Turn urban parks into 'magnets' to attract tourists

Possessing many parks located in central locations, large cities in Vietnam such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang have not yet effectively exploited their tourism value. Experts and managers believe that, if strategically invested, parks can completely become attractive destinations, contributing to shaping the urban green tourism brand.

Parks - untapped treasures

In the modern urban life, parks are considered “green lungs” that have both ecological significance and meet the needs of recreation, relaxation and entertainment of the people. This space is increasingly becoming an important part of the journey of discovery of tourists, especially young people, a group of visitors who always look for dynamic destinations, can take photos, enjoy cuisine , and participate in cultural events.

Tao Dan Park ( Ho Chi Minh City) is famous for its flower festival during Lunar New Year, but is still quite quiet all year round.

Dr Jackie Ong, Senior Lecturer in Tourism and Hospitality Management at RMIT University Vietnam, said: “Parks are ideal because they are accessible, flexible, often free, and suitable for a wide range of audiences. They can be a valuable tourism asset if properly exploited.”

However, in reality, most parks in large cities still function as public spaces and have not yet become tourism products. In Hanoi, Thong Nhat Park has a central location and a large area, but lacks an attractive story and tourist-friendly facilities. International visitors to the capital rarely include this park in their itinerary.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Tao Dan Park is famous for its flower festival during the Lunar New Year, but it is still quite quiet all year round, serving only the exercise and entertainment needs of residents. Bach Dang Park, located along the Saigon River with a "golden" location, mainly plays the role of a stopover or transit point for visitors and has not created a different experience. Meanwhile, the Zoo, a cultural and ecological heritage over 150 years old, has not been properly promoted as a heritage destination associated with biological education and ecotourism.

According to Dr Daisy Kanagasapapathy, Associate Dean of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management at RMIT, the problem is not that Vietnam lacks green space but that it lacks the leverage to turn parks into tourism products. Currently, most tourists only visit by chance and do not stay long. Without thematic design, cultural storytelling, experiential activities and synchronous infrastructure, parks find it difficult to fit into visitors' travel schedules.

In addition, many opinions also believe that the park is not yet well exploited in terms of economy. If strategically planned, the park can generate direct revenue from organizing events, renting space, food services and indirectly from spending of surrounding tourists. However, in Vietnam, this source of revenue is almost not taken into account in the problem of park management.

On the other hand, urban parks not only serve residents but also serve as “cultural windows” of the city. A well-organized park can tell a historical story, reflect local identity or recreate an artistic space. This is a factor that international visitors are very interested in, because they not only want to see the scenery but also want to experience the local culture in an authentic way.

Global lessons and a boost for Vietnam

According to urban planning experts, the park could become a global destination from neighboring countries. Specifically, Singapore has turned Gardens by the Bay into an icon, attracting nearly 12 million visitors in 2024; while the Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO heritage site, still welcomes millions of visitors each year.

Singapore's Gardens by the Bay from afar.

In Japan, Namba Parks in Osaka transformed an eight-story shopping mall rooftop into a vertical garden, where the annual cherry blossom festival brings in millions of dollars in revenue. South Korea has also succeeded in transforming the banks of the Han River into a series of vibrant parks with food trucks, night markets, and cultural festivals, now becoming the center of social and economic exchange in Seoul.

These lessons show that parks, if designed creatively, can transform from mere green spaces into tourist “magnets” while increasing international competitiveness.

Ho Chi Minh City is facing the opportunity to make that happen. According to the City Department of Construction, in the period 2020 - 2025, the City has developed more than 237 hectares of public parks, planted and renovated 42,500 trees, far exceeding the set plan. In 2025 alone, the target is to add 5 hectares of parks, 2 hectares of green space and about 6,000 trees. This is the foundation for the city to not only increase green areas but also exploit parks as a tourism product.

In terms of orientation, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism has identified the development of cultural-historical tourism and night tourism, in which the riverside park and central park are ideal spaces to organize events and promote culinary culture. The city's new urban planning also aims to maintain 7m² of green trees per person, aiming for a truly "green city".

In particular, a big boost is expected from the 720-meter-long pedestrian bridge connecting Bach Dang Wharf and Thu Thiem, inspired by water coconut leaves, which will start construction in 2025. With a design featuring a viewing platform, bicycle lanes, and modern amenities, this project promises to become a new architectural icon along the Saigon River, attracting visitors to Bach Dang Park, turning this place into a "natural stage" for cultural events, festivals, and cuisine.

Experts suggest that Bach Dang Park could become a nighttime tourist attraction with a night market, light shows, live music, and street food. Tao Dan Park should be kept “warm” with year-round exhibitions and cultural fairs. The zoo should be upgraded to a heritage and biological conservation center, linked with educational activities and ecotourism.

Experts suggest turning parks into cultural, artistic, and educational venues to exploit tourism potential.

In addition, the City needs to synchronize infrastructure such as artistic lighting systems, multilingual signs, standard toilets, and covered resting chairs. Parks should be connected to walking streets, museums, theaters, and traditional markets, creating a seamless cultural journey, extending the length of stay of visitors. In the digital age, parks also need to be youth-friendly, through creative check-in points, combined with promotion through KOLs, photographers, and travel bloggers.

It can be seen that Ho Chi Minh City is facing a "golden moment" to turn parks into "magnets" to attract visitors. As Dr. Daisy Kanagasapapathy emphasized: "The question is no longer whether parks can become tourist destinations, but when cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will seize the opportunity to lead this green tourism trend."

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/bien-cong-vien-do-thi-thanh-thoi-nam-cham-hut-khach-du-lich-20250922140629565.htm