Vietnam An Emerging MICE Destination

Vietnam has identified tourism as one of the prime aggregators for its economy. To realise its long-term goals, the converging potential of MICE tourism will emerge as a vital aspect for the country.

- Sudipto Roy

Vietnam’s affair with the French started here. You will also know this city for its key role in the infamous Vietnam War. Regaining its former glory as the booming business centre of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is seeing a rapid growth in terms of international infrastructure to cater to the gradual increase in visitors. The total number of international visitors that visited Ho Chi Minh City in 2016 reached 5.2 million, an increase of 13 pc as compared to 2015.

The rise of the city’s tourism sector has made an important impact on the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) market as well. It has opened new avenues for the Ho Chi Minh City's tourism industry to position itself as an emerging MICE destination in Southeast Asia. Vietnam, in the recent years, has made a significant move to showcase itself as one of dynamic economies. What else could have worked better in terms of positioning itself as an attractive destination for international visitors?

Why Ho Chi Minh City?

According to McKinsey, one of the leading global consultancy groups, in the first six months of 2017, 17 pc of the visitors to Ho Chi Minh City came for meetings and businesses; higher than the regional average of 14-15 pc. This affirms Ho Chi Minh City has a unique appeal to the MICE market and in the years to come, the destination can put together its full potential to develop as a comprehensive MICE tourism hub, contributing to enhance the economic value of tourism in particular and help in the sustainable development of the city in general.