After receiving over 24,000 votes from local and foreign visitors within a three-month period, ${bigcity_Ho_Chi_Minh_City:”Ho Chi Minh City”} has now concluded and made public its “100 Excitements” intended to promote the city’s image as a tourist destination. The list, which was announced on February 25, provides the top ten locations of each of the 10 categories, including city attractions, shopping venues, entertainments joints, local dishes, cultural events and sites, souvenirs, hotels, coffee shops, restaurants and city tour programs.
Though there are some who find the list impressive, it had generated more mixed opinions from many local expats. They argued that most of what is commonly considered a favorite spot, a notable must-see and a must-taste have been excluded from the list. Some people have expressed how Minh Long ceramics should have been included in the souvenir category while at the same time they wondered why bun thit nuong and bo hue were never mentioned in the food category. Restaurants deemed favorite both by locals and tourists like the Café Terrace at Saigon Center, Lemongrass and Temple Club restaurants were also missing. In addition, votes were said to be both from local and foreign, yet no foreign cuisine was mentioned in the list of restaurants topped by Com Nieu, Mandarine, Maxim’s An Nam, Ngoc Suong, Ngon, Pho 24, Song Nu, Viet Nam House, Wrap&Roll and Sai Gon Boat.
In contrast, others argue that the list seems to discount the local expats’ views. According to Christophe Lefebvre, administrator of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (CCIFV), the Caravelle rooftop (Saigon Saigon) bar rightfully belongs to the list of entertainment joints. On the other hand, a U.S. expat advisor of a NGO in Vietnam, who had been residing in the country for eight years, also notes how the Caravelle Hotel in downtown HCMC should have been in the top ten hotel list. However, as the determination of the listed ‘excitements’ was done by random votes and looked after by a judging board from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Department of Industry and Trade, as well as of tourism reporters, it definitely holds a lot of credit. As everyone could develop one’s own favorites, the organizing board asserts that the stir about the conciseness and reliability of the list is a result of a few who intend to enforce their personal preferences to the tens of thousands sharing their opinions.
Looking Into More Details
The campaign may have succeeded in showcasing the city’s unique characteristics as a tourist destination. Yet, if tourism is to be strongly promoted, HCMC needs to pay more attention to other details greatly affecting the city’s tourism industry. For one, the considerable number of pickpocket incidences is enough to scare off discern travelers. Public restrooms, if not well-maintained, would be as equally discouraging. The sanitation of local eateries and restaurants needs some improvement as well.
Better tour guides and more professional services are believed to greatly contribute to its improvement. In addition, English signboards and well-translated guidebooks should be made more available to better guide the foreigners. Many have noted that a number of tour guides are not that acquainted with the destinations they are promoting. Thus, a breed of knowledgeable guides would spell a huge difference. Better services for the elderly and disabled are also another thing to be definitely considered.
But greater concerns lean towards the higher cost of HCMC tours and Vietnam in general compared to other destinations like Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia. Thus, the biggest problems are the high hotel rates. Despite the costs and the few aspects that need a little ‘fix’, most people generally enjoy their visit to HCMC. Located close to the Mekong Delta, Saigon had proved to be a great advantage with its interesting sites that are conveniently available. If necessary, steps are taken to further improve Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism, so that the city shall become even more visit-worthy and a much better holiday destination than it already is.