Positive outlook ahead for international tourism as recovery roadmap approved

Under the approved scheme, Kien Giang, Khanh Hoa, Quang Nam Da Nang and Quang Ninh which are home to international recognized tourist destinations are expected to receive foreign visitors on certain conditions, starting from November.

Though Ba Ria – Vung Tau is not among the five localities that are implementing the pilot scheme, Trinh Hang, director of the provincial Department of Tourism, said the locality will follow the move with keen interest to garner experience.

Ba Ria – Vung Tau will work closely with other localities, especially Ho Chi Minh City, in a bid to welcome back international visitors as soon as it is granted permission from the Government, he said.

Meanwhile, Binh Thuan, another locality in southern Vietnam, is also keen to receive back foreign travelers who bring back a large source of hard currency to local budget.

Many local travel operators, especially lodging facilities, have longed to welcome back foreign visitors, revealed Le Ngoc Ha, general director of Hoang Ngoc Resort in Phan Thiet City, adding the locality is working hard to get the nod from the Prime Minister. .

Ho Chi Minh City, the largest coronavirus hotspot in Vietnam, is also formulating a draft project aimed at welcoming back international tourists with vaccine passports in late 2021 and early 2022.

The city is planning international tourism promotions in December, a month earlier than scheduled. At present, several tourism businesses and foreign partners have been working together as part of efforts to design package tours for visitors.

Huynh Phan Phuong Hoang, deputy general director of tour operator Vietravel, suggested along with a pilot plan to reopen the country to international visitors, there should also be additional schemes for Vietnamese people to travel to countries that are to recognize Vietnamese "vaccine passports".

Vietnam is receiving passengers on charter flights, which incurs higher costs for passengers. The move will make the price of tours for foreign guests higher compared to other destinations in the region, she explained.

Tourism businesses also suggested that there should be a wider communication campaign aimed at helping foreign visitors gain greater insights into the country’s reopening to international tourism, a move which has been deployed effectively in regional countries such as Thailand and Singapore.