Participants at the 2024 HCM City Open River Swimming Championship and Stand-Up Paddle boarding Championship 2024. Local authorities are leveraging sports tourism to make its destinations more appealing. VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY HCM City is hoping to attract more tourists by combining sports with cultural and nature-based activities.

With its diverse range of landscapes from mountains to rivers and coasts, Việt Nam generally has great potential to grow sports tourism.

For instance, the 2024 HCM City River Festival, held in early June, left a strong impression on Hứa Trọng Nghĩa, an overseas Vietnamese visiting from Australia with his family.

They enjoyed activities such as river swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, jet skiing, and paragliding.

He said the experience made their trip to HCM City especially memorable.

Over its 10 days, the festival attracted over 1.3 million visitors, and hotel occupancy rose by 25–30 per cent.

Dr. Đoàn Mạnh Cương of Nguyễn Tất Thành University in HCM City said tourists often travel to support athletes or attend sports events, combining the trip with sightseeing.

But to develop sports tourism, localities need to invest in infrastructure, multi-purpose sports centres and event venues, he pointed out.

He also recommended attracting private investment in it and promoting the country through international sports organisations and the media.

Cương also called for specialised training programmes in sports tourism, event organisation, adventure sports guidance and sustainable tourism management.

Nguyễn Công Hoan, general director of Flamingo Redtours, said many localities have strong potential but need better coordination to design safe, appealing events and tour packages that link sports with sightseeing and culture.

According to the HCM City Departments of Tourism, Culture and Sports, the city has strong potential to host sports and cultural events that support tourism promotion.

Following recent mergers of neighbouring provinces with it, the city plans to organise themed events tailored to each area’s strengths.

Wards like Sài Gòn, Khánh Hội and Nhiêu Lộc will focus on activities that highlight the city’s rivers and canals, while Vũng Tàu Ward, Tam Thắng Ward, Cần Giờ Commune, and Côn Đảo Special Zone will host marine sports and festivals to promote coastal and island attractions. VNS