Ho Chi Minh City and Indonesia Strengthen Tourism Partnership, Opening Doors for New Travel and Business Opportunities, Here’s All You Need to Know

Published on November 30, 2025

Ho Chi Minh City and Indonesia have made their first move towards establishing a tourism partnership that is expected to be beneficial for both parties. This venture will seek to strengthen and develop bilateral tourism and focus on the potential for Halal tourism for Indonesia and other Muslim countries in the Asia Pacific. The partnership is anchored on the recently signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Indonesian Association of Tourism and Travel Companies and the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association.

The Indonesian Consulate General held the event in Ho Chi Minh City Sheraton Hotel as part of the tourism exhibition called “Indonesia: Gateway to Paradise.” It also featured a table-top meeting of the travel agencies of the two countries which focused on possible tourism cooperation and ways to increase market access for each other’s tourism sectors.

Tourism Cooperation: A Pathway to Growth

The tourism cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Indonesia is poised to create new growth opportunities in several key sectors. One of the primary areas of focus is Halal tourism, which is an important segment of Indonesia’s outbound tourism market. As the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, Indonesia’s tourism preferences are often shaped by Halal requirements, particularly around food, accommodations, and other services.

Ho Chi Minh City, with its bustling tourism sector, is already a favored destination for young Indonesian tourists. The Vietnamese city has become a popular spot for Indonesian travelers due to its rich cultural offerings, modern amenities, and close proximity. With more than 90% of Indonesia’s population being Muslim, Halal-friendly products and services are crucial in attracting Indonesian tourists. The Vietnamese city’s burgeoning Halal economy holds substantial promise, especially as both sides collaborate to ensure that Vietnamese businesses in Ho Chi Minh City obtain Halal certification for their products, ranging from food to cosmetics.

Halal Tourism: A Key Growth Driver

The Halal tourism segment has seen a notable increase in recent years, driven by the growing number of Muslim travelers seeking destinations that respect their cultural values. In Ho Chi Minh City, Indonesian tourists are particularly interested in Halal-certified products, especially food items such as bánh pía, a local sweet treat with durian filling. Durian is a beloved fruit in Indonesia, making bánh pía a popular souvenir for Indonesian visitors. By obtaining Halal certification for local products, Ho Chi Minh City businesses can boost their sales to Indonesian tourists and also explore export opportunities to Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei, where Halal products are in high demand.

This growing interest in Halal tourism is not just about meeting dietary needs; it extends to providing an overall experience that aligns with Islamic values, including family-friendly activities, prayer facilities, and accommodations that cater to the needs of Muslim travelers. As a result, the cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Indonesia is expected to strengthen the region’s tourism offerings and attract a broader demographic of travelers.

Ho Chi Minh City’s Tourism Appeal

Ho Chi Minh City continues to be one of Vietnam’s top tourist destinations, with a wide range of attractions that appeal to international visitors. In 2025, the city welcomed nearly 80,000 Indonesian tourists, making Indonesia one of the largest source markets for Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism industry. This figure represents nearly half of the total Indonesian visitors to Vietnam, showcasing the growing connection between the two regions.

Tourism officials in Ho Chi Minh City are optimistic about the potential for expanding this relationship. The city’s tourism appeal lies in its blend of modernity and tradition, with attractions such as the War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, and vibrant districts offering a mix of historical, cultural, and shopping experiences. The city is also well-positioned to promote new forms of tourism, such as culinary tours, marine tourism, and cultural tourism, especially following the recent administrative merger with Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Binh Duong provinces.

With new tourism offerings in marine and culinary tourism, Ho Chi Minh City is poised to attract even more international visitors, particularly from Indonesia. The region’s diverse tourism landscape promises an enriching experience for travelers, and the growing cooperation with Indonesia will help further position the city as a prime destination for both leisure and business tourism.

Indonesia’s Appeal to Ho Chi Minh City Tourists

On the other side of the equation, Indonesia is also an attractive destination for Ho Chi Minh City’s travelers. Known for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Indonesia offers a range of experiences that appeal to different types of tourists. Bali, with its world-renowned beaches and resorts, is a particularly popular destination, as are cultural landmarks like the UNESCO World Heritage site of Borobudur and the unique wildlife of Komodo National Park.

The vibrant tourism scene in Indonesia provides an excellent opportunity for Ho Chi Minh City residents to explore new destinations, and this potential for mutual tourism growth is a major focus of the collaboration. By strengthening partnerships between tourism management agencies, airlines, and hospitality industries in both regions, the two sides can ensure that travelers have a seamless experience when traveling between the two destinations.

Future Prospects for Bilateral Cooperation

As the global tourism industry continues to evolve, both Ho Chi Minh City and Indonesia are keen to embrace new trends and innovations in the sector. The signing of the MoU between the Indonesian Association of Tourism and Travel Agencies (ASITA) and the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association is a step towards formalizing this collaboration. The MoU aims to boost tourism exchanges and strengthen the partnership between the two regions, particularly focusing on facilitating easier travel, sharing expertise, and expanding tourism-related services.

The growth of tourism between Ho Chi Minh City and Indonesia has already had a positive impact on the local economy, particularly in terms of generating jobs, increasing foreign exchange earnings, and stimulating the growth of the hospitality, transportation, and retail sectors. By continuing to work together, both destinations can unlock new opportunities for sustainable tourism development, making travel between Ho Chi Minh City and Indonesia more accessible and appealing to a wide range of travelers.

A Promising Future for Tourism

The deepened partnership between HCM City and Indonesia augurs well for the two sides’ tourism. With the focus on improving travel experience and economies for both locations, the two sides will be able to satisfy the exigencies for the modern traveler. Given the focus on the travel industry tourism partnership between the two states will be economically beneficial. Given the continued growth of HCM City and Indonesia as the premier tourism destinations in Southeast Asia, the partnership will be beneficial in the long term.