According to Deputy Director of the HCMC Department of Tourism La Quoc Khanh, the Tourism Festival aims to advertise attractive tours and promotional programs to travelers.

The Tourism Festival 2008 will also have cultural and art performances, including a singing contest for staffs of travel companies, a photo contest about HCMC, a presentation contest for tour guides, etc.

The Southern Food Festival will introduce special cuisines of restaurants that meet national and municipal standards.

The event is held each April by the HCMC Department of Tourism in cooperation with the HCMC Tourism Association. The first festival was held in 2004.