A "green stream" for Vietnam’s tourism recovery

Forum on “green streem for Vietnam’s tourism recovery” was held on the morning of March 11, 2022 by Business Forum Magazine.

The Vietnam tourism industry has implemented methods to progressively adapt to the new normal and restore tourism activities in accordance with Government Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP of October 11, 2021.

Addressing the Forum on “green streem for Vietnam’s tourism recovery”, held on the morning of March 11, 2022 by Business Forum Magazine, Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director General of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, said a number of concerns should be addressed in order to generate a "green stream" for Vietnam's tourism recovery:

First, epidemic waves continue to pose a risk all over the world when they spread on a large scale and safety precautions are not carefully followed. This fact, together with the emergence of numerous new viral strains, is cause for alarm. Nearly 160 nations and territories are listed as level 4: "Do not travel" on the Consular Department's website, according to the most recent update on March 4, 2022.

In Vietnam, in addition to the statewide vaccination drive, there is still a need to pay attention to the huge disparities in vaccine coverage in some areas. Furthermore, there is no agreement among a few localities on processes and rules for safety management and isolation, as well as the current epedemic spreading across the country with mutations such as Omicron.

In order to reopen tourism activities effectively and safely in the near future, localities and tourism businesses must ensure uniform compliance with epidemic prevention and control regulations while strictly implementing Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP dated October 11, 2021 of the Government promulgating the temporary regulations "Safely adapting, flexibly, and effectively controlling the COVID-19 epidemic"; Decision No. 218/QD-BYT dated January 1, 2022 of the Ministry of Health promulgating the provisional guidance on medical professionals to implement Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP; and Instruction No. 3862/BVHTTDL-TCDL dated October 18, 2021 of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism implementing Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP dated October 11, 2021 of the Government.

Second, starting February 15, 2022, Vietnam is no longer restricted from conducting international regular flights. However, the present issue is how to encourage airlines and tourism businesses to work together to expand exploitation of international routes connecting vital markets to tourist locations in Vietnam while also ensuring that visitors are protected from the COVID-19 outbreak.

Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director General of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism

Third, in order to attract international tourists, Vietnam has to streamline entry and exit processes for them, such as unilateral and bilateral visa exemption policies, as well as electronic visa issuance for people from other countries, as mentioned prior to the COVID-19 epidemic. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism submitted Official Letter No. 440/BVHTTDL-TCDL dated February 15, 2022 and Official Document No. 464/BVHTTDL-TCDL dated February 17, 2022 to the Prime Minister on the results of the meeting and requesting to allow the application of the visa policy for visitors entering Vietnam as it has been done since before 2020, based on the results of the meeting. The Prime Minister was recently proposed by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Security to allow the same content.

Fourth, because few countries recognize Vietnam's Certificate of Vaccination, outbound travel activities are still hampered. The Tourism Industry will continue to recommend that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs work along with the Ministry of Health to deepen negotiations with other countries about the adoption of Vietnam's COVID-19 vaccination certificate.

Fifth, most firms are operating in moderation or have closed after two years of COVID-19, and tourist human resources have been reduced. So, tourism businesses must focus on developing new tourism offerings, upgrading material and technical facilities, and improving professional training for employees.

Sixth, Vietnam will confront stiff competition from other countries in the tourism sector. As a result, Vietnam must take steps to strengthen its competitiveness.

Seventh, the tourist business in Vietnam must conduct promotional and advertising efforts in order to get a competitive advantage over its strong competitors. We will concentrate on organizing campaigns for foreign tourist markets such as "Live Fully in Vietnam" and domestic tourism markets such as "Safe Travel - Complete Experience."

Eighth, existing support programs for Vietnam's tourist sector, including electricity price reductions, VAT reductions, land rent reductions, and travel license fee reductions, must be maintained at least through the end of 2023.

"To quickly seize opportunities, to recover tourism activities in the new context, while adapting to become a prestigious destination and have a competitive position in the international arena, the Vietnamese tourism sector requires the support of ministries and sectors, as well as localities in coordination with tourism businesses," Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh said.

In light of this, Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh believes that Vietnam's tourist industry will quickly recover from its current crisis.