A scientific conference on the assessment and development of tourism resources in Thủ Đức City took place with the participation of many leading experts, managers, and lecturers from universities. The conference, chaired by Assoc.Prof.Dr. Võ Thị Ngọc Thúy, who leads the project, brought together representatives from various departments and sectors, tourism research experts, and travel businesses to evaluate the tourism development potential of Thủ Đức City and propose practical solutions.
The conference gathered many experts in the tourism field. The event was attended by many high-level representatives such as:
- MA. Trần Trung Hiếu – Deputy Head of the Culture and Information Office, People’s Committee of Thủ Đức City
- Ms. Nguyễn Thị Thu Sương – Acting Head of the Science Management Office, Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City
- Ms. Nguyễn Thị Thanh Thảo – Head of the Tourism Resource Development Planning Office, Department of Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City
Along with them were experts, tourism researchers, and lecturers from many universities in the fields of tourism and service management.
The conference focused on discussing the current state of Thủ Đức City’s tourism resources, untapped potential, and strategic directions for sustainable tourism development. The main issues raised included:
- Assessing the current state of tourism resources in Thủ Đức City
- Regional linkages in tourism development: current situation and solutions
- Developing tourism human resources: current situation and orientation
- Strategies for developing specific types of tourism such as:
- Medical tourism – leveraging the advantages of high-quality healthcare facilities in the area
- MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) tourism – exploiting the strengths of modern infrastructure
- Waterway tourism – utilizing the river system to develop ecological tourism, rowing boat experiences, and floating markets
- Cultural tourism – connecting with the unique heritage, architectural, and artistic values of the region
Furthermore, the conference also addressed the role of digital technology in tourism, emphasizing the application of smart tourism to enhance visitor experiences, optimize marketing activities, and manage tourism more effectively.
At the conference, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Võ Thị Ngọc Thúy, former Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, presented tourism growth forecasts for Thủ Đức City and proposed three development scenarios for the 2023-2030 period:
- Growth with low but focused investment – Concentrating on exploiting existing resources, developing tourism by leveraging natural and cultural potential without requiring large investments.
- Breakthrough growth – Increasing investment in infrastructure, services, and strong tourism promotion strategies to make Thủ Đức City a prominent tourism hub of Ho Chi Minh City.
- Fast and sustainable growth – Combining socio-economic development factors, applying digital technology, and developing tourism in a way that protects the environment and conserves resources.
Among these, the “Breakthrough growth” scenario was prioritized for implementation by the leaders of the Thủ Đức City Party Committee. With the goal of transforming Thủ Đức City into a modern tourism center, this strategy will focus on upgrading tourism infrastructure, developing innovative tourism products, strengthening regional linkages, and attracting investment from businesses.
The conference provided many multi-dimensional perspectives from experts and managers, creating an important foundation for policy planning and tourism development strategy for Thủ Đức City in the future. The solutions proposed not only focused on economic growth but also aimed at building a sustainable, smart, and culturally rich tourism ecosystem.
