Many regions in Vietnam are well-suited to host sporting events, thanks to their natural landscapes, favorable climate, and rich cultural heritage—allowing for a seamless blend of sports, culture, and tourism experiences.
HO CHI MINH CITY – With its rich diversity of landscapes, from mountains and plains to rivers and coastal islands. Vietnam is seen as having strong potential to develop sport tourism across various regions.
According to Dr. Đoàn Mạnh Cương of Nguyễn Tất Thành University, many areas in Vietnam possess ideal conditions—including natural beauty, a favorable climate, and vibrant cultural heritage—to host sporting events that blend seamlessly with cultural and tourism experiences.
However, he emphasized that realizing this potential requires strategic investment and well-coordinated efforts. He urged local authorities to prioritize infrastructure development, establish multifunctional sports centers, and upgrade existing event venues. Encouraging private sector participation through public-private partnerships was also recommended to diversify funding sources and reduce reliance on the state budget.
In addition, Dr. Cương stressed the importance of enhancing international promotion and building partnerships with major global sports organizations to put Vietnam firmly on the world’s sport tourism map. He called for a long-term strategy to train specialized human resources, with courses in event management, adventure sports guiding, and sustainable tourism practices.
Environmental protection must also remain a core priority, he said, urging local governments to adopt eco-friendly policies to ensure tourism and sporting activities do not harm natural ecosystems.
Echoing these views, Nguyễn Công Hoan, General Director of Flamingo Redtours JSC, highlighted the need for close coordination among relevant agencies to design appealing competition schedules and clear event regulations. He also underscored that tourist and athlete safety must always be a top concern.
Officials from Ho Chi Minh City’s Departments of Tourism, and Culture and Sports noted that, following recent administrative boundary adjustments, the city is now even better positioned to host integrated events that combine sports, cultural performances, and tourism promotion.
Nguyễn Thị Ánh Hoa, Director of the municipal Department of Tourism, pointed to the city’s recent water festival as a successful example of this integration. Recognized by the HCM City People’s Committee at the local Creative Awards, the festival leveraged the city’s river-based character to merge tourism, culture, sports, and the economy—dramatically boosting the city’s image and appeal.
Data from early June 2024 underscores the festival’s success: over 1.3 million visitors came to the city within the first 10 days of the month, and hotel occupancy rates surged by 25–30 percent compared to normal periods.
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