The tourism industry of Ho Chi Minh City posted a revenue of over VND56.6 trillion ($2.19 billion) in the first quarter of the year, increasing 26.7% year-on-year, according to the city’s Department of Tourism.

In March alone, tourism revenue is estimated to reach more than VND19.24 trillion ($745 million), up 20.5% year-on-year.

During the three-month period, the city welcomed nearly 1.64 million foreign visitors and over 8.57 million domestic tourists, surging 18.2% and 6.3% year-on-year, respectively.

To attract more visitors, the department will continue introducing the city's destinations and distinctive tourism products, and take measures to improve tourism service quality.

To boost waterway tourism, the department has surveyed routes linking Ho Chi Minh City with provinces in the Mekong Delta and the southeastern region, re-launching 14 routes featuring tourist speedboats and cruise ships from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta provinces, including two connecting to Cambodia. The city plans to develop 22 new routes between Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, and Cambodia.