projects, infrastructure projects to serve tourism development.

Mr. Nguyen Thuc Hien, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City, emphasized: "The goal by 2025 is for the Tourism Sector of Can Tho City to basically become a leading economic sector; develop quality, diverse and highly competitive tourism products; an attractive destination in the region and the country. The Tourism Sector will focus on some key tasks, overcome difficulties and change thinking, be creative in tourism". Specifically, focus on developing types of tourism and distinctive products suitable for the potential and orientation of the city's development: eco-river tourism, MICE...; increase investment to promote night-time economic development, diversify tourism services and products, attract tourists spending, and extend the length of stay. In 2024, the city's Tourism Sector will develop a distinctive tourism route and characteristic tourism product for exploitation. In addition, strengthening linkages and cooperation in tourism development with key localities will form inter-regional tourism routes, diversify destinations, create attraction, and connect value chains in tourism products. At the same time mobilize investment support for infrastructure development, especially transportation infrastructure; advise mechanisms, policies on investment. In addition, solutions for improving human resources, building a smart tourism system, and innovating promotion and marketing must also be paid attention to innovation.