Endowed with a prime geographic location and a wealth of cultural heritage, Southeastern Vietnam is emerging as a promising destination for professional, modern, and high-quality tourism development, boasting strong competitiveness in the region.
Golden Geographic Location: A Hub for Key Economic Regions
Southeastern Vietnam comprises Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and the provinces of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, and Tay Ninh. Among these, HCMC stands out as the largest metropolis in the country, functioning as an economic powerhouse and magnet for both residents and tourists. This concentration generates substantial demand for tourism services while providing a significant domestic visitor base for neighboring areas.
In addition, Dong Nai Province, with its thriving industrial growth, attracts a large workforce from across the nation. This influx fuels a dynamic domestic tourism market and heightens the demand for recreational activities.
Seamless Connectivity
Southeastern Vietnam enjoys excellent connectivity with other provinces and international markets. To the west, the region connects to Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia via the Trans-Asian Highway network. To the east, ports such as Saigon, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and Thi Vai serve as crucial trade gateways, fostering international tourism. The forthcoming Long Thanh International Airport is expected to significantly enhance the region’s global accessibility.
Diverse Terrain
Experts frequently highlight Southeast Vietnam’s impressive geographic diversity. The region boasts a 350-kilometer coastline adorned with stunning beaches like Vung Tau, Long Hai, and Con Dao. Pristine forests, such as the Can Gio Mangrove Forest and national parks including Nam Cat Tien (Dong Nai), Con Dao (Ba Ria-Vung Tau), Bu Gia Map (Binh Phuoc), and Lo Go-Xa Mat (Tay Ninh), provide natural havens for eco-tourism.
Majestic mountains such as Mount Dinh in Vung Tau and Mount Chua Chan in Dong Nai, along with a network of rivers and lakes including the Saigon River, Vam Co Dong River, Dong Nai River, Dau Tieng Lake, Tri An Lake, and Thac Mo Lake, complete this diverse natural landscape. These features offer unique tourism experiences and present opportunities to develop innovative products that cater to the evolving preferences of visitors.
Rich Cultural Heritage
With over 300 years of development, Southeastern Vietnam boasts unique cultural characteristics and a treasure trove of historical relics. These assets lay the foundation for creating rich cultural tourism products that celebrate both tangible and intangible heritage. According to Tran The Thuan, Director of Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Culture and Sports, HCMC alone is home to 185 historical and cultural relics, including 60 nationally recognized sites. Iconic landmarks such as the Independence Palace, Nha Rong Wharf, Cu Chi Tunnels, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Ben Thanh Market have become premier tourist attractions.
In Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, a vibrant array of historical sites and cultural traditions flourish. The province hosts traditional festivals like the Phi Yen Memorial Festival, Tran Hung Dao Memorial Festival, Nghinh Ong Festival at Thang Tam Temple, the Five Elements Lady Temple Festival, the Double Ninth Festival, Dinh Co Festival, and the Tran Family Memorial Festival at Long Son Big House.
Additionally, Southeastern Vietnam is renowned for its traditional craft villages, such as Phuoc Hai fishing village, An Ngai rice paper village, and Vung Tau shell craft village in Ba Ria-Vung Tau; Bien Hoa pottery village, Tan Trieu pomelo village, and Ta Lai brocade weaving village in Dong Nai; and Trang Bang rice paper village and Go Dau shrimp salt-making village in Tay Ninh.
A Bright Future for Tourism
Building on its geographic and cultural strengths, Southeastern Vietnam has successfully developed numerous destinations and tourism products tailored to visitors’ needs. Each locality highlights its unique attractions, reflecting the region’s distinct identity and charm. With persistent efforts, Southeastern Vietnam is well-positioned to become a leading tourism hub in both the region and the world.
According to the Regional Development Plan for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050, the tourism sector in Southeastern Vietnam is charting a course toward professional, modern, and high-quality growth, solidifying its strong regional competitiveness.
