Ba Ria-Vung Tau targets high-quality business tourism

Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Department of Tourism hosted a familiarisation trip (famtrip) on September 8, welcoming representatives from 20 travel companies and online tourism service providers from China, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The group visited the Ho Tram area to explore and assess local tourism offerings.

The group toured the sea-view bridge, evaluated services at Melia Ho Tram and The Bluffs Grand Ho Tram golf course, and participated in a gala dinner with local service providers at The Grand Ho Tram. Visitors also enjoyed dining and accommodations at the resort.

On September 7, the guests visited the Ba Ria-Vung Tau Museum to learn about the region’s history and culture. According to the provincial Department of Tourism, this famtrip was seen as an opportunity to promote the destination and lay the groundwork for attracting more international visitors to Ba Ria-Vung Tau in 2025.

A group of tourists participating in team-building activities at Emerald Ho Tram Resort

During the four-day National Day holiday from August 31 to September 3, coastal resorts in Ba Ria-Vung Tau also reported promising trends in business tourism. Several resorts in the Ho Tram area saw daily group bookings, with more than 100 participants engaging in beachside team-building activities and enjoying full-service packages, including meals and accommodations.

"Despite a decline in visitor numbers, accommodation revenue during the National Day holiday witnessed a 25 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023," said Le Anh Van, director of the Tourism Area Management Board of Xuyen Moc District.

The World Tourism Organisation predicts that by 2025, global business tourism revenue will reach over $1.4 trillion, with major concentrations in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Additionally, in the post-COVID recovery phase, many organisations and businesses are increasingly organising summary conferences, award ceremonies, or seeking investment opportunities, combining business with leisure and entertainment.

"This trend offers great potential for Vietnam’s business tourism sector, given the country's rich natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and rapidly advancing tourism infrastructure," said Ha Van Sieu, deputy director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

Situated in the Southern Key Economic Zone and serving as the southeast region's gateway to the East Sea, Ba Ria-Vung Tau is well-connected to Ho Chi Minh City and other areas by road, air, and sea. With its extensive coastline, pristine beaches, and significant tourism potential, the province is aggressively pursuing various tourism projects and high-end resorts, with a strong emphasis on business tourism to attract both domestic and international visitors.

According to Vung Tau Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Centre’s report, the province is home to 1,491 accommodation establishments offering more than 30,500 rooms. This includes 89 hotels with ratings ranging 1-5 stars, comprising 11 5-star, 17 4-star and 24 3-star hotels, capable of catering to a diverse range of tourists.

Tourism property along the coast of Ho Tram, Ba Ria-Vung Tau

Ba Ria-Vung Tau is advancing with major foreign investments, including the Wonderful World Theme Park in Bau Trung, the Atlantic luxury resort area, the Skybridge Dragon Sea international convention and exhibition centre, and the Ho Tram Strip complex. Prominent hotels like Pullman, Malibu, CAO, Marina Bay, and the Hera Palace Convention Center further enhance the region's appeal. With its modern and comprehensive infrastructure, Vung Tau is well-positioned to host prestigious events, significant conferences, and both regional and international cultural and tourism activities.

The province is also developing diverse tourism products, including conference-beach combos, wellness tourism, entertainment, sports, cultural tours, and eco-friendly experiences.

Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, Vice Chairwoman of Vung Tau People's Committee, said that recently, the city has become a favoured location for hosting large-scale events and welcoming many meetings industry events.

"Ba Ria-Vung Tau’s stunning beaches and scenic coastal road provide an easy and enjoyable exploration experience," said Huong. "The city’s improving tourism infrastructure is part of a strategy to establish Vung Tau as a premier international tourism hub, offering leisure, meetings and events, cultural, and ecotourism products that draw in about 6.5 million visitors each year."

Recognising transportation infrastructure as a driving force for development, Ba Ria-Vung Tau has been mobilising resources to complete numerous projects connecting the province's ports, regions, and internal areas.

In the last five years, the province's transportation system has been significantly upgraded, with several roads playing a pivotal role in local development. These include the Southern Inter-regional Expressway, which connects the region's port group; Phuoc Hoa-Cai Mep road, crucial for intra-regional connectivity serving Phu My-Cai Mep-Long Son-Vung Tau economic corridor; Road 991B links National Highway No.51 to the Cai Mep-Thi Vai port area, boosting cargo transport and logistics.

Last year, Ba Ria-Vung Tau launched three key regional projects: Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway, Phuoc An Bridge, and an expansion of the coastal road to Binh Thuan. The province is also advancing the Ring Road No.4 project, which will connect Ho Chi Minh City to Ba Ria-Vung Tau. These developments aim to alleviate traffic on National Highway No.51 and improve connectivity with Ben Luc-Long Thanh and Dau Giay-Long Thanh expressways.

Tran Thuong Chi, director of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Department of Transport, said, "Once finished, the coastal road will link Cai Mep-Thi Vai Port, Long Son Industrial Park, and petrochemical complex with the province's coastal tourism areas like Long Hai, Phuoc Hai, Ho Tram, and Binh Chau."

Ba Ria-Vung Tau among top choices for living in Vietnam Famous for its captivating natural beauty and rich cultural and historical heritage, the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau is rapidly establishing itself as one of the most desirable places to live in Vietnam.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau steps up FDI attraction The southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau is emerging as a prime investment destination in Vietnam, driven by a favourable investment climate and ambitious development plans.