HCM City’s new tourism development plan has been criticised as a waste of money since it involves letting off fireworks every weekend.

Critics say the city will promote itself better by keeping the streets cleaner and safer.

City Party chief Đinh La Thang told a recent meeting he has discussed the idea of asking businesses to sponsor the fireworks shows in the city during weekends and other holidays.

The city has raised more than VNĐ22 billion (nearly US$1 million) in sponsorship for the fireworks shows and VNĐ12 billion ($530,000) for the upcoming Lunar New Year Eve shows, he said.

But many people have questioned whether more fireworks shows are what the city needs right now.

Even though the money may not come from the city’s coffers, funds are needed for other problems such as traffic jams, flooding, pollution and the shortage of schools and hospitals.

HCM City ranks 18th out of the 20 fastest growing tourist cities in the world, with 9.22 per cent annual growth since 2009, according to a September survey by MasterCard. 

VNS