HCM City’s medical tourism spotlighted in Cambodia

A technician operates a modern medical equipment in Ho Chi Minh city's Oncology Hospital 2. (Photo: VNA)

Phnom Penh (VNA) – A Vietnam-Ho Chi Minh City tourism promotion programme took place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on June 19, highlighting the southern Vietnamese metropolis’ strength in medical services.

The event, co-organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia and HCM City Department of Tourism, featured screening of short video clips on culture, food, and tourism products, notably health-related ones, in the city; and a networking event for Vietnamese and Cambodian firms seeking mutual understanding and partnerships.

In her remarks, Deputy Director of the HMC City Department of Tourism Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu highlighted the city’s collaboration with and assistance for local travel businesses to complete their medical care packages.

The economic hub boasts 131 hospitals with high-qualification human resources and reasonable costs for health examination and treatment, she said.

Minister Counsellor Ngo Van Tuat at the embassy expressed his delight at the countries’ sound tourism partnership, as shown in the growing number of their people visiting the respective side.

In 2022, nearly 200,000 Cambodians came to Vietnam, ranking 4th among sources of foreign tourists to the country. In the first five months of 2023, the figure exceeded 167,000, accounting for 3.63% of the total number of international visitors to Vietnam. Meanwhile, Cambodia hosted more than 466,000 Vietnamese, ranking 2nd in the country’s foreign-arrival lineup. In the first three months of this year, the number of Vietnamese tourists to Cambodia reached over 200,000.

Minister Counsellor Ngo Van Tuat speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)

Tuat said Cambodian tourists, especially young people, often choose HCM City for its dynamism, while many include medical examination and treatment at the city's modern hospitals and clinics in their trips.

The diplomat hoped that the programme will help Cambodian firms and people know more about HCM City, opening up more business cooperation opportunities and pushing up the number of tourists to both nations.

He stated that the embassy is willing to act as a bridge connecting the sides in fostering their tourism partnership, contributing to stronger traditional relations and people-to-people exchange between the nations.

Prak Chandara, Under Secretary of State of the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism, speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)

Prak Chandara, Under Secretary of State of the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism, said he believes in the countries’ long-term relationship and good cooperation and solidarity, especially the bonds between their two sister cities – Phnom Penh and HCM City, will be increasingly consolidated and deepened./.

VNA