A performance of a kylin and dragon dance at the Garden Mall in HCM City’s District 5 on June 8. VNS Photo Thu Hằng

By Thu Hằng

Kylin and dragon dances have been performed in HCM City’s District 5 twice a month to serve domestic and foreign visitors since this month, according to the District 5 People’s Committee.

The performance of kylin and dragon dance is part of efforts to attract visitors and help revive the tourism sector, said Trương Minh Kiều, chairwoman of the District 5 People’s Committee.

The district authority has worked with Fiditour-Vietluxtour to develop the Ký ức Sài Gòn Chợ Lớn (Sài Gòn Chợ Lớn Memories) tour, a new tour that highlights the historic and cultural heritage of the Sài Gòn Chợ Lớn area, Kiều said.

Two national historic sites in the district – House No 5 at Châu Văn Liêm Street where President Hồ Chí Minh stayed before embarking on his journey abroad for national salvation in 1911, and the Detention Area of Chợ Quán Hospital where Trần Phú, the first Việt Nam Communist Party General Secretary, was imprisoned and sacrificed his life – are highlights of the new tour.

The tour to be launched in the summer holiday will also introduce cultural landmarks of the Hoa ethnic community [people of Chinese origin], she added.

According to Nguyễn Ngọc An, deputy general director of Fiditour – Vietluxtour, District 5 is famous for its rich historical relics, iconic architecture, and cultural identity, making it an exciting tourist destination to explore.

Besides popular tourist landmarks in the city's downtown such as the Independence Palace and the Notre Dame Cathedral, a visit to District 5 will take tourists to the Chợ Lớn (Big Market) area, where historical monuments and ancient architecture have been maintained over hundreds of years.

New tourism products

A wide range of new tourism products have been launched in HCM City with a concerted effort from tourism authorities and businesses to boost the city’s tourism as the COVID-19 pandemic is under control, according to Lê Trương Hiền Hòa, deputy director of the city's tourism department.

Helicopter rides over the city and cruises on the Sài Gòn River are among the new diversified products that are very attractive to locals and visitors.

The helicopter tour was launched in late April, offering a new and unique experience for locals and tourists.

The tours are operated by several travel firms with prices ranging from VNĐ4-4.9 million (US$172-210) per guest.

TSTtourist launched the first Sài Gòn river sunset tour by luxury yacht last month, giving tourists an exciting experience on the charming Sài Gòn at sunset.

The two and a half hour tour with a cost of VNĐ2.5 million ($107) receives guests every weekend.

These two new tours targeting the middle and high-income customer segments highlighted the city’s tourism promotion campaign ‘Welcome to HCM City’ that runs from April to September to bolster the city’s image as a vibrant, friendly and safe travel destination.

Visitors on the Sài Gòn River sunset tour by luxury yacht. Photo courtesy of TSTtourist

Phan Thị Thắng, deputy chairwoman of the city’s People’s Committee, said the tourism sector played an important role as a driving force of economic recovery and development.

New tourism products would help attract more tourists and keep them longer to explore the city, Thắng said.

In an attempt to diversify tourism products, the city’s authority has suggested that tourism authorities in districts work with travel firms to develop at least one new tourism product per district.

Last month, Củ Chi District introduced a new agricultural tour to explore fruit gardens and enjoy local specialties as well as the performance of đờn ca tài tử (southern folk music).

Lê Đình Đức, deputy chairman of the Củ Chi District People’s Committee, said the district was focusing on developing agritourism to increase the value for farm produce and create jobs for locals. VNS

Visitors board a boat to visit fruit gardens in Củ Chi District's Trung An Commune. Photo Hoàng Tuyết