Visitors explore HCM City by double-decker water bus. VNS Photo Thu Hằng

HCM CITY — HCM City welcomed more than 2.28 million foreign tourists in the first five months of the year, up 32 per cent year-on-year, driven by a series of festivals and tourism promotion events, according to its Department of Tourism.

During the period, nearly 14 million domestic tourists visited the city.

Tourism revenue surged by 14 per cent during the period to VNĐ76 trillion (US$2.98 billion).

The city plans to organise a range of festivals and tourism promotion events throughout this year to boost tourism.

The second HCM City River Festival will take place from May 31 to June 6, featuring a wide range of culture, cuisine, and entertainment activities.

More than 100 businesses have announced their promotion programmes for shopping, dining, sightseeing, and tour packages for locals and tourists during the festival.

More than 50 tour packages with discounts from 10-60 per cent have been launched, including Sài Gòn River sightseeing by double-decker water bus, and Sài Gòn-Củ Chi and Sài Gòn-Cần Giờ river tours.

There are 17 waterway tourism products, including seven regular routes and 10 new ones, serving locals and tourists.

The department hopes that the festival will attract a large number of domestic and international tourists.

HCM City has set a target of receiving six million international tourists and 38 million domestic tourists this year. Tourism revenue is expected to total VNĐ190 trillion ($7.8 billion).

To realise this goal, the city will continue to diversify tourism products and events and improve tourism products and services. —VNS