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Leveraging local strengths to attract tourists
Date: 01/01/2025

In 2024, the Western Cluster for Tourism Cooperation and Development in the Mekong Delta region (Western Cluster) achieved significant results in developing tourism products, promoting tourism, and fostering regional collaboration. Provinces and cities have gradually capitalized on their internal strengths to attract visitors.
Visitors explore the pedestrian bridge at Ninh Kieu Wharf, Can Tho City. Photo: KIEU MAI

The tourism cluster in the Western Mekong Delta comprises the provinces of Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, Soc Trang, An Giang, Hau Giang, and Kien Giang, along with the city of Can Tho. In 2024, the Western cluster welcomed over 35.8 million visitors, representing a 10.5% increase compared to the previous year. Among these, international arrivals exceeded 1.4 million, reflecting a remarkable growth of 50.9%. Total tourism revenue surpassed 51 trillion VND, marking an increase of 40.1% year-on-year. This growth highlights a significant rise in both international arrivals and tourism revenue. The provinces have progressively strengthened their internal resources, concentrating on developing high-quality tourism products and fostering meaningful cooperation initiatives.

According to the Kien Giang Department of Tourism, the province received over 9.8 million visitors in 2024, up more than 15% year-on-year, generating over 25 trillion VND in revenue, a nearly 44% increase. International arrivals reached over 978,785, a surge of more than 70%. Kien Giang leveraged its favorable natural conditions and diverse terrain, ranging from plains and mountains to seas and islands, to develop various tourism products. Key tourism areas in Kien Giang include:

- Rach Gia City and surrounding areas: eco-tourism, island tourism, historical sites, and festivals.

- Ha Tien - Kien Luong: island tourism, scenic spots, and historical relics.

- U Minh Thuong: eco-tourism linked to historical sites.

- Phu Quoc: eco-tourism, high-end resorts, and international-quality services.

- Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve: eco-tourism combined with scientific research.

An Giang Province welcomed approximately 9.1 million visitors in 2024, a 7% increase compared to 2023, with total tourism revenue reaching about 10.25 trillion VND, up 74%. In recent years, An Giang has made significant strides in enhancing its tourism products, notably upgrading and expanding key attractions such as the Sam Mountain National Tourism Area, Cam Mountain Tourism Area, Ton Đuc Thang Memorial Site, Tra Su Melaleuca Forest Ecotourism Site, and various other cultural and historical sites. Notably, in 2024, the Sam Mountain Ba Chua Xu Festival was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, further boosting the province's tourism profile.

Can Tho City plays a central role with strengths in MICE tourism and river tourism. The city boasts over 640 accommodation facilities with 11,000 rooms, more than 70 travel companies, and iconic river-based attractions such as the Cái Rang Floating Market, Ninh Kieu Wharf, Cantho Eco Resort, and Son Islet. In 2024, Can Tho welcomed about 6.3 million visitors, generating an estimated 6.226 trillion VND in tourism revenue. The city has also become a hub for regional festivals such as the Southern Folk Cake Festival and the HCMC - Mekong Delta Tourism and Trade Week.

Other provinces in the Western Cluster have focused on developing unique tourism products. Hau Giang has leveraged its rice production strengths, creating tourism offerings along the Xa No Canal’s rice route. Ca Mau has highlighted its forest ecology to develop sustainable tourism systems. As a result, 23 destinations within the Western Cluster were recognized among the top 50 attractive tourism destinations in the HCMC and Mekong Delta region in 2024.

The Western Cluster has actively enhanced its tourism marketing and promotional efforts, participating in events such as the 2024 Hanoi International Travel Mart (VITM), the 2024 HCMC International Travel Expo (ITE HCMC), and showcasing local tourism products at the 2024 Ban Flower Festival in Dien Bien, as part of the National Tourism Year, among others. The cluster has also promoted regional tourism in Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Thailand, and through collaborations with Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho, Cambodia, and Thailand. These activities have successfully introduced the cluster's distinctive and standout tourism products to broader markets.

Additionally, the Western Cluster actively promotes local tourism through various initiatives, such as connecting tourism websites across the Mekong Delta, advertising destinations on smart tourism apps, and encouraging collaboration among businesses to use each other's products. These efforts to improve product quality and develop new inter-provincial tourism routes have enhanced competitiveness and attracted more visitors. Collaborations like the partnerships between Can Tho and Hau Giang, as well as An Giang and Can Tho, have led to the establishment of 55 river tourism routes linking the Mekong Delta with Ho Chi Minh City, showcasing the region’s unique strengths in river tourism.

Looking ahead to 2025, the Western and Eastern Mekong Delta Clusters (Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Tien Giang, Long An, Dong Thap, and Ben Tre) will merge into a 14-province partnership with HCMC. This collaboration will enhance product development, marketing, and tourism promotion. The aim is to adopt a more professional approach to redefine the region's tourism brand and drive sustainable growth, all while leveraging the unique strengths of the southern river region.


Source: Cantho News - Translated by Hoang Dat



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